FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Squire Patton Boggs Foundation recently announced its 2018 class of Public Policy Fellows. Among them is Katie Rose Martin, a third-year law student from West Virginia.

The foundation is rooted in a history of civil rights advocacy, originally funded with lawyers' fees from a pro bono employment discrimination case. Since 2004, the foundation has awarded fellowships to exceptional law students who demonstrate a steadfast commitment to public service. 

"I decided to become an attorney so I could make a difference," Martin said. "I want to change people's lives for the better and leave a lasting impact on the world. I can do that in my backyard."

Martin, who served as the 2017-18 student coordinator for the school's Pro Bono and Community Engagement program, will be mentored by alumnus and former United States Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater (J.D. '80), who is a partner of Squire Patton Boggs in Washington, D.C. The firm has offices in 20 countries on five continents, with strong working relationships with independent firms in Europe and Latin America.

"Katie Rose has an interesting mix of experiences to bring to the study and practice of law," Slater said. "Her desire to live a life that is bigger than self is exactly what we look for in our Squire Patton Boggs Foundation Fellows. I know her contribution as a future practicing attorney will complement the work of the more than 200 fellows who have participated in the program."

Martin's winning application is for a partnership with Home Restored, a rapid rehousing program for domestic violence victims in Northwest Arkansas. The program, funded by the Endeavor Foundation and operating under the auspices of the Peace at Home Family Shelter, works with victims, law enforcement and landlords to move domestic violence victims directly into safe and stable housing without the need for a residential shelter stay. The program provides direct services to victims, including assistance finding housing, cash payments, educational services — such as budgeting, asset building, personal safety planning — and more. Volunteers educate landlords and members of law enforcement about challenges faced by victims. This is the first year the Fellows have included a University of Arkansas student.

Martin's project, and others like it fall under the supervision and auspices of associate professor Annie Smith in her role as director of pro bono and community engagement.

Martin's analysis will include multi-state research and working directly with the staff of Home Restored, landlords, clients and government officials to define the scope of the problem of a landlord/tenant system: survey and interview landlords and clients to determine the prevalence of lease provisions that many undermine the safety and housing stability for domestic violence victims; and research laws and practices in other states to see whether the problem exists elsewhere and how it has been addressed successfully - including the use of education, legislation or impact litigation. 

The two-fold goal is to provide the staff of Home Restored and others working in the domestic violence space with an enhanced understanding of the challenges faced by victims trying to establish stable housing alternatives while in rental housing and to provide concrete policy proposals for addressing lease provisions in Northwest Arkansas.

 "We are delighted to keep setting milestones with our highly talented Class of 2018," said John Oberdorfer, foundation president. "We are committed to continuing to foster pro bono and public service in the US and globally."

"We are proud that the fellowships continue to have an enormous impact on the students, the public service organizations involved, and the countless people served by our Fellows through these organizations."

This year's Public Policy Fellowships were awarded to law students at 17 law schools who committed their summers to public service and to advancing public policy by working at nonprofit institutions, government agencies and international legal organizations. 

Other awardees include students include students from the American University Washington College of Law, University of California Hastings College of the Law, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, University of Colorado Law School, University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Collège d'Europe, George Washington University Law School, Georgetown University Law Center, Howard University School of Law, University of Miami School of Law, Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, University of Texas School of Law, University of Virginia School of Law, and Yale Law School.