On Friday, May 5, the Public Interest Law Center (PILC) held its annual awards ceremony virtually to celebrate the clinics’ accomplishments and honor some of PILC’s most outstanding students and partners. Glass Professor of Public Interest Law Paolo Annino presented the awards and was joined by Clinical Professors Daynica Harley, Rima Nathan, and Darby Kerrigan Scott in speaking to the recipients’ character and merit. Christina Portuallo (’22) received the Clinical Legal Education Association’s Outstanding Clinical Student Award, which is given to one clinical student per law school who has demonstrated excellence in class participation and client advocacy. Portuallo made significant contributions to the Elder Law Clinic and Children’s Advocacy Clinic (CAC). According to Professor Annino, during her time with the CAC, Portuallo dove headfirst into complex child client cases, dealing with clients’ trauma and displaying true empathy and compassion. Sofia Azpurua (’23) and Olivia Ingram (’23) received PILC’s Advocate on the Rise Award for demonstrating significant growth in public interest advocacy. Professor Annino shared a note from Professor Terry Coonan saying Azpurua is “brilliant, hardworking, dedicated, and achieves her goals." Professor Harley said of Ingram, “To this day, our clients ask about Olivia; the trust Olivia has built with our clients has opened doors and torn down walls for the clinic.” The students also spoke about what their time in the clinics meant to them and thanked their professors and classmates for the meaningful experiences they had while participating in PILC clinics. PILC also honored Yesica Ramirez and Linda Lee from The Farmworker Association of Florida for providing guidance and assistance to the student participants of the Alternative Spring Break Program.

Posted May 15, 2023