Why did you choose to work with one of the clinics?
I felt like the individualized supervision I could get in a clinical program would provide more guidance than what many people get in their first jobs, and the responsibility that clinical students have for their cases is more than I would be able to get at any other internship while still a student.
What was your most memorable case, and why?
I had a divorce case that lasted pretty much the entire school year, and I got my client a restraining order from her abusive husband. I got her the divorce, and then I filed a complaint for contempt when the husband didn't transfer the 401(k) money they had agreed to split in the separation agreement. This was probably my most memorable case because by working with one client for so long, I became really involved in her life and invested in helping her with each problem as it came up.
What is the importance of representing cases pro bono?
One of the things I noticed is that many of our clients could never have won their cases if they hadn't been represented. I had an unemployment case, and when the client first told his story, I thought we would never win. When I asked for certain details about how he was fired, though, I realized we could win. If he was on his own to tell the story to the review examiner at the division of unemployment assistance, he would have told his first version where he left out many important things that he would not have known were important. Everyone has the right to counsel for criminal defense, but there is no such right to representation in civil matters—although I think there should be for some. There will always be far more people who need representation in their divorces, or evictions, or government benefits than there will be legal services lawyers. Pro bono representation is the only way that many of these people with strong cases will ever be able to have full access to the legal system.
What did you gain from participating in the program?
The time I spent doing work for the clinic was far more satisfying than work I did for other classes because I felt like I accomplished something with every hour I put in. It wasn't at all about getting a good grade but about getting results for people who were relying on me. I also think it will help me get a job because when employers see the clinic on my resume, they know that I have practical experience—I have seen how the rules of evidence or civil procedure operate in court, not just in a textbook.
What are your plans after BU Law?
I might stay with legal aid work, which isn't something I thought I would do when I started law school. I was much more interested in public policy than individual representation before I did the clinic. Now I think I'd like to do a combination of both.
What advice would you give to incoming students curious about the clinical programs?
Everyone should do one of the clinics, especially those considering a career in litigation, but also people who aren't sure but want a taste of it before they graduate. They should talk to someone who has done a clinic to find out more about it because it's definitely a commitment, but it is worth it for the experience you gain.
