The Toll Public Interest Law Center at the University of Pennsylvania Creates the S. Gerald Litvin & Dennis Suplee Fellowship

The Toll Public Interest Law Center (TPIC) has named a post-graduate fellowship after Schnader partner Dennis Suplee. The newly created S. Gerald Litvin & Dennis Suplee Fellowship, which is funded by Gerald A. McHugh, will support a Penn Law graduating student or recent alumni in their pursuit of public interest careers. Fellows design their own public interest projects and work with partnering nonprofit organizations locally, nationally or internationally on pressing issues and advocating on behalf of clients.

In a public statement, Mr. McHugh noted, “Jerry Litvin and Dennis Suplee are the ultimate role models for any young lawyer. This fellowship will help a Penn law graduate follow in their paths.” Mr. Litvin is senior counsel at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. Mr. McHugh is a partner with Raynes McCarty.

The 2011 recipient of the S. Gerald Litvin & Dennis R. Suplee Fellowship is Benjamin Salvina, a 2011 graduate of the law school. With partner organization Mazzoni Center Legal Services of Philadelphia, Salvina’s project will focus on helping low-income LGBT persons facing employment discrimination. He will provide community education, strengthen organizational ties, negotiate with entities engaging in discriminatory practices, and represent clients before the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, and state and federal courts.

Founded in 1989, TPIC is at the center of public interest initiatives at Penn Law, helping all students to cultivate meaningful opportunities to provide pro bono legal service to under-represented communities, while mentoring students who hope to make public interest their professional focus. The Center’s pro bono program, which includes a 70-hour pro bono requirement and emphasizes students’ professional development, has been recognized with the American Bar Association’s Pro Bono Publico Award.