After meeting Laura Devine at an internship fair last fall on my campus, she made a lasting impression on me that left me inspired to be a part of this program if I received an opportunity. Laura seemed elated when explaining the program and I really appreciated the time she took to expand on her experiences with the program. It was inspiring to see someone so passionate for helping others, while also learning a great deal about the legal system, as I strive to do. I want to help others like Laura has, as this process of being a self-representing litigator, though I have not been in that position, must be incredibly daunting and exhausting. I hope that when anyone is distressed I can assist them, and it seems like this is an amazing organization for me just to do that. I hope that through this experience I can grow my understanding of the legal system and its affects on others. I feel as though working diligently with those who are in dire need of legal help will advance me in the path of law at a rapid pace. Being immersed with people who have …show more content…
limited access to legal assistance will be an eye opening experience for me, where I can no longer be ignorant to some of the issues of the legal system our society is in today. Though I have opportunities to take on greater roles with my school’s student government in the upcoming year, I cannot see that being nearly as rewarding as JusticeCorps.
JusticeCorps allows me to be involved with my community, helping more than just my peers. I feel as though this is an opportunity to go beyond myself and actually make a lasting impact. Though at our student union I can create influential change, especially through the editing of bylaws, I really desire to see change of people who need it the most. It is a gratifying experience to work with people closely rather than do administrative work which will slowly and eventually create change. After reading testimonies on the site, people seem to leave the program knowing that they made a definite difference in one’s life, and that sounds incredible to me. I really just believe that if I have a chance to support others, that I can make a difference as
well. I also hope that I grow a greater yearning for pursuing public interest law. I also have a deep passion for improving equal access to legal representation, as I believe it is a basic right in our country. I really would enjoy an opportunity to be present in a courtroom and immerse myself with peers also interested in the same cause. I know I would gain legal and professional skills, along with a network of fabulous co-workers, and the ability to walk away with gratitude that I was able to help others.
This past week SUU’s native American student association (NASA), hosted their 38th annual powwow. Our club, the SUU Polynesian club was invited to dance for thirty minutes between their activities and we happily accepted. After we danced we were invited to come back so that we could watch and experience the native American culture. I was surprised to see how similar their culture was to ours!
Last week, Natalie Wolf spoke to our class. Mrs. Wolf discussed some of her cases in the Delaware Superior Court, the Delaware Supreme Court, the Delaware Industrial Accident Board, in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and in the Circuit Court for Cecil County. She is a partner at Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor out of Wilmington, Delaware and successfully received her J.D. from Georgetown University (she told us to go to the best school you can get into- her firm does not accept applicants from Widener University School of Law). She also said she represents persons injured in auto accidents, work accidents and medical accidents (negligence, etc.). When she was just starting out, she represented insurance companies in personal injury and
As a pre-law student I have always aspired to go to law school and eventually work in legal academia. Working as a corps member will help me develop some of the skills that I will use the rest of my life as a law professor. Teach For America is the next step for me because it is an opportunity to for me to cultivate the skills necessary to be a successful teacher and be a part of an organization that is fighting against the inequalities in
Gaining an in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice system, throughout my Bachelors program has been exciting as much as an eye opener. Some of the subjects were ones that I did not expect. There were also, ones that had no idea how ignorant I was on the subject.
The “GIDEON’S ARMY” film documentary follows the personal stories of Travis Williams, Brandy Alexander and June Hardwick, three young public defenders who struggle against extensive working hours, little wage and awe-inspiring caseloads so common that even the most dedicated in the profession frequently give up in their first year of labor. From watching this film it has come to fruition in my mind that only a select few can do what these young men and women put up with on a weekly basis. In the film all three public defenders attempt to provide high quality representation despite the overwhelming odds against them. They all have from top to bottom student loan debt which causes an extraordinary amount of stress to them and other public defenders in the profession. This film was also very depressing. Just from watching this film for a couple of minutes one can get very down on themselves. By the time I was done observing it I had to turn on a more motivational show because the film was really that disheartening. The Stakes were incredibly high for the defendants which faced some of t...
My major is Paralegal Studies and I expect to graduate with an Associates of Arts degree in December of this year. Many years ago, as an investigator for both a private company and a county agency, I was introduced to the legal field. Recently, I was awarded the opportunity to attend college, so I decided I wanted to reenter the legal profession as a paralegal. The paralegal profession appeals to me, because I enjoy the processes of developing a case, as well as its legal aspects. A paralegal is involved in a case from the beginning to the end; from the initial client interview to assisting the attorney during the client’s trial or the settlement process. My goal is to become a paralegal for a solo practitioner or a small firm in my local area who represent clients in different areas of the law.
