Public Interest Law Society recognizes need for legal aid
Cheri Sparacino, a second-year law student, had one reason she wanted to become a lawyer.
She wanted to help people.
The Public Interest Law Society at Widener Law Commonwealth is a student group on campus that aims to bridge the gap between law students and those seeking legal advice or advocacy in the community. The group hosts events on campus such as Wills for Heroes, expungement clinics and other services connecting people who may not be able to afford legal services with legal advice and services.
In October, PILS celebrated National Pro-Bono Week by collecting new items for the local YWCA Women’s Shelter, and having guest speaker, Steve Turner, Dauphin County Bar Association’s Pro-Bono Lawyer of the Year, speak to students about his experiences in the community providing pro-bono legal services to victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.
“ProBono is like salve for the soul,” Turner said when speaking to a room of law students about his career. “
Also in recognition of National Pro-Bono Week, a round-table discussion about the current art exhibit on campus “Painting Invisible People” by Mary Lapos was held. The talk focused on the need for legal representation of underprivileged and misunderstood groups of people.
In addition to the activities during National Pro-Bono Week, PILS is currently scheduling a Will for Heroes event. The Wills for Heroes clinic provides will writing services for emergency first responders. An expungement clinic is in the works for the spring, too. PILS also works with the Dauphin County Bar Association on many of their legal aid events.
“The most important part about volunteering is that law students get to practice skills they learn,” Sparacino, president of PILS said. “You are not just helping people, but you are applying the legal skills you have learned as a law student. It makes you feel good to be able to help.”
Jo-Anne Thompson, a second-year law student, originally from Kingston, Jamaica, added that PILS works to understand the needs of the community and creates legal clinics and events that address those needs.
“There sometimes isn’t a lot of emphasis on legal aid and public service law,” said Thompson. “It can be an under represented area. The goal of PILS is to bring more people together to make them aware of the legal needs in the community. Pro-Bono Week is one week out of the year, but our goal is to provide support to those in need year-round.”