Spotlight - PILSA
Public Interest Law Student Association
named UND student organization of the year.
The UND School of Law Public Interest Law Student Association (PILSA) received the University of North Dakota 2009 Outstanding Student Organization Award at a ceremony on April 24. “It was gratifying to win the overall award this year,” said PILSA secretary Sarah Schaar, “It is nice to be recognized for our efforts that served so many people in the community.”
This is the second consecutive year PILSA was recognized for their efforts. In 2008, the organization received the Excellence in Volunteering and Service Efforts award. A cornerstone program run by PILSA is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Volunteers prepared and filed over 440 federal and state income tax returns for members of the Grand Forks community who were likely unable to afford traditional tax services. Program coordinator and third-year law student Tobis Funk said, “Our IRS consultant informed us we were far and away the most productive site she oversees, which included a 75.9% increase over last year in the number of returns electronically filed.” Through developing relationships and a commitment from PILSA members, the program has gown since its inception in 2006. Previous totals of people served through the VITA program include 25 in 2006, 125 in 2007, and 315 in 2008.
In addition to the VITA program, PILSA organized a panel discussion to educate members of the law school community about the responsibility of lawyers to provide pro bono legal services. In conjunction with the Multi-Cultural Law Caucus, PILSA also held a Community Service Week in April to spotlight and encourage student efforts to give back to their communities with planned service activities.
Outgoing PILSA Law School Education Committee Chair Justin Keppinger said, “PILSA encourages both law students and members of the community to think beyond the negative stereotype of lawyers. Attorneys who contribute in some way to the public good can have a huge impact on society.”
For its final public event of the academic year, PILSA held its second annual People’s Law School on April 27th . The People’s Law School is open to the public and highlights important legal issues, such as employment law and landlord/tenant rights.