My first exposure to the criminal justice system was while in high school when I was fortunate to be chosen for an internship with a District Judge John Vance in Dallas, Texas. Judge Vance made certain I had a rich and varied experience. He had me to sit in on several high profile cases in his court and to participate in preparing cases for trial with a prosecutor and defense attorney. In addition, he encouraged me to visit other courtrooms and courthouses to observe the proceedings. This along with him coordinating visits at local jails and law enforcement agencies gave me a broad and well-rounded perspective of the criminal justice system. I recall fondly, sitting in on closing arguments at the federal courthouse; the prosecutors practiced
Moot courts also teach professionalism and ethics to students of law, to apply law to fact, to structure and rank a legal argument by strength, and not to assert losing propositions. They provide law students opportunities to improve their legal writing, legal research, and oral advocacy in a competitive environment that prepares students for a competitive world. The moot court experience is perhaps the most important activity in law school. It is the activity that fully develops the skill every lawyer must possess: advocacy. Regardless of practice area, all lawyers must communicate in a way that advances their client’s interests, whether in a courtroom or boardroom. Most important, moot court builds character. Every student competitor “will be a better lawyer, and a better person, because of the moot court experience.”
Throughout my four years in high school I have been fortunate enough to fulfill many of my aspirations and my thirst for knowledge. One goal that I would like to achieve is to become an international attorney. I have aligned my involvement in specific academic and extra-curricular activities to aid me preparing for the long road between my present situation and the day I pass the bar exam. Through my high school activities I have learned three virtues that I have deemed necessary to achieve my goal, passion, self-discipline, and perseverance.
I write to you, a letter of my deep humility and authentic nomination for Maria Creasey-Baldwin. In recommending an exceptional advisor and counselor for the Philip and Miriam Perlman Award, Maria comes to mind most immediately. As an Academic Advisor for the Trio Programs, Maria has long exemplified a level of commitment to enhancing student success and diversity at the University of Utah. In 1998, Maria became an Upward Bound Advisor to high school students, a role she has served in until 2009. In 2010, Maria became an Academic Advisor for the Student Support Services for college students, which she is serving in now. All while serving as an extraordinary mentor and emotional support provider to all low-income, minority, and first generation college students.
I am hoping to be able to build upon the relationships I have already established with fellow judicial participants and meet new students involved with YAG who share my passion for the program. I would like to offer help and advice to others on North Carolina’s team as well as continue to better my own Mock Trial ability. There is still so much for me to learn about the trial process, and it excites me to think how I can continue to hone my Mock Trial skills. I think it would be great to then be able to take what I have learned back to our state as a Mock Trial officer and consequently raise the standard for our state competition. There is much I would like to take away from this year’s National Judicial Competition, but my last hope is that I get to carry that 1st place banner back to North Carolina. It would be an immense honor to represent North Carolina in Mock Trial on the national stage. I look forward to every regional meeting, pre-con, and each year’s state conference. I cannot get enough of Youth and Government! I would love to be able to compete in Chicago this summer at the National Judicial Competition. Thank you for your
... education alone. The stark reality leaves much desired, success determined through unfavorable components, which my cousin never had, where you live, money, and education. Limits stop individuals from growth and career aspirations which contributed to my cousin becoming an at risk youth. Throughout my experiences, I learned that second chances could bring individuals thought lost back to the fold and be successful. My hope is that law school will contribute in my drive towards social activism. Law school will help me in my continued efforts for children’s success. Furthermore, my guidance, of course extends to people who face similar circumstances such as my cousin. Society stigmatized the indigent, cycles formed, and members of the family remains entrenched with their future remaining uncertain. I want to serve communities in overcoming the limits set by society.
...taged population. I understand first-hand how powerful an impact understanding, patronage and reassurance can affect a person. My years of working for a non-profit agency and practicing mediation have helped me develop my communication skills, active listening, discern messages from body language, withhold judgment and guide participants to resolve conflict through discussion. As an active part of my community I volunteer as a New York State certified mediator helping people negotiate some highly charged emotional issues such as custody or visitation court ordered agreements. I have a strong dedication to the field, therefore, committed to absorbing as much as I can from my studies. I look forward to being able to apply the lessons I learned to my future endeavors. I am honored to be in consideration for this scholarship, once again, thank you for the opportunity.
For my field experience, I chose to attend a court case. On October 14th, 2015 I went to the District of Columbia court and watched a sentencing. It was not at all what I initially expected although after sitting in class for several weeks I was not shocked by it. What surprised me most was the informal, personal nature that the whole process had. The experience was interesting and I feel that I learned a lot from it.
My interest in public interest law, nonprofit advocacy, and social justice began at a very young age. My passion was influenced by my upbringing, as well as my journey down a path different from what my family and culture envisioned. It is this same divergent path that has led me to me to pursue the legal profession today.