Public Interest Experience (PIE) Prize at Drexel Kline School of Law remains a cornerstone of the school’s commitment to public service, providing financial support for students dedicated to public interest careers. By offering modest stipends to offset expenses during unpaid summer internships, the initiative helps ensure that students can pursue their passion for public service with less financial hardship.

“For law students who want to pursue public interest careers, funding remains one of the biggest hurdles,” said Rashida T. West, Director for Pro Bono and Public Interest Programs. “The PIE Prize offers more than financial support—it is an investment in students dedicated to serving others. Easing unpaid internships’ financial strain allows them to immerse themselves in the work that fuels their passion fully.”

Public interest law supports access to legal representation for all individuals, regardless of financial status. However, many organizations dedicated to this mission operate on limited budgets, making it difficult to compensate student interns. Financial assistance makes it possible for law students committed to public service to gain valuable hands-on experience without having to choose paid opportunities instead.

The 2024 PIE Prize Awardees

Last year’s PIE Prize awardees exemplify the breadth of public interest law. Some worked directly with clients, ensuring access to legal representation, while others focused on systemic reform to make justice more equitable. From courtroom advocacy to shaping policies that protect vulnerable communities, their work highlights the many ways legal professionals can drive meaningful change.

• Anna Moher worked with the Defender Association of Philadelphia, representing individuals in criminal proceedings and navigating a fast-paced courtroom environment. “I had the chance to advocate for clients at preliminary hearings and bail reviews, and seeing the impact of even a small legal victory reaffirmed my decision to become a public defender,” she shared.
• Jessica Vickers spent the summer with the Delaware Office of Defense Services, where she analyzed police body camera footage, interviewed clients, and assisted in case strategy. One of her legal memos exposed procedural violations that ultimately led to charges being dismissed. “That moment showed me the tangible impact of public defense,” Vickers explained, emphasizing how thorough legal work can change the outcome of a case.
• Alison Maxwell interned at the Bucks County Public Defender’s Office, conducting jail interviews and assisting attorneys with trial preparation. “Speaking with clients shortly after their arrests helped ensure they had immediate legal support,” she recalled. “Giving them space to share their stories was one of the most rewarding parts of my summer.”
• Robert Kaplowitz, a former theater professional turned law student, spent his summer at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. While conducting legal research and drafting motions, he witnessed firsthand how prosecutorial decisions impact communities. “A research project I worked on led to a proposal for reducing unnecessary pretrial detention,” Kaplowitz noted, underscoring how legal advocacy extends beyond individual cases to influence systemic reform.
• Ashton Sirgey interned at the Mazzoni Center, assisting clients in legal matters affecting the LGBTQ+ community. The work ranged from name-change petitions to civil rights cases, strongly focusing on ensuring individuals could navigate legal systems with dignity. “One of the most powerful moments was handing a client a legal name-change decree, knowing how much it meant to them,” shared Sirgey, highlighting the deeply personal impact of legal advocacy.
• Madi Leventhal divided the summer between two organizations: Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity (PLSE), where she assisted clients seeking record expungements, and the Bucks County Solicitor’s Office, where she gained experience in legal research and government law. “At PLSE, I helped people clear records holding them back from jobs and housing,” Leventhal reflected. “Seeing their relief when a case was successfully expunged made every long day worth it.”

How to Support the Program

PIE Auction: Party with a Purpose

Each year, the Drexel Kline Law community gathers for the PIE Auction, which directly funds stipends for students taking unpaid public interest internships during the summer.

This support helps ensure aspiring public interest lawyers can gain critical hands-on experience without financial strain. The auction is more than a fundraiser—it is a commitment to sustaining a pipeline of dedicated advocates who serve our communities.

Through this collective effort, faculty, alumni, students, and supporters celebrate and invest in the next generation of public interest attorneys.

The 2025 PIE Auction was held on March 6, 2025 at the Kline Institute of Trial Advocacy.

Photos by Ray Bailey

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Be sure to designate “Public Interest Program/PIE Auction” in your gift.

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