TJSL and Students Honored by the Legal Aid Society of San Diego
June 6, 2014
On Friday, May 30, Thomas Jefferson School of Law was honored by the Legal Aid Society of San Diego (LASSD) during the organization’s annual Pro Bono Program Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Assistant Dean for Career Services Beverly Bracker accepted the award on behalf of TJSL. For the fifth consecutive year, the Legal Aid Society of San Diego presented TJSL’s Pro Bono Program with an Outstanding Service Award. Many TJSL students and alums have volunteered their services to the clinics at Legal Aid Society. Those clinics include Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Program, Restraining Order Clinics, Unlawful Detainer Clinic, Youth & Children at Risk, Homeless Advocacy Project and Conservatorship.
In addition to the award presented to Thomas Jefferson School of Law, a number of TJSL law students and graduates received the prestigious Wiley W. Manuel Award, named after the first African American Justice on the Supreme Court.
“Being recognized by the Legal Aid Society of San Diego for pro bono legal service is one of the most memorable experiences of law school so far,” said Michelle Evenson (3L). “The pro bono team at Legal Aid are some of the warmest and kindest people I have had the pleasure of learning from. Today was made even more special by the support of the TJSL faculty and staff in attendance. I could not be more honored to be a student at TJSL and receive this recognition.”
“I am humbled to be a part of such an amazing group of award recipients,” said Michelle Mance (3L). “Volunteering with Legal Aid of San Diego was such a rewarding experience and I am truly honored to receive such a meaningful award among such great people.”
The luncheon was held at the Westin Hotel in downtown San Diego and was attended by more than 140 people. The luncheon brought the local San Diego pro bono community together to recognize the efforts of the volunteers and organizations committed to the LASSD outreach and pro bono programs over the past year.
Gregory E. Knoll, Executive Director and Chief Counsel of LASSD, opened the luncheon by giving thanks to the attendees for “helping to bridge the ever widening gap to access to justice.” This year, volunteers donated more than 20,000 hours to the pro bono programs worth an estimated value of $3,000,000.