The Carolina Public Interest Law Organization (C-PILO) is a student-run group that works in collaboration with UNC Law and Friends of C-PILO, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public interest law among Carolina Law students. C-PILO helps provide grants to students who accept summer internships in the public sector that are low-or non-paying; facilitates a network of support for students interested in pursuing public interest law; exposes the law school community to public interest law; and encourages students to pursue careers in the public sector. Donations are tax-deductible. For questions about donations, please contact
Keke Jefferies. Other questions about what we do? Contact C-PILO President
Claire Smith.
2018-2019 Officers
President
Claire Smith, 2L
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Claire is a 2L from Apex, North Carolina and she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2016. She majored in Journalism and minored in Spanish.
After graduation, Claire worked as a Legal Assistant with Hatch Rockers Immigration in Raleigh, North Carolina. After law school, she plans to pursue a career in immigration law. This summer Claire interned at the North Carolina Justice Center. In her spare time, Claire enjoys running, yoga, and binging reality tv. .
Vice-President
Meghan Brown, 2L
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Secretary
Suzanne Zelenka, 2L Contact Suzanne
Suzanne is from New Orleans, Louisiana and attended Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee where she graduated with a B.A. in Literature. After graduation, Suzanne moved to Nashville, Tennessee where she worked as a Market Analyst for Paradigm Group, a company specializing in employee benefits consulting and H.R. solutions.
As an active volunteer and advocate for mental health care reform, after law school Suzanne hopes to find a position where she can help bring about positive change in the mental health care system.
Treasurer
Jennifer M. Cofer, 2L Contact Jenny
Jenny is from Greensboro, North Carolina, and graduated from North Carolina State University in December 2016 with her undergraduate degree in political science and a minor in spanish. Last summer, Jenny interned with at US Committee for Refugees & Immigrants. Jenny is currently serving as a Research Assistant at UNC Law.
After law school, Jenny hopes to pursue a career in immigration law. In her free time, Jenny likes to snuggle her cat (Ruth Bader Ginspurr), drink coffee, and binge Netflix.
Volunteer Coordinator
Alyssa is originally from Monroe, Louisiana and attended Harvard for undergrad. She's interested in working in civil rights litigation representing survivors of sexual violence. Her favorite place in Chapel Hill is Bartaco, and she has a dog named Maya.
Outreach Coordinator
Chelsea Pieroni, 2L
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Chelsea is from Florence, Italy, but has spent almost every Christmas and summer in North Carolina. She graduated from Duke University in 2014 with a B.A. in Philosophy and a Certificate in Information Science & Studies. This past summer, she worked in-house for Screen Media Ventures, an independent film distribution company in New York, NY.
After law school, Chelsea plans to move to New York to pursue a career in intellectual property or entertainment law, and ultimately wants to protect the work of emerging or struggling artists. In her spare time, Chelsea enjoys true crime podcasts, amassing endless trivial knowledge about flora, and cuddling her cat Gino.
Auction Planning Sub-Chair
Kelsey Cullinan, 1L
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Kelsey is from Spotsylvania, Virginia and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2014. She majored in Psychology with a minor in European Studies. After graduation, Kelsey commissioned into the United States Air Force and completed her first assignment at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.
After law school, Kelsey plans to pursue a career as a Judge Advocate General in the US Air Force. In her free time, she enjoys watching Notre Dame football, reading, and running.
1L Class Coordinator
Caitlin Bell-Butterfield, 1L
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Cait is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated from Hampshire College in 2009 with a degree in Literature. Since graduating, she has worked in the acquisitions department at University of North Carolina Press, as a full-spectrum doula, and, most recently, in communications at Ipas, a global reproductive health and rights non-governmental organization.
After law school, Cait plans to pursue a career in reproductive health and rights law. In her spare time, Cait enjoys hiking with her husband and daughter, running, and making her way through every restaurant in Durham.
Chief of Staff
Ryan Collins, 1L
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Ryan is from State Road, NC and graduated from UNC in 2011, where he majored in Political Science and Economics with a minor in Creative Writing. He also has an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from NC State, where he also worked as a Graduate Residence Director with University Housing. Following graduate school and prior to law school, Ryan worked for 5 years as a Coordinator for Residence Life at UNC Greensboro.
After law school, Ryan hopes to pursue a career in public interest with a focus on education. He is also interested in state and local politics, and hopes one day to be Governor of North Carolina. In his free time, Ryan enjoys playing tennis, reading a good novel, going to the movies, and spending quality time with friends and family.