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Derek Koltunovich
January 2007
Derek Koltunovich is a
first year
law student who
continually
volunteered for the
Domestic
Relations Clinic during
the fall
of 2006. Derek also
takes part
in the National Lawyers
Guild Legal
Referral Clinic, the
student chapter
of the American Civil
Liberties
Union, and he is the
winner of the
University Law and Law
College Association Scholarships. Derek realizes the
difference he is making
when he assists clients. He is always respectful and
reassuring to the
individuals he helps at the clinics. Derek has made a
significant difference in
the lives of many people who are parties to paternity or
divorce matters.
Derek is one of
few native Tucsonans. He was born and raised here, attended
the University of
Arizona with a major in accounting, and in his words: “the town
is not letting me
leave.” He has definitive opinions about the best Mexican food
in town: “for fast
food it is El Guero Canelo, and for the regular speed stuff it is
Papagayo’s. When
he does have the chance to get away, his two favorite places
are New York City
because of the endless supply of things to do; and the Oregon
coast because of
the friendly people and beautiful landscape. When Derek is not
in class,
volunteering or eating Mexican food, he occasionally catches an
episode of My
Name is Earl, the Daily Show, and South Park.
When asked about
Derek’s law school experience so far he says that “Professor
Bublick has give
torts a sympathetic human side which has made it infinitely
interesting. She
is very passionate about teaching the subject and has turned it
into something I’m
very interested in.” He also states that since coming to law
school, “the legal
system seems less like a distant entity only available to those
who can afford
it. It seems more like a system of justice that is in place to
serve
all.”
When asked about his
experience with the VLP, Derek comments:
“I wanted to gain hands-on experience in the legal field. I also
wanted
to do
something in the community that would make a difference in people’s
lives.
This seemed like a great opportunity to work with individuals who
truly
needed the assistance and support. I have learned that with just
a small
commitment of time you can make a huge difference in
someone’s
life. Just being there to assure them that they are doing
everything
properly and helping them with the small details seems to
mean the
world to clients. They can believe that the legal system is
on their
side because there are people available to help them.”
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Past Outstanding Volunteer
Student Awards |
