United States Magistrate Judge John M. Facciola ’66 has created a unique service opportunity for law students working for him this summer. Federal judges offer first- and second-year law students the chance to work in chambers as unpaid interns. Facciola decided that he wanted to provide his interns with both an opportunity to see the workings of a judge’s chambers and to become involved with public service organizations, such as the Advisory Council of the Legal Network, that provides legal services pro bono to people who cannot afford counsel. Among this year’s interns was Richard DiZinno ’96.

“I wanted to provide young people an opportunity to see how a public service organization operates and how important these organizations are in the administration of justice.” Facciola says. “I hope that I can start a lifelong involvement by young lawyers in the work of organizations like the Network.”

Facciola intends to call this position a “Brooks Internship,” in honor of Rev. John E. Brooks, S.J., the president emeritus and Facciola’s former professor. “I wanted to recognize the profound influence that Fr. Brooks had on so many of us who attended Holy Cross and then became lawyers and judges.” Facciola says. “I also hope that other Holy Cross graduates will be encouraged to create other ‘Brooks internships’ in their chambers and law offices and encourage their interns to volunteer for public service work.”

For more information, Facciola can be reached at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, 333 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C., 20001.