Public Interest Law Association Hosts Most Successful Auction Yet, Nine Boyd Students Awarded PILA Grants
There was a lot of interest in this year’s Public Interest Law Association (PILA) Auction. The 16th annual auction raised more money than any other auction in PILA history.
Money raised at the auction is funding nine full and half summer internship grants, totaling $39,000, for the following UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law students working in the public sector: Heather Armantrout, Matthew Cook, Angel Getsov, Chelsee Jensen, Brianna Lamanna, Haley Lewis, Wynn Tashman, Michael Viets, and Steven “J.T.” Washington.
“We are so excited to see the great things that these students will do this summer and beyond! Their commitment to public interest is wonderful, and we hope their passion to serve their community will continue throughout their legal careers,” said Shaina Plaksin, 2014-15 PILA co-president. “PILA is extremely grateful to all of the donors and volunteers who contributed to the auction’s success this year.”
This year’s auction was held Feb. 19 at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez was recognized as the Silver Staircase Honoree, an annual award given by PILA to a member of the legal community for their commitment to public interest.
This year’s grant recipients are working at Nevada Legal Services, Kids’ Court School, American Civil Liberties Union, Southern Nevada Senior Law Program, Office of the Nevada Attorney General (Las Vegas and Reno), UNLV Office of General Counsel, and Clark County District Attorney’s Office. Read more about the work they’re doing below.
Named Grant Recipients:
Brianna Lamanna, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck PILA Grant RecipientClark County District Attorney's Office
As an intern for the Clark County District Attorney's Office, Brianna Lamanna splits her work between the Appellate Division and a litigation team. Her work with the Appellate Division consists of researching and writing State's responses to defendant's appeals on various issues. As part of a litigation team, she presents in court under the Nevada Student Practice Rule, as well as completes research projects for attorneys, writes motions and memos, and assists attorneys in trial preparation
Michael Viets, McDonald Carano Wilson PILA Grant RecipientAmerican Civil Liberties Union of Nevada
Michael Viets works at the ACLU of Nevada as a legal intern. In his position he works on briefs pertaining to U.S. Constitutional issues, tracks state-level legislative action and their interaction with civil liberties, and works on any legal developments falling within the purview of the ACLU. He reports to the ACLU's lawyers and will work to facilitate the ACLU's actions within the state to better protect everyone’s liberties both as citizens and as people.
Heather ArmantroutNevada Legal Services
As an AmeriCorps Legal Fellow with Nevada Legal Services, Heather Armantrout has the opportunity to remove legal employment barriers for economically disadvantaged people. She serves unemployed or underemployed people who are actively seeking to join the labor market. She helps to expunge or seal eligible minor criminal records, to correct errors in criminal records, and to expunge criminal records still appearing in commercial databases. She also assists clients to obtain a driver’s license needed to secure or travel to a job, to obtain or regain an occupational license, and to correct a poor credit report that is preventing employment
Matthew CookNevada Legal Services
Matthew Cook is engaged in the AmeriCorps Fellowship position at Nevada Legal Services. The AmeriCorps program focuses on sealing criminal records, which allows disadvantaged individuals to pursue job opportunities. The program’s clients are individuals who want to reintegrate into society, but have limited financial means to seal their criminal records alone. By assisting the indigent, he has the opportunity to improve their overall standard of living
Angel GetsovSouthern Nevada Senior Law Program
Angel Getsov works with the Southern Nevada Senior Law program in Las Vegas, a non-profit organization that provides free legal services for senior citizens. Angel has the opportunity to learn about various law fields, such as elder law, wills, trusts and estates, and others. He also has the opportunity to shadow experienced attorneys during client counseling, initial interviews, and court appearances
Chelsee JensenOffice of the Nevada Attorney General
Chelsee Jensen is interning with the Attorney General's office in the Department of Criminal Justice. The unit is responsible for prosecuting some of Nevada's most serious offenders. She conducts legal research as well as writes briefs, memos and motions. She also attends court hearings and trials
Haley LewisOffice of the Nevada Attorney General
Haley Lewis works with the Bureau of Litigation - Appellate Division of the Office of the Nevada Attorney General in Carson City. The Attorney General’s Appellate Division conducts certain appeals, including federal habeas appeals, inmate litigation appeals, and civil appeals. It oversees all appeals before the Nevada Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. She will likely be doing research and preparing briefs for these appeals. As a certified Student Practitioner, she is also permitted to make courtroom appearances
Wynn TashmanKids' Court School
Wynn Tashman works with Kids' Court School, a court education program at the Boyd School of Law. The program is offered as an educational support to children pending participation in the courtroom process. He works as an educator, applying a curriculum based on empirical evidence and using stress inoculation techniques to reduce children's anxiety. As a dual-degree (JD/Ph.D.) student, he also works as a researcher, developing an educational intervention in support of LGBT youth in schools and legal settings, based on the Kids' Court School model
Steven “J.T.” WashingtonUNLV Office of General Counsel
Steven “J.T.” Washington is interning with the UNLV Office of General Counsel (OGC). He primarily assists the OGC with a group of appeals that will be before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. His duties include researching, writing briefs, memos, and motions. Additionally, he attends meetings and hearings and will possibly appear in court
