"Many of our clients, if they didn't have our organization, would be going it on their own. And if they go to a criminal court on their own, they're being taken advantage of. We help thousands of people each year and it’s rewarding," he says.

As Falcone and his colleagues toil long hours for indigent clients, they are keenly aware of the reality of public sector law - the compensation for public interest lawyers is a fraction of what they would make in the private sector. This poses serious problems for young lawyers, who are often burdened with debt from their law school education. Fortunately for Falcone, his career in public interest law has been supported by an innovative program at California Western - the Adrianne Baker Fellowship Program.

The Baker Fellowship program provides debt relief for California Western graduates who decide to pursue careers in the public sector. Eligible applicants for the program must have more than $50,000 in law school debt and those who are selected receive Baker Fellowships to help them in their public sector careers.

Baker died of breast cancer in 2005, and California Western’s loan repayment assistance program has been named in her memory. A 1989 California Western graduate, Baker believed passionately in public sector work. She was an attorney at the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, which provides legal services to low-income individuals and disadvantaged communities. She later returned to California Western to serve as acting assistant dean for student and diversity services and as assistant dean for academic achievement.

"California Western has a strong and enduring tradition of reaching out to underserved communities," says Dean Steven R. Smith. "We want to take a leading role in giving our graduates the opportunities and the resources to work in public interest law. The Baker Fellowship Program is a tangible and highly effective way for California Western to encourage young lawyers to reach out to pressing needs in the world."