By Gary Lawkowski '11
News Editor

The 11th annual Conference on Public Service and the Law attracted students to panels and workshops on public service careers during the weekend.

The keynote speaker was California Secretary of State Debra Bowen ’79. Bowen, who was awarded the Profile in Courage Award by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in 2008 for her review of electronic voting machines in California, spoke about her experiences as a lawyer in the private sector, transitioning to a more pro bono focus, serving in the state legislature, and her time as Secretary of State. According to Conference Co-Chair Corrie Sirkin ’10, “The California Secretary of State was amazing! She spoke individually with many of the students while participating in our luncheon. She spoke very fondly of her time here at U.Va. Law and discussed with students the changes since her graduation.”

The conference drew an estimated 250 participants. “We had a lot of great candid advice for our students and a lot of interesting discussions on cutting edge topics,” noted Sirkin. Those topics included litigation strategies following California’s Proposition 8, animal cruelty laws following the Michael Vick incident, and the future of Guantanamo detainees. Additionally, students participated in workshops aimed at increasing awareness of opportunities to work in the public interest, including programs on public service in the private sector, as well as more traditional public service avenues including careers in the federal government.

Plans are already underway to recruit leadership and organize the Conference for next year.