PJI Executive Director, Mercedes Montagnes, receives prestigious Harvard Law School Wasserstein Public Interest Fellowship
PJI Executive Director, Mercedes Montagnes, was selected for Harvard Law School’s Wasserstein Public Interest Fellowship awarded to 12 public interest attorneys across the country. The Wasserstein Fellowship program, “recognizes exemplary lawyers who have distinguished themselves in public interest work and who can advise students who are considering similar career paths.” Public interest includes law related work for “governmental agencies, legal services providers, prosecutor and public defender offices, private public interest law firms, nonprofits, international organizations, and entities that engage in legal work aimed at advancing the common good.” Mercedes is the only fellow whose work focuses specifically on criminal justice reform in Louisiana.
Mercedes spent the week of September 26 in Boston, MA developing advising resources, leading community discussions, and providing guidance to Harvard Law School students considering careers in public interest law.
“We’re honored to see our Executive Director’s public interest work recognized by Harvard Law School. Mercedes has made an enormous impact in the criminal justice reform landscape in Louisiana, and we’re thankful that her work has been recognized by an institution like Harvard Law School.” Said Jamila Johnson, PJI Deputy Director.
“I’m grateful to the Wasserstein Public Interest Fellows Program for the opportunity to take part in this program. It’s inspiring to see the Harvard Law School students who will soon be entering the field of public interest law, and carry on the torch of creating meaningful change in the field.”