Reflections from the Field, Part 5: Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC)

Over the past summer I worked at the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC), which is a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. that provides free legal services for predominantly low-income Asian Pacific Americans in the Greater Metropolitan area. The organization assists clients on legal matters including immigration law, family law, business law, domestic violence, and housing. However, APALRC also participates in many other initiatives such as the Crime Victims Assistance Program, the Housing and Community Justice Project, and community outreach. Most of APALRC’s clients have limited English proficiency, so the organization has the ability to provide assistance in approximately twenty-five different Asian languages.

I managed the Vietnamese helpline and assisted mostly Vietnamese speakers with their legal matters. I conducted client intake over the phone, interviewed clients, drafted affidavits of support for immigration petitions, prepared witnesses for hearings, performed research, and wrote legal memoranda. My most interesting case involved filing an I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence because my client was potentially subject to deportation and I was the primary person working on her case. I enjoyed being given a great deal of responsibility and felt honored that the supervising attorneys gave me so much deference. Furthermore, I also worked on a case where USCIS was revoking a United States citizen’s citizenship. Accordingly, I worked on emotionally taxing cases where people’s lives were essentially in my hands.

My experiences at APALRC this summer gave me an opportunity to expand on my knowledge on substantive law, but also helped me grow on a professional and personal level. I gained the valuable experience of having a great deal of client interaction. I will never forget my first client interview where I was fighting back tears as I listened to my client’s disheartening human trafficking story. I tried my best to be sympathetic, but professional and authoritative at the same time. It was a challenge setting aside my emotions representing these indigent individuals, but with time and experience, I learned how to focus on the important legal matters at hand and not let my feelings get the best of me.

Linh Ly, 3L  

Reflections from the Field, Part 4: Office of the Public Defender (CINA Division)

This past summer I had the opportunity to intern at the Baltimore City Office of the Public Defender in the Child In Need of Assistance Division (CINA).  I had been wanting to intern with the OPD but I was a little worried about this particular office, because the clients are parents who are accused of child abuse or neglect.  During my interview for the position of law clerk, the supervisor asked if I could handle this type of work, because you don't really get to deal with cute and cuddly kids.  I said yes, but wondered in the back of my mind if that was the truth.  To be honest, a lot of cases deal with parents who have fallen on hard times.  Rather than the monsters you might expect in such an office, many of the clients have drug problems, mental health issues, or are simply poor.  A lot of work involves finding the right help for the parents, such as anger management workshops, parenting classes, or affordable housing.

My supervising attorney for the summer is exactly the person you want on your side if you have the misfortune of requiring a public defender.  She is very passionate and bends over backwards to help her clients.  If a client had no way of getting to the courthouse, she would provide a bus pass or a ride herself.  She has an extensive knowledge of community-based programs that provide aid and I swear she lived out of her office.

I had an amazing experience in my internship.  My supervising attorney gave me a variety of tasks, which I'm grateful for.  There was never a dull moment at that office and, although most times the work can be sad and daunting, the attorneys and staff find a way to stay positive and upbeat.  Thank you for the opportunity.

Amanda Kosmerl, 3L

Reflections from the Field, Part 3: Heartly House, Inc.

Courtesy of the University of Baltimore School of Law and the Maryland Legal Services Corporation, I had the wonderful opportunity to spend my summer working at Heartly House, Inc. in Frederick, Maryland.  Heartly House is a non-profit organization serving victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, sexual assault, and/or child abuse by providing shelter, counseling, legal services, and 24-hour support.

While working in the legal department, I conducted outreach in the courthouse to pro se petitioners seeking temporary protective or peace orders informing them of Heartly House services, did trial preparation for clients, drafted pleadings and motions, met with clients to help them file for divorce and/or custody, observed mediation, attended seminars throughout the state, and educated clients on Maryland’s new landlord/tenant laws providing benefits to individuals who have received final protective or peace orders.

Having the opportunity to serve the community of Frederick County, Maryland, the community I grew up in, this summer was an unforgettable and fulfilling experience.  The connections I made with clients and colleagues and the knowledge I acquired affirmed my decision to work in the field of public interest.  Thank you, University of Baltimore School of Law and the Maryland Legal Services Corporation for providing this grant allowing me to give back to my community.

Carin Janet, 3L

Reflections from the Field, Part 2: Homeless Persons Representation Project (HPRP)

This past summer I had the opportunity to work with the Homeless Persons Representation Project in Baltimore, MD. HPRP provides a number of legal services to the homeless and those at risk of homelessness, including direct representation in housing and public benefits cases as well as expungement of criminal records. My work this summer focused on public benefits cases (Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Stamps, Medicaid, etc). 

