Temple commitment

June 18, 2002

Temple University
Beasley School of Law
Admissions Committee
1719 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing to inform you that I am committed to being a member of this fall’s entering class at Temple University Beasley School of Law and hope that I will be accepted.

I want to be a lawyer because I want help people. Due to such factors as poverty, racism, and gender inequality, there are many groups of people who are disadvantaged. I have been fortunate to have gained a quality education thus far, beginning at a public high school and then through a scholarship to a respected liberal arts college. Once there, my strong work ethic, coupled with a strong desire to help others, lead me into several extra-curricular endeavors working for and toward the empowerment of less fortunate people. Throughout these experiences, I not only followed the well-beaten path of those who came before me, but also took initiative through both thought and praxis, all the while guided by my moral/ethical imperative to help others. That is to say, I was recognized as the most outspoken student at the college, regarding issues of local community relations (involving the low-income Latino population of Gettysburg) and their larger social causes and implications. Concurrent with my spoken word, I took action in the local community through direct interaction with the community members to identify practical, daily needs and address them as quickly and as effectively as possible. I feel that my quality secondary and collegiate education have provided me with the foundation to be a good lawyer, but it is my zealous commitment to my community that will make me a great lawyer.

My volunteer and work experience with disadvantaged Latino communities in both Gettysburg and Philadelphia provides me with the practical tools necessary to excel in public interest law. However, when all is said and done, it is my passionate commitment and unique sensitivity which will set me apart from all the rest. In this, I have no doubt.

These wider personal goals stem largely from my background as a Latino. As the fastest growing sector of the American population, Latinos are significantly impacting our nation’s culture and social structure. Nevertheless, due to racism, cultural differences and language barriers, much of the Latino community is disadvantaged and under-represented. At Gettysburg, I demonstrated my commitment to addressing these problems faced by the Latino community through various public service endeavors. For example, as Program Coordinator of Latino and Migrant Farmworker Issues at the Center for Public Service, my responsibilities all worked toward the goals of empowering, individually and collectively, an under-represented community and providing opportunities for intercultural dialogue.

Additionally, for the past two springs, I volunteered as a tax preparer at the PLA/VIP low-income tax clinic in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, serving the needs of the large Mexican community there, which had previously been victim to unscrupulous private tax preparers. This experience is included in the enclosed list of public service activities.

With my educational foundation and passion for serving the community, I have applied to Temple University Beasley School of Law in hopes of becoming a great lawyer. I respect Temple’s renowned commitment to public service and community development. The Beasley School of Law has exemplified its commitment to the objective above through its Clinical Programs, including the Center for Community and Non-Profit Organizations and the Temple Legal Aid Office. Additionally, the Office of Public Interest Law Programs provides numerous opportunities, through such programs as Temple-LEAP and VITA. This demonstrated commitment is complementary to my own personal and professional goals, which culminate in becoming a highly-respected and professional lawyer working for the empowerment of disadvantaged and under-represented communities.

Currently, as a paralegal at Philadelphia Legal Assistance, I have used my language abilities and immediate cultural connection to provide more effective legal services to the Latino population of Philadelphia. Through my position, I provide legal services to the low-income, underprivileged communities of our city, of which our clientele consists primarily of Latino and African-American women. In just over a year as a paralegal, I have attained a high degree of proficiency in my field of work and professional responsibilities. However, I have reached a point in my professional development where I feel that my abilities are needed beyond those services provided through my position as a paralegal. Time after time, my clients ask me to represent them in court because of my clarity in preparing them for a conference or hearing.

Substantively, I write complex legal pleadings that many first-year lawyers may not even be expected to write. All in all, I have followed the exceptional example set by the lawyers with whom I work, and I have come to a point where I feel not only prepared, but impelled to take my commitment to my clients and the disadvantaged community from which they come to the next level: as a great lawyer. All that stands between my goals and me is the quality legal education which I hope to receive at Temple University. If I am so fortunate to be accepted into the Beasley School of Law, I am confident that I will demonstrate my abilities as a Temple law student, and with that experience, continue to excel as a Temple lawyer.

If I can provide any other information, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at [xxxxxx]@philalegal.org or by telephone at (215) 981-3863 during daytime hours. Your time and consideration is greatly appreciated.

Most sincerely,

[Frank E. Speaks]