The Fitch Law Firm is proud to help empower the next generation of advocates through higher education. Two years ago, our firm began awarding a $2,500 Truck Accident Awareness Scholarship to a student who thoughtfully investigates the dangers of commercial trucking accidents and offers meaningful solutions.
This year’s recipient is Alaina Mallette, a SUNY-ESF and Syracuse University graduate who will be entering her first year at the University of Maine School of Law.
A Powerful Message and a Proposed Solution
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Mallette’s essay, “No PAIN, No Gain,” stood out among other submissions for its comprehensive and grounded approach to addressing commercial trucking safety on the roads. Combining both quantitative and qualitative data, she emphasizes the power of human capital and suggests a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to tackling roadway safety for commercial trucks.
Her suggested Public Awareness and Improvement Nexus (PAIN) would be housed within state-level American Trucking Associations (ATA) and would be comprised of five primary roles:
- Public Education Specialist
- Transportation Engineer
- Technology Innovation Manager
- Driver Health Specialist
- Director
This team of experts would work together to advocate and raise awareness, analyze current problems, and identify solutions for truck drivers.
For Mallette, anecdotal stories of work on the road led her to the quantitative data that bolstered her essay. The experiences of her brother-in-law (an army veteran who became a truck driver after his service) and her stepfather (a former Carrier engineer who designed cooling systems for trucks) were pivotal perspectives that helped her understand the problems faced by truckers and the industry more broadly.
By investing in human capital, Mallette believes that the solutions that can be brought to the table become limitless.
Mallette’s Background and Future Goals
Mallette’s passion for advocacy is supported by a decade-long career in strategic community planning and a history of remarkable programs, including the U.S. Fulbright Scholars and the Peace Corps.
Motivated by a desire to serve public interest better, Mallette will be beginning her law school journey this fall. After years in the public sector, her exposure to land use lawyers and the aid they gave in helping an organization progress towards long-term community goals inspired her to pursue her own J.D. at Maine University.
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After her law education, Mallette intends to return to the public sector for work, where she can bring environmental and international law together to support communities. She envisions herself working at a high-impact agency or non-profit and is also considering the possibility of creating a land-use-related start-up that aims to design legal protections for communities and their natural environments.
About the Truck Accident Awareness Scholarship
To qualify for the Truck Accident Awareness Scholarship, each applicant is required to write a 1,000 to 1,500-word essay that does two things:
- Raises awareness of the current climate concerning commercial truck accidents
- Proposes a creative way to increase road safety
Applicants must also:
- Hold a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited U.S. college or university
- Submit proof of enrollment and an unofficial transcript
- Agree to the scholarship’s terms and conditions
All essays are reviewed by The Fitch Law Firm’s scholarship selection committee, and one winner is chosen each year following a thorough judging process.
The Fitch Law Firm: Advocating for Safer Roads and Better Futures
The Fitch Law Firm has a long-standing commitment to supporting personal injury victims and promoting public safety. By awarding this annual scholarship, we hope to encourage students like Mallette to continue being active participants in the fight for safer roadways.
For decades, trucking accident attorneys have helped injured Ohioans recover from devastating road accidents and secure the monetary compensation they deserve. We have successfully secured more than $150 million in verdicts and settlements, and we will continue to champion victims’ rights and uplift safety-focused initiatives across the state.