My Public Interest Summer, Part 4

This past summer, UBSPI - in conjunction with MLSC and the University of Baltimore School of Law - funded 11 UB law students to work in public interest organizations throughout Maryland.  Their stories and experiences will be highlighted on Out in the Streets throughout the year.  For more information about our summer public interest grants, click here.  

I had the fortunate experience of working with the Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center (MCVRC). For those unaware, the MCVRC is a non-profit legal service provider that aides victims of crime throughout the criminal justice system in Maryland.  The MCVRC not only aids victims in the courtroom, but also stands as an important resource for both victims and the community in general. Their services range from court accompaniment and representation to education, outreach, and mental health counseling.

My experiences were both challenging and fulfilling. My first assignment was to research, edit, and comment on a draft of agency regulations for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) - nearly all of which were adopted into the final draft. From there, I aided attorneys by researching for cases, editing legal documents, and investigating defendants' assets.  I also drafted and filled subpoenas and helped to institute 24 hour access for crime victims through an online intake interview that produces a document allowing victims of crime to assert their rights pro se in federal court all across US states and territories. My internship at MCVRC was far beyond simply filing papers - it provided me with real legal experience while I worked to make a difference.

In addition to my experiences, I should mention that the people with whom I worked were a true pleasure. From the legal team of competent and knowledgeable attorneys to the tireless and dedicated victim advocates, each provided me a sense of professionalism I had not experienced before. I learned a great deal from my co-workers and I personally recommend that any future public interest grantee should seek an opportunity to work with the employees at the MCVRC.

--- John Ozkirbas, University of Baltimore School of Law 

Apply for the University of Baltimore School of Law Public Interest Fellowship

Legal Aid's Chief Counsel, Shawn Boehringer, and Christina Sawyer, Esq, Baltimore City Domestic Law Unit Present:
 
Brown Bag Public Interest Fellowship Info Session
Wednesday, November 17th
12pm- 1pm, LC-207

 
The Public Interest Fellowship provides second year day and third year evening students a full-time, paid summer experience designed to lead to an offer of post-graduate employment.
The program gives students a $4000 stipend to intern for the summer and a forgivable loan for their full third year tuition and fees.
 
In exchange, the students commit to working for the placement (or other 501(c)(3) organization) upon graduation for a minimum of three years. Maryland Legal Aid Bureau and the Office of the Public Defender have partnered with UB to make this program possible. 
 
Interested?  Come to our meeting on Wednesday!
 
Applications for this fellowship due January 14, 2011 and will be available at the meeting.  You can also email ubspi@ubalt.edu to request an application. 

My Public Interest Summer, Part 3

This past summer, UBSPI - in conjunction with MLSC and the University of Baltimore School of Law - funded 11 UB law students to work in public interest organizations throughout Maryland.  Their stories and experiences will be highlighted on Out in the Streets throughout the year.  For more information about our summer public interest grants, click here. 

The Office of the Public Defender Juvenile Division in Baltimore City represents a wide range of clients and handles a massive caseload every year. I became interested in the Office of the Public Defender after spending two years working with youth on the Westside of Baltimore City and in Anne Arundel County. Following graduation from college I wanted to give back to my home town of Baltimore and serve youth who were wrapped up in the juvenile justice system. During that experience I encountered public defenders who were standing up for our clients and fighting for their freedom in the community and protecting their Constitutional rights. I knew that my talents were leading me to law school and from working with Baltimore City youth I was inspired to strive to be a public defender so that someday I too could stand up for those who were in need and protect their freedoms and rights.

During my summer in the Office of the Public Defender, I learned how trial attorneys prepare for cases on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. The constant challenge of a continuous flow of clients, cases, and issues was exciting and I jumped into the swing of things immediately. I quickly became the “exception man.”  In Juvenile Court a Master is appointed to assist the Circuit Court Judges with the caseload. The Master’s decisions are not final and when a youth disagrees with the Master’s recommendation an exception is taken. I was assigned to write memos in support of clients’ exceptions. These issues included the proper method for video evidence authentication, issues of Double Jeopardy and Collateral Estoppel, and other mistakes of law that were prejudicial to the client. Many of the issues I had not taken classes on just yet – but I used what I learned and did careful and efficient research to educate myself and the attorneys on the issues.

In addition to daily trial preparation work our office took several trips out to the Department of Juvenile Services out-of-home placements. We went to places like Hickey School and Waxters. Some were secured by barbed wires and others were group homes to help youth with physiological issues and drug addiction. Those experiences were heartbreaking, disappointing, and hopeful. Heartbreaking because we visited youth who lost the right to be with their families in the community because of their behavior – the loss of liberty is no small punishment for any negative behavior. Disappointing because at facilities like Hickey where there was enormous potential to use buildings and the property itself in new and creative programs to help the youth of Maryland, many impressive spaces lay in waste waiting to be reclaimed or demolished. Hopeful because some of the youth showed a real and genuine interest in changing their lives for the better. I walked away for the Office of the Public Defender with a sense that I helped fight for Constitutional values. I helped keep families together. I helped keep in check a system of juvenile justice that is broken in many ways. But I know that there is more to be done and that once I finish school and pass the bar (as if that were as easy as it sounds) I could return and fight the good fight.

--- Gary Stapleton, University of Baltimore School of Law  

UBSPI Wine and Cheese Reception - Thursday, November 11

Please join us next Thursday, November 11 from 6-8 pm in the UB Law Moot Court Room for our Public Interest Wine and Cheese panel and reception.  This is our marquee networking event of the semester and is a great opportunity to meet working practitioners in the field of public interest law.  A panel will run from 6-6:30, followed by a reception in the lobby until 8.  Soda, beer, wine, and hors d'oeuvres will be served.  

Attorneys from the following offices and organizations will be in attendance to discuss with you career advice and options:

* Baltimore City Department of Social Services (Legal Services Division)
* Homeless Persons Representation Project, Inc. 
* Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service
* House of Ruth
* Public Justice Center
* Mid-Shore Pro Bono, Inc.
* Office of the Public Defender
* Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education
* Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention
* Office of the Maryland Attorney General
* Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services
* Mecca's Place, Inc. 
* Maryland Legal Aid Bureau 
* United States Attorney's Office
* UB Law Clinics 

RSVP on our Facebook page (optional).  We hope to see you next Thursday for this great event!

Co-sponsored by SBA and PAD.