LSU Law Class of 2024 graduate Alvaro de la Cruz-Correa, center, poses with the Ginger Berrigan Worker Bee Award from the Public Interest Law Society at LSU Law, along with PILS Faculty Advisor John Devlin, left, and 2023-24 PILS President William “Grey” Fitzgerald.
For his dedication to serving the legal needs of the community and his work with the Immigration Legal Services department of the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, LSU Law Class of 2024 graduate Alvaro de la Cruz-Correa has been honored with the Ginger Berrigan Worker Bee Award from the Public Interest Law Society at LSU Law.
“I was surprised and honored when I was first told that I would be recognized with the Ginger Berrigan Worker Bee Award,” said de la Cruz-Correa. “I am proud of the work accomplished here in Louisiana. I look forward to representing LSU Law and PILS in Washington State, where I will start my career as legal counsel for the Unaccompanied Children Program with the Immigrant Justice Corps.”
de la Cruz-Correa began working with Catholic Charities last summer as he prepared for his final year of law school. Over the next 10 months, he worked on over 25 immigration cases and logged over 150 pro bono hours.
“The caseloads I have worked on have encompassed diverse immigration matters,” he explained. “Likewise, I conducted legal research and spearheaded a legal education presentation series regarding re-parole for Afghan nationals and—under the supervision of a licensed attorney—drafted a successful Motion to Terminate Removal Proceedings.”
While his internship with Catholic Charities was unpaid, de la Cruz-Correa was one of 10 students who benefited from a PILS Fellowship, funded by the Law Dean’s Council, during the summer of 2023. In a profile for the fellowship, he described some of his childhood experiences as major factors for him pursuing public interest law.
“So many issues can be solved without strain or pain, but hills seem to turn into mountains when you do not know where to start,” he said. “I want to be successful while being a rock for anyone who may walk through my door so that my son Atlas and future children can see firsthand what good can do for a person.”
Professor John Devlin, who serves as faculty advisor for PILS, said de la Cruz-Correa’s remarkable work with Catholic Charities has also forged a working relationship with the Law Center that will provide opportunities for future students.
“Alvaro is a very worthy recipient of the Ginger Berrigan award,” Devlin said. “While he was a student, he dedicated hundreds of hours to assisting the Immigration Services Department of Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge in their work providing legal assistance to immigrants who would otherwise be unable to obtain legal representation.”
de la Cruz-Correa was one of just two graduates in the Class of 2024, along with Alaysia Johnson, to be recognized for having completed more than 100 hours of pro bono service. He earned a Juris Doctor, an optional Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law, and an optional Graduate Certificate in Estate Planning and Taxation.
The Ginger Berrigan Worker Bee Award is named for LSU Law alumna Judge Ginger Berrigan (’77). As a law student, Berrigan was a driving force in creating the first student organization focused on pro bono and public interest work at LSU Law. She continued to volunteer at LSU Law beyond graduation and was instrumental in the founding of PILS in 2005.
“PILS had no better model, mentor or friend than Judge Berrigan,” said Devlin. “This award is given annually by vote of the PILS Executive Board, to recognize that student who has best exemplified the ideals of Judge Berrigan.”
Berrigan was appointed to the federal bench by President Bill Clinton in 1994. From 2001 to 2008, she served as Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
