Even before he began law school, Jacob Haller was involved in the kind of public interest work that is at the heart of Marquette Law School’s pro bono efforts. He continued on that path as a law student. Now in his last semester at the Law School, Haller has been named this year’s Outstanding Public Interest Law Student.

Angela Schultz, assistant dean for public service, said that as an undergraduate at Marquette University, Haller worked as an intern at the Milwaukee Justice Center and an intern in the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s office.

As a law student, Haller became involved in many public service opportunities, including the Public Interest Law Society and clinics offering people help with family law and domestic violence problems. Haller won two PILS summer fellowships to do public interest legal work. He is currently co-president of PILS. Schultz said he will graduate in May with honors for completing more than 500 hours of pro bono work.

Schultz praised Haller’s style as a leader of student organizations, saying he pays attention to both the big picture and details and that he invites others to take roles in organizational work and have their voices heard.

“Besides being an asset to the Law School, Jacob will go on to be an asset to our profession,” Schultz wrote in nominating Haller for the award. Haller will be recognized at the State Bar Associations’ annual meeting and conference on June 21 in Lake Geneva.