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Equal Justice Works Congratulates 2024 Regional Public Interest Award Winners

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Equal Justice Works, the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law, today announced the recipients of the 2024 Regional Public Interest Award, recognizing eight law students for their exemplary commitment to public interest law and pro bono work. 

“These inspiring law students have gone above and beyond to demonstrate their passion for increasing access to justice in their communities,” said Aoife Delargy Lowe, vice president of law school engagement and advocacy at Equal Justice Works. “We are thrilled to congratulate each of these eight winners of our 2024 Regional Public Interest Award on their commitment to public service.” 

These inspiring law students have gone above and beyond to demonstrate their passion for increasing access to justice in their communitiesdedication to public service.

Aoife Delargy Lowe /
Equal Justice Works Vice President of Law School Engagement & Advocacy

These eight law students were selected by the Equal Justice Works National Advisory Committee for providing outstanding service through law clinics, volunteer work, internships, extracurricular projects, and other initiatives. Each Regional Public Interest Award winner will receive a commemorative plaque and a monetary reward. 

Two rows showing the headshots of the 2024 RPIA winners. Top (L-R) Alexia Roberts, Elle De La Cancela, Jackson Lanier, Isabel MacCay. Bottom (L-R) Jess Gaughan, Megan Cherry, Keeli Wallace, Jill Chien.
Photo of the 2024 RPIA winners. Top (L-R) Alexia Roberts, Elle De La Cancela, Jackson Lanier, Isabel MacCay. Bottom (L-R) Jess Gaughan, Megan Cherry, Keeli Wallace, Jill Chien.

“I feel so incredibly honored to be a recipient of this award,” said Regional Public Interest Award winner Jill Chien. “Equal Justice Works and the National Advisory Committee have supported my public interest journey in so many ways, including helping me build a network that I will carry with me into my future career as a public defender.” 

Below is the list of this year’s Regional Public Interest Award recipients: 

  • Jackson Lanier
    North Carolina Central University School of Law
    South Region
  • Megan Cherry (she/her)
    University of Georgia School of Law 
    Gulf Region
  • Alexia Roberts (she/her)
    Harvard Law School
    Northeast Region
  • Isabel MacCay (she/her)
    Gonzaga University School of Law
    Pacific Region
  • Jill Chien (she/her)
    George Washington University Law School
    Mid-Atlantic Region
  • Elle De La Cancela
    University of Minnesota Law School
    Midwest Region
  •  Keeli Wallace (she/her/ella)
    University of Arkansas Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law 
    Southwest Region
  • Jess Gaughan (she/her)
    Washington University School of Law
    Mountain Region

“Public service is more than a career,” said Regional Public Interest Award winner Isabel MacCay. “It is a belief that our world can be a better place and [a commitment] to the work necessary to make that better place a reality.” 

Equal Justice Works offers many opportunities for law students to serve the public interest law community on their campuses and nationwide. Visit here for more information. 

“Equal Justice Works and the National Advisory Committee have supported my public interest journey in so many ways, including helping me build a network that I will carry with me into my future career as a public defender."

Jill Chien /
2024 Regional Public Interest Award Winner
Mid-Atlantic Region

Learn more about becoming an Equal Justice Works Fellow