Student Organizations: The Sutin Public Interest Association

The Appalachian School of Law Sutin Public Interest Association (SPIA)

The Sutin Public Interest Association recognizes the deep-seated commitment our former Dean, L. Anthony (Tony) Sutin, held for serving the public.

Dean Sutin had a distinguished career as a Harvard Law graduate holding a top job in the U.S. Department of Justice before moving to Grundy in 1999.  He hoped the school would enhance economic development in the area and train pubic service-minded lawyers.  The law school continues that focus on service to the community and to the public through its curricular and co-curricular  programs and student organizations.  I blogged about ASL's award-winning community service program here.

Mission Statement

The Sutin Public Interest Association promotes awareness, educates, and empowers public-service-minded law students to uphold Dean Sutin's strong beliefs in serving the public.

Any member of the student body may join this dues-required organization. 

It affiliates with Equal Justice Works, formerly The National Association for Public Interest Law.  

It sponsors a student member to attend the Equal Justice Work's annual national meeting, if possible.  It also sponsors presentations to the student body on isues of public service or public interest law.  

Dean Sutin's Lasting Legacy

Appalachian School of Law recognizes one 3L student every year at its Award Banquet as the recipient of the L. Anthony Sutin Soul of ASL Award.  The award recognizes a person who has gone out of his or her way to help others, chosen the kind word over what he or she may really have felt, or handled adversity with class. His wish was to distribute awards to members of ASL’s community who, through no provocation or desire for recognition, perform random acts of kindness towards others.  Over time, the award has become more exclusive, and now only a distinguished 3L student can win it. 

Other awards named for Tony Sutin include the COPS Civic Imagination Award and the Harvard Law School Public Service Fellowship.

Winners of the L. Anthony Sutin Soul of ASL Award

2002

William R. Sievers

Jeffrey Moore

Lonnie Ayers

Mary Kilpatrick

Scott Hamilton

Sara Garrison

Jessica Cockerham

Jason Arthur

Jean Reynolds

2003

Tyran George

David Whitehurst

Nancy Coulling

2004

Donald R. Sutton

2005

1L:       Cory Vicars

2L:       Bryson Aldridge

3L:       Tyran George

2006

1L:       George J. Smit

2L:       Janice Hensley

3L:       Timothy D. Read

2007

1L:       Bryan Cave

2L:       Sarah McKinney

3L:       Melvin “Artie” Vaughn

2008

1L:       Jacob Eberhart

2L:       Amber Lee

3L:       Candice Mendez

2009

1L:       Drew Taylor

2L:       Charles Sidoti

3L:       Ian McCabe

2010

1L:       Joseph Birchfield

2L:       William Mossor

3L:       Sara Beth Montgomery

2011

3L:       Andrew Taylor

2012
3L:       Elisabeth Griffith

2013

3L:      Candice DuVernois