At the end of his 2L year, Sam Hodgkins-Sumner ’25 watched his classmates head off to Big Law summer associate positions paying upwards of $42,000. Then, he packed up his car and drove to New Orleans for his own dream job—an unpaid internship at the public defender’s office that was only made possible by a $4,500 stipend to help cover his rent and groceries.
“It’s called the incarceration capital of the world,” says Hodgkins-Sumner “But it’s also such a fascinating city in terms of both the really tough and unjust aspects but also the vibrancy and sense of resilience among the people who fight against mass incarceration.” In New Orleans, he was paired with a young lawyer who handled misdemeanors and minor offenses and an experienced public defender who took on murders, rapes, and other cases with a potential sentence of life without parole.
The work was grueling—and exhilarating, Hodgkins-Sumner says. “Every day was different; it could be reviewing body cam footage of police officers, reviewing evidence, helping my supervising attorney develop his theory of the case, assisting in jury selection, writing motions before the court,” he recalls. Of course, one of the best parts was visiting with the clients, incarcerated or not, and learning about their experiences.”
“We’re so grateful to have alumni who have done well and want to give back to enable the next generation of attorneys to develop our craft.”
Sam Hodgkins-Sumner ’25
That kind of in-the-trenches experience is what makes BC Law’s Public Interest Law Foundation so crucial for students who aspire to public service careers. “I definitely could not have accepted the internship without the PILF stipend,” says Hodgkins-Sumner. “I am so grateful because that experience not only helped me grow as a law student, it also helped me secure a job in a public defender’s office for after graduation.”
PILF, the Public Interest Law Foundation, began in 1984 and awarded its first stipends—of $1,000 each—to just four students. Forty years later, it has evolved into a transformative force whose impact extends far beyond the summer experience. Survey data reveal its role in shaping career trajectories: 64 percent of recipients report an increased likelihood of pursuing public interest law careers, while 90 percent of the remaining participants plan to incorporate pro bono work into their future practice.
These ripple effects demonstrate how PILF’s initial investment continues to strengthen the public interest legal sector, one student at a time. The impact is particularly impressive given that PILF is an entirely student-run organization, unlike similar programs at peer institutions.
“It’s so special what they’re doing for their peers at BC Law, and for increasing access to justice in the broader community,” says Michelle Grossfield, director of BC Law’s public interest and pro bono programs, who works closely with the PILF Board. She has seen the program grow, though not enough to outpace rising demand and cost of living increases. “We’re still not meeting the need for those who need it most,” she says. “And we’re still behind our peers, many of whom fund stipends at $5,000, $6,000, or even higher.”
That is why fundraising remains a top priority for PILF members, who must juggle fundraising and related board responsibilities with classes and other obligations. Every spring the students host the PILF Auction that assists in raising funds for the next year’s stipends. The board has also helped secure grants from outside organizations, including most recently a $225,000 Cummings Foundation grant to help increase stipend amounts. Professor Ingrid Hillinger, one of PILF’s two faculty advisors, established her own endowed fund and regularly exhorts alumni and partners to donate as well.
“There are two ways to make sure the public interest is served,” Hillinger said in a recent PILF video. “One is to do it, and the other is to support it.”
One of the largest sources of support is BC Law’s alumni community, many of whom serve as mentors and site supervisors in addition to making financial contributions.
“We wouldn’t be able to have the stipends program without alumni involvement,” says Hodgkins-Sumner. “We’re so grateful to have alumni who have done well and want to give back to enable the next generation of attorneys to develop our craft.”
Learn how you can help fund PILF’s summer stipends at bc.edu/givepilf. Every gift counts towards the Soaring Higher campaign and helps BC Law reach its $100M fundraising goal.