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Health & Fitness

Menlo Park City Councilwoman Kirsten Keith Receives Award for Distinguished Public Service

Golden Gate University School of Law's Public Interest Law Foundation to honor distinguished alumna Kirsten Keith (JD 94) with the 2013 Drucilla Stender Ramey Public Interest Achievement Award.

The Golden Gate University School of Law Public Interest Law Foundation has selected GGU Law Alumna Kirsten Keith (JD 94), City Council Member and former Mayor of Menlo Park as its second recipient of the Drucilla Stender Ramey Public Interest Achievement Award. The award, named in honor of GGU Law’s former dean and public interest champion, honors individuals in the GGU community whose outstanding work has advanced justice and social change in the lives of vulnerable populations.

“I am delighted to see GGU Law’s PILF organization honor Kirsten Keith. She exemplifies the very best of what GGU Law students and alumni contribute to the community—a rich tradition of public service.” said Dean Rachel Van Cleave.

Councilmember Keith, a Bay Area native, has dedicated her life to community service. While at GGU Law, she served as president of the GGU Law Public Interest Law Foundation. Also during her time at GGU Law, Ms. Keith clerked for the San Mateo County Legal Aid Society, and United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of California, Maria Elena James. She was also an intern at the International Institute of San Francisco, and the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, Family Violence Prevention Center. Upon graduating in 1994, Ms. Keith pursued a career in immigration law and criminal defense. Ms. Keith currently serves on several boards, including Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse, San Mateo County Service League, San Mateo County Legal Aid Society Luncheon Committee and the JobTrain Technical Advisory Committee. 

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“I am humbled and honored to receive the Golden Gate University School of Law Public Interest Achievement Award. Practicing public interest law is something that has always brought me great joy. I cannot imagine a better career than that of serving the underserved," says Councilmember Keith.

Ms. Keith will accept the award at the 2013 GGU Law Public Interest Law Foundation Auction. This important event raises funds to award grants to GGU Law students working in public interest positions. The auction will take place Thursday, April 4 from 5:00pm-10:00pm at the Minna Gallery in San Francisco, CA. Learn more about GGU Law's PILF Auction. For more information, contact Lisa Lomba, Director of Communications, Golden Gate University School of Law at llomba@ggu.edu

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