The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service

As an undergraduate student, Jillian worked as a peer counselor and trainer for Nightline, a volunteer, student-run organization that provided nightly counseling services for the Barnard College/Columbia University community. She continued volunteer work during law school as a tutor and mentor for the Pittsburgh Somali Bantu refugee community.

Max Walko is a 2012 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and received his B.A. degree in Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh. While at Pitt Law, Max was enrolled in the Criminal Prosecution Practicum.

While attending Law School, Max worked as a certified legal intern at the Montgomery County District Attorney's office. This valuable in-court experience lead Max to his current position with the Allegheny County General trials unit.

Joanne Kilgour is a 2012 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and received her B.A. degree in Philosophy with Honors at Carnegie Mellon University. While at Pitt Law, Joanne received the Dean's Scholarship and CALI Award. Joanne also served at Associate Editor for JURIST, was a member of the Environmental Law Council, and was a Peer Mediation Program Instructor at Local Charter High School.

Ms. Saint-Preux demonstrated her commitment to public interest in almost every facet of her life.  Upon graduating from college, she was selected to join “Teach For America” teaching high school math at a public school.  It was during this time that she decided to attend law school based on her interactions with students and their families who were socio-economically disadvantaged causing them to be particularly susceptible to the criminal justice system.

During Law School, Elizabeth worked as an intern at the Colorado State Public Defender's Office and also as a certified legal intern for the Family Law Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.  She was a member of the Pitt Law Women's Association, Phi Alpha Delta, and the Pitt Legal Income Sharing.   Ms. Orton plans to continue in her career path as a Public Defender.

Ms. Cook has worked with "Teach for America," and volunteered with the "America Reads Challenge." She also was selected to work as a Marshall Brennan Constitutional Literacy Fellow and taught at Propel Braddock Hills, which is a low-income charter high school, teaching students about their fundamental rights. 

Elizabeth has worked with Programs for Living, Education, and Advocacy (PLEA), with the Criminal Defense Practicum, and the Prison Litigation Practicum as well as the Allegheny County Public Defender's Office and the Colorado State Public Defender's Office.