The John P. Gismondi Fund

The John P. Gismondi Fund was established in January 2014 to provide summer employment opportunities to University of Pittsburgh law students at Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) or other similar public interest non-profit organizations providing legal services to those in need. The program is financed by a $225,000 donation to the Foundation by Pittsburgh attorney John P. Gismondi. Gismondi, a well-known, local trial attorney and Past President of the Allegheny County Bar Association, has been an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law for more than 25 years and is a graduate of the university and its law school. 

According to Gismondi, the fund fulfills two purposes: “My goal in setting up this program was to help law students develop clinic skills and at the same time provide free legal service to folks in need. I am pleased that we are accomplishing both of those goals and that the students seem to like it.” 

For ten weeks over the summer, Gismondi Fellows work at Neighborhood Legal Services and other public interest organizations representing clients in a variety of legal proceedings. 

Applicants must meet the following criteria: 

• Completed second year of law school at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. 
• Eligible to be certified to appear in court pursuant to Pa. Bar Admission Rule 321.