The long-term impact of an Equal Justice America Fellowship is not always measured by whether an alumnus remains in traditional legal practice.

Sometimes the experience helps a young lawyer discover an entirely different way to create change.

Hilary Deignan came to law school after working on housing and disability issues and seeing firsthand how public policy shapes outcomes for individuals and families. While attending Northeastern University School of Law, she served as an EJA Fellow at Greater Boston Legal Services.

The Fellowship provided early hands-on responsibility and exposure to the ways legal advocacy and public systems intersect.

Hilary went on to build a career in health policy. Today, at UMass Chan Medical School, her work includes advising states on ways to improve their Medicaid programs as well as teaching the next generation of professionals working in the field.

Her career is a reminder that the impact of a public-interest Fellowship can extend far beyond the original placement.

EJA Fellows go on to work in legal aid, government, policy, civil-rights advocacy, private practice and many other fields. The common thread is an early opportunity to see how legal knowledge can be used to address real problems affecting real people.

That is why EJA invests not only in meeting today’s need for legal assistance, but also in developing the people who will shape access to justice in the future.