Three Syracuse University College of Law students will spend this summer interning with nonprofit public interest law organizations as a part of Equal Justice Works' Summer Corps program. James Egan, Jacqueline McCain and Jessica Witenko will each receive a $1,000 education award voucher through this national AmeriCorps-funded program. Egan will intern with Texas Defender Service in Austin, Texas; McCain with Gulfcoast Legal Services in St. Petersburg, Fla.; and Witenko with MFY Legal Services in New York City.
The 2006 Summer Corps participants are first-year and second-year law students from 113 law schools. They will each serve at least 300 hours in public interest internships, providing critically needed legal assistance to low-income and underserved communities in 42 states. Summer Corps members will also gain first-hand experience and legal skills in areas such as client intake, individual representation, research and writing.
"Working with underserved immigrant communities in Florida is challenging, but very rewarding work," says McCain. "Having just completed my first year of law school, I have the ability to improve the lives of persons who came to the U.S. seeking work, hope and better lives."
Summer Corps program participants work on a broad range of issues, including civil rights, community economic development, death penalty, disability rights, housing, domestic violence, education, public benefits and workers' rights. In addition, Equal Justice Works set aside 65 "Katrina Summer Corps" slots this year for students who are helping to provide legal assistance to hurricane survivors in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
