After a decade as a teacher, input from mentors and some soul-searching, Jill, JD ’92, came to American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) to pursue a service-minded law career.
In the years that followed, countless veterans, children and people with mental, physical and behavioral health challenges have been positively impacted by Jill’s service in local and state government. “I always wanted to help the vulnerable,” Jill says. “AUWCL gave me the tools to navigate systems that don’t always serve those with the greatest need.”
Jill was challenged and inspired as an AUWCL student. Seminars exposed her to diverse viewpoints; sections offered more concentrated and substantive connections and grounding; and law clinics gave her practical experience to fuel her passion and growth.
“The disability law clinic resonates with my heart,” Jill says, referring to her time with Professor Bob Dinerstein, who retires this year after a remarkable 40-year tenure. “The intimacy of the clinic gave me the opportunity for first-hand exposure before actually getting out there to practice.” The experience helped early on when Jill successfully argued an appellate case before the Court of Veterans Appeals on behalf of a disabled client.
Now serving as a grants compliance specialist in Palm Beach County, Florida, Jill thinks back on her values-driven path to and through AUWCL and draws inspiration from life-changing support and experiences. In celebration of this legacy, Jill includes AUWCL as a charitable beneficiary in her will, focusing on clinics and scholarships for law students pursuing experiences and service that she holds dear.
Jill’s gesture of appreciation offers a way to honor her past, preserve resources in the present and impact the future. “AUWCL and the clinical experience was formative for me. It’s the backbone to my identity and built the skills I now bring to the table in my professional and personal life.”
“I was grateful for my law school scholarship and experience in the clinical program and want to give back. Doing so during my career has not always been possible, so I am especially glad I can provide support through my estate.”