This summer, ten Temple Law students are advancing justice—in courtrooms, in city government, and around the world—through the support of the Duffy Fellowship.

Established to strengthen the law school’s commitment to service, the Duffy Fellowship enables students to pursue vital public interest work while gaining real-world legal experience. It also fosters a strong network of students and alumni dedicated to public interest law.

The 2025 Duffy Fellows include ten rising 3Ls working in summer internships across public defense, civil rights, immigrant justice, tenant advocacy, government service, and international human rights.

Zoe Hoag is working in the Energy & Utilities Unit at Community Legal Services (CLS), where she assists low-income Philadelphians facing utility shutoffs and supports policy efforts aimed at energy justice.  

“Philadelphia maintains some of the oldest housing stock in the nation,” Hoag said. “And while Philadelphia is unique in the number of Black homeowners within the city, these homes—oftentimes located in divested neighborhoods—suffer from energy inefficiency. In turn, utility bills rise, and charges are harder to meet, culminating in shutoffs, even during a heat wave.”  

Hoag is building her public interest foundation through interning with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection and Nationalities Service Center. She is also participating in the Sheller Center’s Access to Justice Clinic and serving as a Research Assistant for Temple Law’s Diversity in Public Interest Pipeline.

“As the daughter of an Army veteran and public-school teacher, dedication to service has been instilled in me throughout my life,” Hoag said. “I’ve sought to use my legal education to serve as an advocate for my local community.” 

Mandy Wassum is working with Life After Justice, a nonprofit founded by exonerees that provides holistic support to individuals who have been wrongfully convicted.  

“In addition to providing legal assistance, [Life After Justice] conducts research and offers support, such as mental health services,” Wassum said. “It is my dream to work in this field … to be able to contribute to an organization like this is such a privilege.” 

Wassum said it was a forensic science class in high school that sparked her interest in becoming a lawyer. 

“We had a unit on wrongful convictions. It was an eye-opening experience for me—not just the fact that someone could be wrongfully convicted, but how it often it happens and how many people it affects,” Wassum said. “My time as a paralegal for the public defender’s office further solidified my interest in defense work … I knew public interest was the only option for me.”  

The Duffy Fellowship, established by Tom Duffy ’81, founder of The Duffy Firm, was initially launched in 2012 at the Legal Clinic for the Disabled. Recognizing the importance of supporting future public interest lawyers, Duffy expanded the fellowship in 2023 through a generous gift to Temple Law enabling more students to pursue public interest work and reinforcing the law school’s mission to provide students with the tools they need to effect meaningful change in their communities. Now in its third year, the Temple Law Duffy Fellowship continues to grow in reach and impact. 

“Through the Temple Law Duffy Fellowship, we contribute so much more than funds. We further the mission of public interest organizations that make meaningful change in our community,” Duffy said. “We have an impact on people who desperately need it. But, best of all and closest to my heart, we help a group of fine young men and women who have chosen the law as their career realize their vision and goal of making a difference.” 

Student fellowships are entirely supported by philanthropic donations to the law school. 

“The Duffy Fellowship program is a wonderful example of how Temple Law alumni support the success of future Temple lawyers and help shape their journey into the profession,” said Dean Rachel Rebouché. “We’re grateful to Tom Duffy and his colleagues at the Duffy Firm for their commitment to Temple Law and specifically to our students.” 

Both Hoag and Wassum agree that the Duffy Fellowship has been instrumental in making their work possible.  

“The Duffy Fellowship eased the financial burden for me to engage in an otherwise unpaid internship this summer,” Hoag said. “Without it, I’d have a much harder time serving my fellow Philadelphians at Community Legal Services.” 

Wassum echoed the sentiment: “As someone with a lot of loans from my undergraduate degree, I was wary of going back to school, especially after being in the workforce for so long. Having the opportunity to pay down some of my debt and pursue the work I want to do is something that I am so grateful for.” 

Other 2025 Duffy Fellows are contributing their talents to a wide range of public interest organizations, including public defender offices in Philadelphia and New Jersey, legal departments within city government, and nonprofits focused on immigrant rights, civil rights, and wrongful convictions. Some are working at organizations dedicated to international accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity, while others are engaged in local prosecution, tenant advocacy, or access to justice initiatives. 

“Temple Law trains some of the best public interest lawyers in the country, and these students are prepared to commit their careers to the service of others. Tom Duffy’s generosity continues to have a dramatic impact on these students’ lives, allowing them to clear financial barriers on their path to service,” said Assistant Dean for Career Services Jim Walsh. “Mr. Duffy’s contributions to Temple Law have now helped to launch service-oriented careers of numerous Temple Law graduates and serve as a model for how others in our community can have a similar impact.” 

The 2025 Duffy Fellows: