NEWS RELEASE
October 23, 2006
Thomas Jefferson School of Law Student Wins Belle Cummins Memorial Scholarship
Given to Matthew Zelasko-Barrett for Work with San Diego Volunteer Lawyer’s Program
Thomas Jefferson School of Law third year student Matthew Zelasko-Barrett has been awarded the prestigious Belle Cummins Memorial Scholarship by the Association of Administrative Law Judges.
Zelasko-Barrett was selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship in the name of the late Belle Cummins, a Washington, D.C. lobbyist, who was a committed and tireless advocate for administrative law judges. Prior to being a lobbyist, Belle Cummins had a distinguished career as a lawyer for Legal Services, an advocate for women’s issues and a Congressional staff member.
The scholarship will be awarded to Zelasko-Barrett at a luncheon in San Diego on November 2, 2006 at the Hyatt Islandia Hotel, 1441 Quivira Road.
A commitment to public law led Zelasko-Barrett to his current internship with the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program. He started with their Immigration Law Clinic (which assists women and children who have been victims of domestic violence in their efforts to immigrate) in June 2006 and then began working in their Domestic Violence Clinic (helping domestic violence victims obtain restraining orders and gain access to services) in August of this year. He continues to work in both clinics.
Zelasko-Barrett is also a volunteer for the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma at Alliant International University where he assists presenters with seminars on the Violence Against Women Act, Men in Trauma and Human Trafficking.
Prior to coming to law school he worked for a law firm in Michigan where he assisted with toxic tort cases for clients who were low-income blue collar workers diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. He is currently applying for fellowships and other post-graduation positions in the public interest field.
Zelasko-Barrett received his Bachelors degree from Wayne State University in Criminal Justice. He has wanted to be an attorney since the age of five.
Since 1998, the Association of Administrative Judges has annually awarded a scholarship to a law student who has interest in public service law and who meets criteria established by the law school for a student in good standing.
For Further Information Contact:
Karen Goyette
Assistant Dean Development and Alumni Relations
619-297-9700 x1491
kgoyette@tjsl.edu