January 17, 2020

    Christine A. Brunswick Public Service Fellowship

    What is the Christine A. Brunswick Public Service Fellowship?

    The Public Service Fellowship program was developed in 2008 to address the need for tax legal assistance, and to foster an interest in tax-related public service among those individuals who participate. In 2013, the Public Service Fellowship was re-named the Christine A. Brunswick Public Service Fellowship in honor of the late Christine A. Brunswick, the Section’s former Executive Director for over 20 years. Christine was a strong proponent of advancing public service efforts in tax law and fostering a fair and equitable tax system. Under her leadership, the Tax Section has devoted significant resources to further that goal. 

    Public Service Fellowship Applications

    The American Bar Association Section of Taxation is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for its Christine A. Brunswick Public Service Fellowship program class of 2020-2022. Applications are due November 15, 2019.

    You can download the application here.

    2019 - 2021 Christine A. Brunswick Public Service Fellows

    The Section of Taxation is pleased to announce the 2019-2021 Christine A. Brunswick Public Service Fellows:

    • Evan Phoenix, a graduate of Saint Thomas University School of Law, will be working with the Bet Tzedek Legal Services in Los Angeles, California, to provide tax education, advocacy, and representation on behalf of current military service members, veterans, and ESL (English as a second language) taxpayers.
    • Andre Robinson, a graduate of Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, will be working with the Low-Income Tax Clinic at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services in New Orleans, Louisiana to provide education and tax services to taxpayers returning to society after being incarcerated, as well as to micro-business and small-business owners.

    Public Service Fellows in the News

    PSF Policy

    The Section is dedicated to creating and maintaining an equitable tax system that can be fairly administered. The Section's work supports the integrity of the nation's voluntary system for tax reporting and payment. It evaluates the "simplicity, enforceability, fairness and probable effect of the tax system on economic, business and personal behavior...." However, the Section does not speak on political and economic aspects of tax policy, such as special tax treatment designed to stimulate the economy, or on shifts in the tax burden among income groups. The Section’s public policy submissions, including comments on legislative proposals, regulations and other published guidance, are available on our Government Submissions & Policy page.

    Past Fellows

    2018-20 Award Recipients

    Omeed Firouzi
    Philadelphia Legal Assistance
    Philadelphia, PA

    Anastassia Kolosova
    Accounting Aid Society
    Detroit, MI

    2017-19 Award Recipient

    Catherine Martin
    Community Legal Services, Inc.
    Philadelphia, PA

    2016-18 Award Recipients

    Laura LaPrade
    Community Tax Aid, Inc.
    Washington, DC

    Catherine Strouse
    Legal Aid Society
    San Diego, CA

    2015-17 Award Recipients

    Daniel Knudsen
    Oklahoma Indian Legal Services
    Oklahoma City, OK

    Frank DiPietro
    Ronald M. Mankof Tax Clinic and the Center for New Americans
    Minneapolis, MN


    2014-16 Award Recipients

    Patrick Thomas
    Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic
    Indianapolis, IN

    Lany Villalobos
    Philadelphia Legal Assistance
    Philadelphia, PA

    2013-15 Award Recipients

    Susanna Ratner
    SeniorLAW Center
    Philadelphia, PA

    Susanna Birdsong
    National Women’s Law Center
    Washington, DC

    2012-2014 Award Recipients

    Jane Zhao
    Center for Economic Progress
    Chicago, IL

    Ana Cecilia Lopez
    University of Washington School of Law
    Federal Tax Clinic
    Seattle, WA

    2011-2013 Award Recipients

    Sean Norton
    Pine Tree Legal Assistance of Maine
    Portland, ME

    Anna Tavis
    South Brooklyn Legal Services/Immigrant Workers’ Tax Advocacy Project
    New York, NY

    2010-2012 Award Recipients

    Katie Tolliver
    Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands
    Nashville, TN

    Douglas Smith
    Community Action Program of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

    2009-2011 Award Recipients

    Laura Newland
    AARP’s Legal Counsel for the Elderly,
    Washington, DC

    Vijay Raghavan
    Prairie State Legal Services
    Rockford, IL