Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) Summer Funding Application

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The 2025 PILF Summer Funding application deadline is April 14, 2025.

Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) Summer Funding is raised by PILF throughout the school year by the PILF Board through in-kind donations and administrative support. The number of students who receive funds depends on the amount raised during the year. Due to limited funding, PILF can only disburse funds to a limited number of recipients. Summer funding amounts range from $500 to $2,500.

Note: You cannot receive PILF Summer Funding and SPIEP simultaneously for the same hours worked. Thus, you may only receive PILF Summer Funding and SPIEP if your position extends outside the set dates for SPIEP (5/27/2025-7/17/2025) OR if you will use up all your SPIEP funds before the end of the SPIEP contract period. Please visit the SPIEP website for more information.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be a current 1L, 1E, 2L, 2E, or 3E at the time of application submission.
Applicants must have secured a position, identifying their employer, supervising attorney, and working schedule. Eligible positions must meet the following criteria:
- Related to Public Interest, including roles with organizations or government entities dedicated to legal representation or policy advocacy for disadvantaged and underrepresented groups, or legal clinics representing underserved groups. Positions with prosecutor or public defender offices, at state or federal levels, qualify for funding. Eligible positions may be located outside Los Angeles County and California. Judicial externships do not qualify.
- Involving a commitment of 35 hours or more per week.
- Either unpaid or paying under $6,000.

Requirements:
Complete applications consist of this PILF Summer Funding Application and the documents below. These documents may be submitted to Dropbox after submitting this application.

Required Documents include:

Letter or email confirming summer employment/activity from your employer.
Resume with name, grades and class rank information omitted, as these will not factor into the application's score. ***Please make sure to put your name in the file name.
Completed and signed Form W-9.

The grading rubric can be found here.

The Committee will not accept incomplete or late applications.

If you have any questions about this application or PILF Summer Funding, contact the Public Interest Department at publicinterestdepartment@lls.edu.

Applicant Information

First Name

Middle Initial

Last Name

LLS Email

Current Class Standing

Summer Employment Information

Employer Name

Supervisor Name

Supervisor Email

Start Date

End Date

Hours expected to work per week

Public Interest Involvement

60% of total score

List all public interest activities in which you have participated during law school. Provide the number of hours per year you dedicated to each. Include internships, clinics, volunteer work, student groups, other extracurriculars, and anything else you feel is relevant. Use bullet points. (40% of total score)

List all public interest activities in which you participated during the three-year period preceding your enrollment in law school. Include any part-time or full-time jobs, as well as volunteer activities that total more than 20 hours/year. Use bullet points. (20% of total score)

Personal Statement

40% of total score

In 500-1000 words, explain how a PILF grant would help support your current work in the community and your financial situation. The committee will evaluate your statement on what motivates you to do public interest work or the type of career you aim to pursue after you graduate. You may discuss how your legal work contributes to your community or any hardships you overcame to reach your goal. You do not need to reiterate your job or volunteer experience but feel free to provide any context that might help give the Committee a clearer picture of you.

Required Documents

You will be required to upload the following documents after you submit this application:

Letter or email confirming summer employment/activity from your employer (i.e. SPIEP confirmation letter, email with NLG Coordinator for LO training/dates, timesheet documenting activities, employment letter, etc.).
Resume with name/contact information, grades, and class rank information OMITTED.
Completed and signed copy of a W-9 form.

I understand that I cannot receive PILF Summer Funding and SPIEP simultaneously for the same hours worked.

I certify that all statements and information provided in this application are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. If any substantial changes occur to my application between the submission of the application and the receipt of summer funds, I will inform the Public Interest Law Department at publicinterestdepartment@lls.edu. This includes a change of status in employment and/or any significant changes to the application.