In recognition of outstanding public service, the William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law has awarded 3L students with the Judge William Wayne Justice Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Law and the Chris Marshall Endowed Presidential Scholarship. These scholarships honor alumni who have made significant contributions to public service.
“The remarkable achievements of our scholarship recipients are truly inspiring,” says Nicole Simmons, director of the Justice Center. “We are profoundly grateful to the generous donors whose contributions have made these scholarships possible, enabling these exceptional students to pursue impactful careers.”
Judge William Wayne Justice Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Law
The Judge William Wayne Justice Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Law was established in 1997 to be awarded to “a third-year law student who evidences a commitment to promoting, as an attorney, civil rights and civil liberties in the United States.” William Wayne Justice ’42 served as the U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Texas before being appointed to the federal bench in 1968, where he served for over 40 years. Justice worked courageously to protect civil rights, uphold constitutional freedoms, and ensure equal justice for all.
The class of 2025 scholar is 3L Cate Byrne, who serves on the executive boards for Getting Radical in the South and the Public Interest Law Association. She is also the director of public interest relations for OUTLaw. Byrne is a member of the Justice Center’s student advisory board and a Pro Bono Scholar, helping lead the Mithoff Pro Bono Program’s Expunction Project. She has participated in the Criminal Defense and Capital Punishment clinics and worked as a research assistant to Professor Lee Kovarsky.
In the summer after her first year, Byrne worked with the Federal Community Defender for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Capital Habeas Unit. The summer after her second year, Byrne interned with the Colorado State Public Defender and the ACLU of Texas.
Chris Marshall Endowed Presidential Scholarship
The Chris Marshall Endowed Presidential Scholarship is awarded annually to 3L students of outstanding academic excellence who plan to remain in Texas after graduation to practice public service law in nonprofit, government, or legislative positions. Clyde Christopher Marshall ’77 was a Tarrant County assistant district attorney, chief of the Tarrant County district attorney’s appellate division, and a statewide leader in appellate law. Gift funds for the scholarship endowment were donated in his honor by Marshall’s family, friends, and colleagues.
The class of 2025 scholars are 3L Harry Katz and 3L Eliot Schulte.
Katz helped lead pro bono initiatives as an Expunction Project Pro Bono Scholar and a Parole Project Team Lead. He also participated in the Children’s Rights Clinic and is currently a student in the Immigration Clinic. During the summer after his first year, Katz interned for the Office of the Public Defender in Palm Beach County, Florida. The summer after his 2L year, he interned for Lawyers for Children in New York. Following graduation, Katz plans to represent Texas children in child welfare cases.
Schulte currently serves on the Justice Center’s student advisory board as a Public Service Scholar. She is also a former Pro Bono Scholar, where she assisted Afghan asylum seekers. As a 2L, Schulte served as a Society Program Dean’s Fellow and on the executive board of Texas Law Fellowships. In the summer after her first year, Schulte interned at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and American Gateways. The summer after her 2L year, she interned for the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender. Following graduation, Schulte will clerk for U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra of the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii sitting by designation on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. After her clerkship, Schulte will remain in Texas and begin her career as a public defender.
A version of this article originally appeared on the Justice Center website.