An annual report of the Legal Aid Society of Charleston bears a quotation from Judge Learned Hand: "If we are to keep our democracy, there must be one commandment: thou shalt not ration justice." Most of us do not have to look beyond the experiences of our neighbors, friends, and relatives to see that many West Virginians are without access to the legal system. Public interest organizations like legal services corporations and others do a good job of working to fulfill Judge Hand's commandment by providing free, quality legal services to those in need.

Unfortunately, limited resources and small staffs are overwhelmed by the great need for legal services. One response to this need is the volunteer, student-run organization known as Public Interests Advocates (P.I.A.) which operates under the guidance of West Virginia University law professor, Charles DiSalvo. P.I.A. and its sister organization, the West Virginia Fund for Law in the Public Interest, sponsor fellowships for W.V.U. law students. Overall, 16 summer fellows worked in eight public interest placements this year: West Virginia Legal Services Plan, North Central Legal Aid Society, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, Appalachian Research and Defense Fund, Legal Aid Society of Charleston, Office of the Public Defender, N.A.A.C.P., and Mountain State Justice.

These P.I.A. fellowships enable law students to provide thousands of hours of legal services each year. In addition to providing valuable services for clients, these fellowships provide mentors, experience, and fulfillment for the students. While learning from professionals in the legal field, students are able to do research, draft legal documents, and make legal arguments that significantly impact the lives of their clients.

Evidence of the good work that these organizations do is often displayed on the office walls in the form of dozens of hand written, heartfelt thank you letters from clients. In labored handwriting, one letter from an 80-year-old North Central Legal Aid client said: "You will never know how I appreciate the help you have given me. I sure feel better about things now; God bless you." Another client wrote: "I want to thank you for everything that you did for me. Without you I would have never gotten my insurance back; it's nice to have someone like you to help people." P.I.A. fellows all over the state are learning that this gratitude is so sincere it provides more fulfillment than the biggest paycheck.

Billie Thacker, a third year student working for the W.V. Legal Services Plan explained: "I know that I have helped clients who had no chance of prevailing without legal representation. I will always remember the client who was so relieved to find out that she didn't have to pay for a lawyer to represent her that she cried. I will remember the client who sent cards and letters of thanks weekly."

From the Office of the Public Defender in Charles Town, third year student, Justin Price, commented: "Although I know that my financial remuneration could be greater working in private practice, the personal satisfaction I gain from serving clients who have no other place to turn for help is well worth the sacrifice. If even one client is appreciative of your help, and you can see the look of hope . . . when you advise them how to straighten up their lives, then public interest work is well worth the hard work and personal effort that you put forth."

To be sure, P.I.A. fellows do work hard and put forth a great deal of effort. Although many public interest offices have only one staff attorney, thousands of clients are served each year. Every summer, P.I.A fellows make considerable contributions to client services. "Many clients come into the office feeling as if no one cares about the problems they are having, however, once a decision is made to accept their cases, these same people are afforded the time and effort the most important clients at a private law firm would receive." James Armstrong, second year student at the WV Legal Services Plan. As P.I.A. fellow, Hiram Lewis remarked: "Legal aid organizations and P.I.A. summer fellows make equal justice a little more attainable."

Of course, the P.I.A. fellowships would not be possible without the overwhelming support of the state's legal community. P.I.A.'s annual Thanksgiving Appeal and Spring Auction raise money to help pay summer fellows a modest salary. P.I.A. enjoys the support of lawyers and students from a variety of political, cultural, and legal backgrounds who all agree that justice should not be rationed on an economic basis.

The P.I.A. fellows would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supports the program. Rachael Fletcher, a second year student working at Mountain State Justice, reflected the sentiments of all P.I.A. fellows when she said she would remain "eternally grateful" to everyone who played a role in providing such a memorable opportunity. More importantly, though, when a client responds, "I sure feel better about things now; God bless you," she has not only responded to the legal aid attorney and the summer fellow, she has responded to their supporters.

About the author: Ms. Schrecongost is entering the third year class at West Virginia University College of Law.