Sturm College of Law Students Serve in Public Interest Fellowships

For the last 25 years, the Squire Patton Boggs Foundation has supported public interest law through fellowships for skilled and dedicated law students. Fellows in the program serve at nonprofit and public service organizations that would lack resources to access legal support if not for the foundation.

This year, two of the 33 fellows selected represent the University of Denver Sturm College of Law: Brook Langmaid, who is serving with the International Rescue Committee in Denver, and Pete Rayhill, who is supporting the Earth Law Center in Durango.

Brook Langmaid

Langmaid, working with the International Rescue Committee, is assisting asylum seekers and survivors of torture, providing legal aid, researching asylum law, and supporting policy initiatives while gaining practical experience working for a leading humanitarian organization. Langmaid commented on what was meaningful to her about the organization, "I felt drawn to work with the International Rescue Committee because of their expertise on immigration resettlement for asylees and refugees. They provide both legal assistance to clients on their cases and applications, as well as resettlement assistance with things such as housing, food, employment, healthcare, and much more."

"I have had the great privilege of working with the International Rescue Committee this summer for not long enough," Langmaid says. Some of her favorite activities have included "meeting clients and their families while working on their cases, observing a merit hearing at the immigration court that resulted in an asylum grant, and meeting such compassionate, funny, and kind coworkers at the Denver International Rescue Committee office." Langmaid expressed her gratitude to both the International Rescue Committee and the Squire Patton Boggs Foundation for working together to provide this opportunity.

Pete Rayhill

Rayhill, who is an enthusiast of fishing and outdoor activities, is working with the Earth Law Center in Durango on federal, state and tribal environmental laws affecting key watersheds in Colorado. He appreciates the Earth Law Center's "unique focus on giving legal rights to nature and regional environments rather than the common trope in law where nature is protected if it is owned." That focus allows the organization to have a progressive approach to environmental law rather than a retroactive one, Rayhill says.

Rayhill's work for the Earth Law Center has included researching how to protect bioregions in Portugal, developing a legal toolkit for states to implement Green Amendments, and supporting litigation to protect watersheds. Beyond the work, though, Rayhill says that living in Durango during the fellowship has been "an absolute blast." Making the most of the outdoor recreation lifestyle during his time there, Rayhill hiked and fished daily after work, concluding, "it has been one of the most enjoyable summers of my life." 

Squire Patton Boggs Foundation

Langmaid and Rayhill join a long line of past Sturm College of Law students in engaging in public policy work with support from the Squire Patton Boggs Foundation.

Assistant Dean for Career Development Eric Bono remarked that "we are incredibly proud of their efforts and grateful to the foundation for making this impactful work possible."

Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Director of Externships and Social Justice Initiatives Alexi Freeman further commented that "Brook and Pete are deeply committed to public interest lawyering and the foundation's support allows them to pursue their goals with less financial stress. We are inspired by their passion for using their training to impact the most vulnerable causes and communities, and grateful to the Squire Patton Boggs Foundation for their support for so many of our students over the years."