Working alongside staff attorney Francine Hahn, I was able to gain valuable experience in public benefits and administrative law. I also worked directly with the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, negotiating with agency appeals representatives to secure positive outcomes for our clients. I had a lot of direct contact with clients, conducting initial intake interviews, investigation, and on one occasion accompanied a client to her local DSS office. Working one on one with our clients was particularly eye-opening and rewarding at the same time. Many of our clients were families with young children - families who were living in homeless shelters, but were being denied the assistance they needed to purchase basic necessities like food. 

I also had the opportunity to work on matters of public policy, conducting legal research and drafting memoranda on issues related to public benefits. I found this work particularly rewarding, so I recently accepted a position back at HPRP as the Linda Kennedy Fellow in Advocacy for the 2012-2013 academic year. My experience this summer was truly transformative and would not have been possible without my MLSC/UBSPI grant. 

Spencer Hall, 3L 

Reflections from the Field, Part 1: Maryland Disability Law Center

This past summer I had the opportunity to intern full-time at the Maryland Disability Law Center thanks to the UBSPI Public Interest Grant, and my primary focus was working on the issue of access to transportation.  While I had interned with MDLC during the Spring 2011 semester, this time allowed me to intensify my work on accessible transportation issues, including work on paratransit eligibility and transportation options available to people with disabilities living outside of the paratransit service area, with a focus on individuals on dialysis who require transportation to medically necessary services.

Public transportation plays a vital role in the lives of most individuals living in urban and suburban areas.  The ability to use the bus and taxicabs provides people with increased and easier access to employment, education, entertainment and recreation, and medical services.  However, access to public transportation services is limited for many individuals with physical and/or intellectual disabilities.  A client once told me that, to her, transportation represents freedom, and I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to work with MDLC on improving access to this service for people with disabilities.

Kathryn Anderson, 3L 
UBSPI Co-president

Join us for the 19th Annual UBSPI Auction!

Please Join Us: UBSPI 19th Annual Public Interest Auction Join the University of Baltimore School of Law and University of Baltimore Students for Public Interest Law (UBSPI) for the 19th annual UBSPI auction! March 1, 2013 | 6:30-10 pm University of Baltimore Thumel Business Center (11 W. Mt. Royal Avenue) Enjoy live and silent auctions, tasty hors d'oeuvres, a beer and wine bar, and the opportunity to connect with fellow students and alumni, all while raising money for a good cause: summer fellowships at public interest organizations for UB Law students.       UB Students               Alumni/Friends $20 in advance            $40 in advance $25 at the door            $50 at the door Register Today! Not sure whether you can make the auction? Just want to provide a little extra support for UBSPI's mission? Just visit our secure donation site and donate to UBSPI!  All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. For more information e-mail: ubspi@ubalt.edu *If you'd like to update your contact information with UB and/or would like to define your communication preferences, please visit the alumni update contact info. webpage.  If you click on the email opt-out link, below, you will automatically be opted out of ALL alumni email communications.*

Summer 2013 UBSPI Grant Application Now Available

The purpose of the UBSPI grant program is to afford 1L and 2L law students an opportunity to secure funding for full-time positions during the summer with eligible public interest law organizations. 

There are two types of grants, designated grants (DG) and non-designated grants (NDG).  Depending on which organization you intern with, you will either apply for a designated or non-designated grant.  DGs are funded by the Maryland Legal Services Corporation, limited to students who obtain summer employment with specific public interest employers (click here for a link).  NDGs are wholly funded by UBSPI’s independent fundraising efforts and are open to UB students who work in a public interest summer job not on the designated list. 

Each grant will provide a sum of $4,000.00.  Grant recipients are expected to work 400 hours during the summer for which the grant is awarded (or 10 weeks at 40 hours per week).

The application for the 2013 summer UBSPI grants are now available for download on our TWEN page.  The application schedule is as follows: 

Wednesday, November 7, 2012     

Application is released via TWEN.

Thursday, March 7, 2013                

Applications (hard copy) are due no later than 5:00pm to the LCDO (Law Center, Suite 102).  

Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, March 5. 

Friday, March 30, 2013                   

Applicants will be notified of the final decisions.  (This date is subject to change).

To learn about previous grant recipient experiences, please peruse the older posts on the blog. Check back frequently, as we will be adding the Summer 2012 reflections on a weekly basis over the new few months!