On Tuesday, September 10, 2013, the Milwaukee Association for Women Lawyers (AWL) Foundation honored two Marquette University Law School students with scholarships.

Amanda M. Nimmer, 2L (pictured above left), received the AWL Foundation scholarship.  The AWL Foundation Scholarship is awarded to a woman who has exhibited service to others, diversity, compelling financial need, academic achievement, unique life experiences (such as overcoming obstacles to attend or continue law school), and advancement of women in the profession. Nimmer said when she was 13 years old, she decided to become a lawyer. While she was growing up, she and her mother ran a school supplies drive every year at their church to benefit children in need in the greater Milwaukee area. She also volunteered at homeless shelters. She remains passionate about helping others, and this passion for public services shows. During the last presidential election, she volunteered as a legal observer. As an undergraduate at UW Madison, Nimmer worked for the state public defender’s office. She has also worked for the American Civil Liberties Union. She volunteers with the Milwaukee Volunteer Legal Clinic at Hillview and at the Milwaukee Justice Center. Although she’s yet to be inducted into the Pro Bono Society, she has already accumulated more than 120 volunteer hours. Nimmer was a PILS fellow last summer and is also the secretary of the student chapter of AWL.

Katheryn Mills, 2L (pictured above right), received the AWL Foundation’s Virginia A. Pomeroy scholarship.  This scholarship honors the late Virginia A. Pomeroy, a former deputy state public defender and a past president of AWL.  In addition to meeting the same criteria as for the AWL Foundation scholarship, the winner of this scholarship must also exhibit what the AWL Foundation calls “a special emphasis, through experience, employment, class work or clinical programs” in one of several particular areas:  appellate practice, civil rights law, public interest law, public policy, public service, or service to the vulnerable or disadvantaged. Mills’ interest in the law, particularly in public policy, sparked from her parents’ service as law enforcement officials in Wisconsin. Seeing her parents’ satisfaction in their public service jobs sparked her interest to follow a similar career path. This past summer, Mills worked at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. Currently, she is the secretary of the Student Bar Association, chair of the Student Issues Committee, and a member of the student chapter of AWL. Additionally, as a volunteer student ambassador for the Admission’s Office at Marquette University Law School, Mills regularly conducts law school tours and is a panelist at admission information sessions. Mills hopes to practice law in the Milwaukee area after graduation.

Congratulations to both women for outstanding service and for their representation of Marquette University Law School.