What is PILA?

PILA is a student-run non-profit organization dedicated to promoting legal work that serves the public, and improves the quality of life for individuals in our community and elsewhere. To this end, PILA...

• raises awareness about the need for and rewards of pro bono and full-time public interest legal work;
• helps fund a Loan Repayment Assistance Program;
• funds grants for UW law students doing unpaid public interest legal work through an annual auction.

In February 2011, PILA celebrated its "Sweet Sixteen!" Since 1994, PILA has 189 public interest projects at organizations across the state and around the world.   Special note to alumni: Please click here to participate in the PILA Alumni Survey.

2011-2012 PILA Calendar:

PILA Brewfest - Friday, October 21, 2011

Thanks to all who showed up for this fantastic and fun-filled event. A special thank you Fremont Brewing Co. for providing the beer!

2012 PILA Benefit Auction - Friday, February 10, 2012, 5:00 p.m.

Thank you to all those who attended the 2012 PILA Benefit Auction (Feb. 10, 2012). A special thank you goes out to all of our volunteers and to all those who donated items, cash, or services. This year's event was a success!

Apply for a PILA grant

Do you need funding for your public interest legal project? Please visit our Grants page to more about applying for a PILA grant. Applications for 2012 PILA Grants will be due in April 2012.

Congratulations to the 2011 PILA Grant Recipients!

Alexander Baron, Ministry of Water and Energy of the Federal Rep. of Ethiopia
Alec Paxton, Forum for Law, Women & Development (Nepal)
Rebecca Reingold, The Center for Reproductive Rights (New York, NY)
Alyssa Pomponio, Bay Area Legal Aid (Oakland, CA)
Sarah McFadden, Snohomish County Public Defender Association
Jay Singh, Southern Poverty Law Center (Montgomery, AL)
Amy Bernard, Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (New Haven, CT)
Heather Hightower, Disability Rights Washington
Allison Sherrill, Northwest Justice Project
Elizabeth Sher, Federal Public Defender (Seattle)
Janet Gwilym, Washington Defender's Association, Immigration Project
Carolyn McConnell, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Seattle)
Nathan Collins, International Justice Mission (Rwanda)
Alice Jones, Montana Innocence Project (Missoula, MT)
Irina Nikolayev, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
Lauren McElroy, Texas Civil Rights Project (Austin, TX)
Sarah Derry, Unemployment Law Project
Amy Shebeck, Columbia Legal Services
Tony Ramsey, Solid Ground: Family Assistance Program

Click here for more about PILA's Grant Program.