College of Law :: Georgia State University

STUDENT AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS

Tax Clinic Scholar

The Clinic offers up to two College of Law students each semester the opportunity to serve as Tax Clinic Scholars. This is the highest distinction that any Clinic student may receive.

Duties of Tax Clinic Scholar

The Tax Clinic Scholars will assist the Clinic Director and the Associate Clinic Director in attaining the mission of the Clinic. Tax Clinic Scholars will mentor Clinic I students. Under the direction of the Clinic Director or Assistant Clinic Director, they will provide guidance to their assigned students in all aspects of assigned cases. Tax Clinic Scholars will meet frequently throughout the semester with Tax Clinic I students to discuss substantive, procedural, and ethical issues related to client representation.  In addition, Tax Clinic Scholars will assist Tax Clinic I students in understanding and evaluating the needs of their clients, client interviewing, negotiating settlements, drafting memoranda and legal documents, maintaining files, and other representational duties. The Tax Clinic Scholar will report to either the Clinic Director or the Clinic Associate Clinic Director and will meet regularly with his or her supervisor for guidance.

Selection Process for Tax Clinic Scholar

Tax Clinic Scholar appointments are awarded to students who have demonstrated superior performance in all of their work in the Clinic. Tax Clinic Scholars are selected based on three criteria:

1. Superior Performance in the Clinic. A student must have performed at an outstanding level in Tax Clinic I and Tax Clinic II courses that encompass over 200 hours of Clinic experience as a student attorney. During his or her course work, a student must have demonstrated a strong commitment to the mission of the Clinic. 
   
2. Mature Judgment. A student must be able to command the trust and respect of fellow students by demonstrating mature judgment and reason with respect to professional and ethical issues, the operation of the Clinic, and service to clients.
   
3. Management Skills and Collegiality. A student must be able to provide quality training and guidance for less experienced student attorneys.  A student must be able act as a link between student attorneys and the Clinic Director or Associate Director. During prior Clinic experience, a student must have exhibited respect towards peers, the Clinic Administration, and Clients. A student must have demonstrated a genuine willingness to assist other students in having a valuable Clinic experience.

Compensation for Tax Clinic Scholars will vary based on the student’s availability and the Clinic’s needs. Tax Clinic Scholars are eligible for a wide variety of fellowships, including but not limited to, tuition waivers, monetary stipends, and hourly pay, or any combination thereof.

The Paul D. Coverdell Clinic Service Award

The Paul D. Coverdell Clinic Service Award is granted each year by the Trammell Foundation to the one student who excels in his or her work in the Clinic. The late Senator Paul D. Coverdell was an early, strong supporter of the Clinic. He assisted in its initial funding and in securing recognition for the Clinic in Congress and in the Internal Revenue Service. The Trammell Foundation is a local private foundation, which is trusteed by three tax partners at the law firm of Alston & Bird. The Foundation provided the Clinic with a grant to establish the Clinic and has since provided additional grants to underwrite the cost of a portion of the Clinic's operations. The student who is selected to receive The Paul D. Coverdell Clinic Service Award will receive from the Foundation a check in the amount of $1,000 and will be recognized on a plaque that is displayed in the Clinic offices.

Trankina Family Tax Clinic Fellowships

The Trankina Family Fellowships will be awarded during the summer term to one or more students who have completed the Clinic course and who are selected to work in the clinic during the summer. The fellowships are named after Timothy Trankina, a 1989 graduate of Georgia State University, who has been one of the most generous individual supporters of the Clinic. The student or students who will be selected to receive a Trankina Family Fellowship must have demonstrated outstanding service in the Clinic and a desire to provide service to the low-income individuals who the Clinic serves. Trankina Family Fellowships total $5,000.

Ginny and Kelly Smith Tax Clinic Fellowships

The Ginny and Kelly Smith Fellowships will be awarded during 2006 and 2007 to one or more students who have completed the Clinic course and who are selected to work in the clinic. The fellowships are provided by the generous support from Ginny and Kelly Smith, ’96 and ’95 graduates, respectively, of Georgia State University College of Law. The student or students who will be selected to receive a Smith Fellowship must have demonstrated outstanding service in the Clinic and a desire to provide service to low-income individuals. The Ginny and Kelly Smith Fellowships total $5,000 for each year.

Tax Clinic Fellow

The Clinic hires outstanding students who have completed the Clinic courses.  Clinic Fellows receive a waiver of their tuition and a stipend that varies with the extent of the work they will perform in the Clinic. Students who have completed both semesters of the Clinic course will be given preference in the hiring decision. Students interested in applying for a Fellowship should contact Professor Blasi.