A P I L

ADVOCATES FOR PUBLIC INTEREST LAW

Each spring APIL selects several students to receive grants for working at public interest law agencies during the summer. The students must work 300 hours, at least 150 of which must be worked in the agency’s office. All work must be done under the direct supervision of an attorney and must be legal in nature. Grants are awarded only to students applying to volunteer with organizations dedicated to serving the under-represented and low-income in Hawaii. The agency must also be a non-profit organization (tax-exempt under 501(c)(3)).

To apply for a grant the students must submit a resume and application form explaining what agency they intend to work for, what type of work they will be doing, how this work assists the low-income population and the student’s dedication to public interest law. The application must also include a statement signed by the supervising attorney. After APIL receives the application an interview is scheduled with the Grantee Selection Committee. A decision is then made based on the written application and the interview.

The APIL by-laws state that students should by chosen using the following criteria:

(1) Scholarships, grants, and internships shall be limited to students and alumni of the William S. Richardson School of Law.

(2) The funded activity should involve the recipient’s legal skills.

(3) The funded activity should give voice to issues or groups underrepresented in society.

(4) If the funded activity is in an organization, the organization should be not-for-profit and non-governmental.

(5) Preference should be given to candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to public interest concerns.

(6) Weight should be given to the significance and impact of the funded activity and the needs of the community served.

Rev. 7/10