2009 GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:
SAMEE C. BURRAGE – NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
SaMee is ranked in the top half of her law school class. SaMee says as a child she donated items to the local Women’s Shelter and rang bells for the Salvation Army which shaped her interest in public service. SaMee interned for a federal district court judge and says that the skills she obtained helped her in her role as a Journal member. SaMee was a recipient of both the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship and the J. William Fulbright Scholarship. She received the Black Law Students Association Committee Appreciation Award and the Foley & Lardner LLP 2008 Diversity Scholarship as well as the Northwestern University School of Law Scholarship.
TIFFANY ELKING – JOHN MARSHALL LAW SCHOOL
Tiffany ranked in the top 3% of her law school class. Tiffany says “Although I strive to do well academically, it has always been more important to me to feel involved, to give back, and to be a leader.” Tiffany lived in Costa Rica while working at an orphanage and studied in Barcelona Spain. She has worked for several elected officials and for the City of Chicago Law Department. Tiffany’s is a member of the John Marshall Law Review, a Mock Trial Coach and participant, a member of the Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Team, a student representative of the Faculty Student Honors Committee and a member of the Women’s Law Caucus Member. Tiffany is a Herzog Scholar, a continuing member of the Dean’s List and the winner of a CALI Award for Constitutional Law II.
AMY HUNTER - UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF LAW
Amy is ranked in the top third of her law school class and received an award as a Harno Scholar and a CALI Award for Legal Research. She was a member of the Fredrick Green Moot Court Competition. Amy won both the ABA Negotiation Competition and The ABA Client Counseling Competition. Amy traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana with the Student Hurricane Network to volunteer with local attorneys to provide legal assistance to the residents affected by Hurricane Katrina. She is a member of the University of Illinois Women’s Law Society and participates in the WLs mentorship program. Amy is active in the Student Bar Association and served at the Vice President during her second year.
ANNA LUSERO – CHICAGO-KENT COLLEGE OF LAW
Anna ranked in the top 20% of her law school class. Anna says “I have dedicated my life to public service and will continue to do so as a lawyer.” Anna volunteered with the Legal Assistance Foundation and the Working Hands Legal Clinic. She participated in the Expungement Summit and volunteered at a Home Rescue Fair. Anna is an activist for immigration and human rights. She has organized speaker events to educate students about issues effecting under-served communities, such as the treatment of immigrants in detention centers, the treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, human rights violations in the War on Gaza, and labor rights violations against immigrant workers. Anna is a member of the Hispanic-Latino Law Student Association, the Kent Justice Foundation, the National Lawyers Guild, the Immigration Law Society, and Access to Justice. She received the Chicago-Kent Achievement Scholarship, the Jenner & Block Diversity Scholarship, the PILI Dolores K. Hanna Honorary Internship Award, and a CALI for Legal Writing.
ALISON SAUNDERS – NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW
Alison is ranked 2nd in her law school class. Alison says “Public Service has always been something I have tried to include in my activities.” Alison volunteers for community help or outreach programs such as bring Easter baskets to the children at Hope Haven. Alison is a member of the Women’s Law Caucus, the Public Interest Law Society, the International Law Society, the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, and the Latino Law Student Association. She served as President of the Street Law Organization (2009-2010). Alison is a member of the NIU Law Review and its Research Editor (2009-2010).
2009 PUBLIC SERVICE STIPEND WINNER:
Sara Garza Resnick - Staff Attorney, First Defense Legal Aid (FDLA)
Sara describes her job as "the perfect blend of community organizing, defending clients and political advocacy." Sara manages the FDLA's Illinois Juvenile Justice Committee grant. The grant's purpose is to study if FDLA'S services lower juvenile disproportionate minority contact in the criminal system. The grant focuses on statistical information to support and track community outreach and education. Sara works with Chicago's Police Accountability Committee on city ordinances and state legislation on issues of police brutality and reforming criminal procedure.
