In September 2009, the Allegheny County Bar Foundation established the Public Interest Law Fellowship Program (PILFP) to provide stipends to public service attorneys who have shown exemplary performance and commitment in their fields of law, and demonstrate financial need.
Funding
The Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development generously provided the ACBF with a $100,000 grant to award stipends, over a two-year period, to qualified applicants.
Eligibility
Stipends will be issued only to eligible applicants or participants. An "eligible applicant" must meet and demonstrate the following requirements:
- Applicant must be an "Active" member of the ACBA;
- Applicant must be employed full-time by an ACBA recognized public interest Legal Services Agency, such as the Public Defender's or District Attorney's Office or by an ACBA recognized civil legal service agency as defined by the ACBA dues structure
- Applicant must commit to an additional year of full-time employment at respective public interest legal service agency if he/she receives stipend;
- Applicant must be admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an attorney or otherwise qualified under Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rule 311 (Attorney Participants in Defender or Legal Service Programs);
- Applicant must submit follow-up report to the Committee indicating any changes in employment or financial status.
Applicants must apply each year to be considered to receive funding.
Awards range from $1,500 to $4,000 annually.
Click here for Program Overview.
Click here for application.
Deadline for applications is Monday, August 16, 2010.
For more information, contact Lorrie Albert at 412-402-6640 or lalbert@acba.org.