School of Law Announces 2024 Summer Public Service Fellows

Russell Cothren

Top from left: Joshua Cauto, Emma Parr, Justyce Yuille and Averee Hutson; Middle: Nancy-Darling Kwetchou, C. Kalua Kahana, Emily Pearson and Johanna Day; Bottom: C. Joy Copu McCray, Riley Giberson, Ethan Lee and Zariya Williams.

The U of A School of Law is pleased to announce this year's cohort of 12 Summer Public Service Fellows. This year marks a record number of placements for the fellowship program, which provides promising law students with financial support to work for a public service employer over the summer. It is part of the law school's broader effort to fulfill the university's mission as a land-grant institution.

"This year, 12 exceptional students have been selected to participate in the Summer Public Service Fellowship Program," said Will Foster, Arkansas Bar Foundation Professor of Law and faculty director of the Public Service and Pro Bono Program. "Through the philanthropic support of our donors, they will have the chance to dedicate themselves fully to building skills, gaining invaluable experience and cultivating connections within the public service sector, while making a significant impact at their respective placement organizations."

This summer, the 2024 Summer Public Service Fellows will be working for federal and county courts, legal services organizations, legislative and policy-making entities and a federal administrative agency. Students will tackle issues such as domestic violence, housing, immigration, racial justice and wrongful conviction.

The program, now in its sixth year, was created by former law school dean Margaret Sova McCabe to encourage first- and second-year law students to pursue their interest in public service. To date, 56 students have been awarded fellowships.

2024 SUMMER PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOWS

Joshua Cauto, Raffaelli-Lineberger Public Service Fellow, will work for the Social Security Administration.

Johanna Day, Whetstone Public Service Fellow, will work in the Office of the Public Defender for the Augusta, Georgia, Judicial Circuit.

Riley Giberson, Public Interest Litigation Fellow, will work for the Honorable Holly Meyer, Circuit Judge for the 16th Judicial District in Heber Springs, Arkansas.

Averee Hutson, Public Interest Litigation Fellow, will work for the Honorable Johnnie A. Copeland, Circuit Judge for the 14th Judicial District in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

C. Kalua Kahana, Squire Patton Boggs Foundation Public Policy Fellow, will work for the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission.

Nancy-Darling Kwetchou, Gearhart Family Endowed Diversity Fellow, will work for Arkansas Immigration Defense.

Ethan Lee, Public Interest Litigation Fellow, will work for Legal Aid of Arkansas.

C. Joy Copu McCray, Ben J. Altheimer Public Service Fellow, will work in the Jefferson County Court Offices.

Emma Parr, Whetstone Public Service Fellow, will work in the Dallas County Public Defender's Office in Dallas, Texas.

Emily Pearson, Public Interest Litigation Fellow, will work in the Office of the Chief Counsel of the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

Zariya Williams, Whetstone Public Service Fellow, will work in the Sebastian County Prosecutor's Office.

Justyce Yuille, Raffaelli-Lineberger Public Service Fellow, will work with the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund in Washington, D.C.

About the University of Arkansas School of Law: The law school offers J.D. as well as an advanced LL.M. program, with classes taught by nationally recognized faculty. The school offers unique opportunities for students to participate in pro bono work, externships, live client clinics, advocacy and journal experiences, and food and agriculture initiatives. From admitting the Six Pioneers who were the first African American students to attend law school in the South without a court order to graduating governors, judges, prosecutors, and faculty who went on to become president of the United States and secretary of state, the law school has a rich history and culture. Follow us at @uarklaw.