The UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law has received a gift from Rose Law Firm as part of its 200^th anniversary philanthropic initiative. The law school will use the funds to create two public interest fellowships.

“Rose Law Firm has been blessed to survive and thrive for two centuries,” said managing member Robyn Allmendinger. “It is in that spirit of gratitude that we have committed to give back to our community in honor of our 200th anniversary. These gifts will benefit several legal aid, nonprofit, and educational institutions in our state, including the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law.”

The public interest fellowship is an emerging initiative at Bowen. Through these fellowships, the school will provide monetary stipends to student fellows filling unpaid positions providing public service during the summer semester. The program supports Bowen’s core values of access to justice, public service, and professionalism by providing opportunities for students who wish to pursue careers in public interest legal work.

“We are delighted to participate and support this new and exciting initiative,” said Brian Rosenthal, member and chair of the 200th anniversary committee. “For nearly a half a century, the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law has served our profession and community. Both our firm and our state have been the beneficiaries of its well-trained students. Our donation is a reflection of the law school’s continued public service mission, which we hope continues well into the future.”

The goal of the program is to increase students’ exposure and training in public interest work and thereby increase their post-graduation employment prospects in these areas of the law.

The law school will help students identify fellowship opportunities. Interested students will secure employment with the entity for which they wish to work. Once students are matched with a particular program, students will apply to the law school for funding. After reviewing applications, a law school committee will choose students for participation. Rose Law Firm’s gift will provide ten weeks of financial support for two summer fellows.

“Many of our students attend law school to make a difference in their communities,” said Theresa Beiner, dean of the law school. “We are pleased Rose Law Firm identifies with this need and sees the value in supporting these opportunities. We are grateful for their support.”

The law school plans to award the first fellowships during summer 2021 if public health considerations permit it.