Summer Stipend Interest Meeting Feb. 23

OXFORD, Miss. — The Public Interest Law Foundation is hosting a meeting on Monday, Feb. 23 at 12:30 p.m. where Clinical Programs Manager Cori Benefiel will discuss the eligibility requirements and application process for summer public interest work stipends.

 Any student interested in pursuing public interest positions should plan to attend.

The stipend is distributed each year to support students working in public interest law areas during the summer months through PILF, the Dr. James D. and Sarah Meyer Turner Public Interest Law Support Fund and the John Paul Stevens Foundations Fellowships.

In many instances, these positions are unpaid, so the stipend helps alleviate the financial burden on students so they can pursue these opportunities.

Each year, PILF hosts an annual auction in order to raise money for the stipends with the goal of helping as many students as possible who choose to work in public interest law. Last year, more than $25,000 was raised at the event. Additional funding is provided through UM Law’s participation in the JPS Fellowship Program and through the Turner Fund.

 Beneficiaries of the stipends have worked in public defender’s offices, social services departments, district attorney offices and with organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union.

“The PILF stipend provided essential support for my food and living expenses throughout the summer,” said Sharonique Layton, a law student who spent last summer working in the DeKalb County Public Defender’s Office in Atlanta. “Thanks to this funding, I was able to fully immerse myself in my work and learning experience without the stress of financial burdens. I’m incredibly grateful to PILF for making this opportunity possible.”

Layton added that her experience reinforced her pursuit of a career in public service. 

“I witnessed the real-world impact of public interest work and how dedicated advocacy can truly change lives and uplift communities,” she said.

Law student Maria Tyma spent her summer working in the Florida Department of Children and Families where she 

“Over eight weeks, the stipend covered living expenses in Florida and frequent travel tied to my internship responsib

ilities,” Tyma said. “The support from PILF allowed me to seize this meaningful experience, one that not only deepened by understanding of child welfare systems, but also solidified my dedication to advocating for vulnerable children and families in need."

The meeting will be held Monday at 12:30 p.m. at the Robert C. Khayat Law Center in room 2086. Applications for the stipend will be open from Feb. 23 – March 16.

Anyone with questions can reach out to Cori Benefiel at cbenefie@olemiss.edu or Cara Jourdan at ccjourda@go.olemiss.edu

More Testimonials from Summer Stipend Recipients:

“This past summer, I spent 7 weeks interning with the Nashville District Attorney's Office. My time with the DA's Office has been the most beneficial work experience gained through my law school journey, solidifying criminal prosecution as my preferred career path.

I spent the majority of my time in general sessions court, but also assisted in the pre-trial discovery, witness prep, and case strength evaluation for pending trials in criminal court. In court, I conducted 15 preliminary hearings and 1 bench trial, requiring the direct and cross-examination of witnesses; meetings with victims, responding officers, detectives, etc.; and collaboration with defense counsel. 

Outside of the courtroom, I completed research memos advising ADA's on matters such as the elevation of charges, sentencing enhancement factors, and the potential for seizures of evidence. I can't speak highly enough about the folks at the Nashville DA's Office and the opportunity to dedicate my work to public service. Special thank you to the Public Interest Law Foundation at Ole Miss Law and the Turner Scholarship program for assisting me along the way.”

 – Evan Clay

The program placed a strong emphasis on our learning, with practice sessions, classroom-style instruction, and opportunities to dive deeper into collateral issues through guest speakers. I even had the chance to explore new areas of law and present my findings to attorneys, which was both challenging and rewarding. I was fortunate to have a wonderful mentor, and all of the attorneys I worked with took a genuine interest in supporting my success. Overall, the experience was both educational and inspiring, and I’m very grateful to have been part of it.”

 – Natalie Johnson

“I am so grateful to the Public Interest Law Foundation for supporting my summer internship with the Shelby County Public Defender’s Office in Memphis, Tennessee. Their summer funding

My biggest takeaway was the importance of client-centered advocacy, ensuring that clients feel empowered and in control of their own cases. I also learned that public defense is about giving people second chances and opportunities to move forward, rather than focusing solely on punishment.

This experience has been deeply meaningful and has strengthened my commitment to pursuing my career in public interest law, and it is all thanks to the Public Interest Law Foundation!”

– Madison Jones

“Last summer I worked for both Phillips Black, a nonprofit public interest firm, and Capital Defenders in Jackson. Both these positions were unpaid.

Receiving the PILF stipend meant that I had financial support that allowed me to pursue the type of experience and work opportunities that will shape my legal career. Without PILF, my past two summers may have looked very different as I would have been forced to sacrifice several career and personal development experiences due to financial constraints.

My biggest takeaway from my experience this summer is the Incredible value of public defenders, and the sheer amount of work that goes into developing a defense case between attorneys, mitigation specialists, and paralegals.”

– Cara Jourdan

“Last summer, I had the opportunity to intern with the Nashville Public Defender’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. The PILF stipend played a crucial role in making this experience possible. It lifted the financial burden of housing and living expenses, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the work. Because of this support, I was able to focus on learning from dedicated attorneys, building meaningful connections, and developing skills that will guide me as I grow into the attorney I aspire to be. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity.

Through this experience, I gained a deeper understanding of criminal law in practice and how it affects real people every day. Being involved in client meetings, court hearings, and case preparation helped me see the real-world impact of the criminal legal system. It solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in criminal defense and using the law to advocate for those who need it most.”

– Lakiowa Milan

 

“I spent the last half of my summer working for Mississippi's Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel. During my clerkship, I was able to work on several research projects, sit in on expert consultations, and participate in team brainstorming meetings. However, the most memorable experience I had was meeting two of the office's clients: a man who has been on death row at Parchman for 30 years and currently the only woman on Mississippi's death row. It is hard to explain what it felt like to speak with them and hear their stories, and realize they are just human beings like the rest of us. To be sure, some of them have done terrible things, but if our legal system is going to work as it is supposed to, they (and everyone) deserve and need advocates to fight for them.

Capital Post-Conviction holds prosecutors and defense lawyers accountable and reminds everyone that you cannot trample a defendant's rights or cheat to get a win and call it justice or fail to zealously represent your client and call it a day. Capital Post-Conviction Counsel really is the last line of defense for these defendants. I developed a really strong respect and admiration for the women that worked in that office - fighting an uphill battle day after day, case after case. I am so grateful that I got to have this experience.”

 – Amber Morrison

 

“Over the summer, I got the opportunity to work with the ACLU in Jackson, Mississippi. The work that we did was great. We got to work on some hot button issues of our current time. PILF gave me the opportunity to do important work.