About PLSS
The Public Legal Services Society (PLSS) is a registered student organization dedicated to supporting law students who pursue careers in public interest and public service. PLSS was established in 1990 by McGeorge students who recognized that unpaid internships often deter law students from pursuing public interest and public service, which, in turn, impacts the public interest and public sector field as a whole. To address this deficiency, PLSS established the PLSS Annual Spring Event Fundraiser and, in turn, the PLSS Summer Grant to facilitate a pathway for McGeorge students to enter public interest and public service jobs after graduating from law school.
PLSS Social Media
Mission & Goals
The Public Legal Services Society’s mission is to develop law students into public servants, and to increase access to public legal services for all. To achieve this mission, PLSS focuses its efforts on three goals. First, PLSS aims to support McGeorge students who would otherwise be unable to afford working for free at government agencies and nonprofit firms. Through a myriad of fundraising efforts, including the PLSS Annual Spring Event, PLSS aims to provide financial support to McGeorge students working unpaid internships at government agencies, nonprofits, and other public legal service entities. Second, PLSS aims to provide networking and educational opportunities for McGeorge students to meet and learn about different attorney roles in public legal service. Third, and finally, PLSS aims to grow a professional network for our McGeorge student members to join and rely on after graduation.
Public Legal Services Society Annual Spring Event Fundraiser
PLSS hosts the Spring Event Fundraiser annually at McGeorge School of Law. The event brings together students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members to celebrate PLSS’s mission and support students pursuing unpaid summer internships in public interest and public service. Proceeds from the event help provide financial support to McGeorge students completing unpaid summer internships, allowing them to gain valuable legal experience while serving communities in need.
PLSS Summer Grant Program
Proceeds from the Annual Spring Event Fundraiser provide McGeorge students with modest stipends to work over the summer for nonprofit or governmental organizations. This summer grant is only available to McGeorge students who will NOT be paid by their employer. With funding, McGeorge students can undertake a broad range of needed projects to benefit low-income clients, such as helping protect the rights of indigent criminal defendants, children, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly, among others. Other PLSS members work in public service roles, helping to protect civil rights, consumer and environmental protections, and public safety.
Student Membership Dues
A $10 Student Membership is due in September of each new academic year and is also required to complete the grant application in April. Student Membership dues go directly to our operating budget, and are separately managed from the Summer Grant alumni donations. Student membership dues cover the costs of providing nametags, t-shirts, snacks, and other operational expenses, in addition to the Spring Event Fundraiser.
Ready to pay your Membership dues? Copy and paste the URL below to the Membership Dues payment page. We do not receive receipts on our end. For proof of payment, please forward your email receipt to plssmcgeorge@gmail.com.
PLSS Student Leaders for Academic Year 2026-2027
Executive Board Members
- Executive President — Hana Glenn
- Executive Vice President — Kristina Rodriguez
- Executive Treasurer — Nathan Hornbuckle
- Executive Secretary — Diego Veronica Torres
Lower Board Members
- President — Violet Ruiz
- Vice President — Alex Sanchez
- Treasurer — Tracy Xiong
- Community Outreach Chair / Secretary — Christlie Poteau
Questions?
Still have questions? Email us at plssmcgeorge@gmail.com
