The Ohio Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) is a non-political, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting legal involvement in the public sector. To this end, PILF collaborates with the Career Services Office to raise awareness of the many opportunities available to students who wish to use their legal education to serve the public interest.
PILF has helped Moritz students work across the country, and in some instances, around the globe providing a variety of services to survivors of domestic violence, children of prisoners, victims of predatory lending, migrant farmworkers, Native Americans, people with developmental disabilities, and others.
PILF fellows have worked at a number of organizations, including Columbus Legal Aid, the Equal Justice Foundation, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Federal Reserve Bank, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and the United Nations.
In addition to raising awareness, PILF helps reduce inevitable financial barriers by offering fellowships to law students who accept low-paying or non-paying public interest positions during the summer. PILF summer fellowships are funded, in large part, by the proceeds of the annual PILF Auction, attended by hundreds of people who help raise thousands of dollars. PILF welcomes students from all backgrounds, political beliefs, and legal agendas who strive to utilize legal education to benefit underserved populations and the public interest.
Ways to Support
The greater legal community is an important part of the work of PILF! Providing PILF students with great opportunities to help exercise their growing legal skills through volunteer work and hiring our fellows are just a few hands-on ways the legal community can help the mission of PILF.
Donate
Donations of auction items, monetary donations, or even funding a full fellowship are some ways the legal community can help PILF through donations.
Support Student Legal Work
Providing PILF students with opportunities to do legal work serving the public interest is one of the best ways the legal community can support PILF!
Faculty and staff support plays a vital role in PILF’s success in providing fellowships to Moritz students working in the public interest. Since many of Moritz’s faculty and staff have had former careers in the public interest, their insights and guidance are an essential link in fulfilling PILF’s goals and those of the students we support. Some of the other ways faculty and staff support PILF:
Volunteer
Faculty and staff are among the most active contributors to the annual PILF Auction, serving as auctioneers and energetic bidders. Volunteering their time to help and attend the PILF Auction adds to the enjoyment and fun that everyone has at our annual Auction.
Donate
Whether donating an evening dinner with students, an autographed book they’ve authored, or simply attending PILF events, the faculty and staff at Moritz contribute much to PILF’s success.
There are lots of ways students can support PILF at Moritz.
Volunteer
PILF is one of the largest and most active student-run organizations at Moritz College of Law. PILF needs a large number of volunteers to help run the numerous activities we hold in order to raise money. Students can volunteer at Trivia, Pong for PILF, Supplement Sales, and the Annual Auction and Gala, just to name a few.
Donate
PILF has numerous opportunities throughout the year for students to help PILF financially, including the supplement sale, the annual Auction, and Pong for PILF.
Lead
The continuing success of PILF relies upon the outstanding leadership of the students who direct it each year. Being a PILF Board member provides a unique opportunity to manage a remarkable student organization that is also a non-profit. Students who lead PILF also earn hours toward a designation of Public Interest Fellow at graduation.