Each commencement, in recognition of our students’ hard work, the law school presents the Equal Justice Award (EJA) to a deserving student who has performed pro bono legal work in an extraordinary way. The 2020 EJA recipient is Claire Brown, an exceptional student whose commitment, ambition, and dedication is evident in all that she does. She dedicated numerous hours volunteering in the public interest sector, completing 529.4 hours of pro bono.
Photo: Pictured is Claire Brown receiving the Larry Margolies Award
Claire completed pro bono work with the Tarrant County Bar Association’s Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans Clinic, assisting attorneys and veterans with drafting and processing case files, conducting client intake, and drafting wills. Similarly, through her work with the Legal Aid of Northwest Texas -Community Revitalization Project, the First Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Brown researched case law and drafted numerous memorandums related to community development, fair housing, low-income, and non-profit organizations.
Ms. Brown was an integral part of the Law Fellowship, a student organization whose mission is to facilitate summer internships for students seeking opportunities in the public interest sector. For her commitment and dedication to public interest, Claire was selected by the Association of Corporate Counsel, Dallas-Fort Worth for the Larry Margolies Award. This award was named after Larry Margolies, a former chapter board member who was active in pro bono efforts around DFW. As a Law Fellow, As a PILF and recipient of this prestigious award Ms. Brown completed a six-week internship with Catholic Charities in the Immigration and Legal Services Department Claire assisted with citizenship workshops and clinics. She drafted documents and forms to help guide her clients on a path towards citizenship.
Claire is unapologetically committed to closing the access to justice gap. She has tremendous passion and drive to help those in need. After passing the Bar she hopes to work for Catholic Charities, continuing her work with immigrants.