2012 TLF Candidates

The applications are in, and Pledge Drive is on. To vote, either drop by our table (10am-2pm M-F) or donate online.

Here’s the list in pdf form.

Candidates:

Aaron Tucker(2L)

U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Environmental Defense Section. The U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Environmental Defense Section represents the United States in complex civil litigation under various pollution control statutes in both the Federal District and Appellate Courts, as well as brings enforcement actions under certain provisions of the Clean Water Act. EDS defends rules issued by the EPA and other agencies under the pollution control laws as well as the claims for contribution, response costs, and natural resource damages at Superfund sites.

This summer as an intern with the Environmental Defense Section I will assist the staff attorneys through research and writing projects related to both the section’s enforcement and defensive docket. Specifically, my will work will include drafting research memoranda, drafting portions of court filings, as well as attending moot arguments, client meetings, and depositions.

Abby Anna Batko-Taylor(2L)

Travis County Mental Health Public Defender. The Travis County Mental Health Public Defender was the first public defender’s office in the country (that’s right) to create a special docket for mentally ill defendants. Mentally ill misdemeanor defendants are referred from Travis County Jail. Meetings are held jointly with the district attorney’s office to determine what legal and social service action is best for the client’s situation. The Defender’s office shifts the criminal justice paradigm by referring clients to social and mental health services instead of incarceration.

The goal of my work is to expand alternatives to incarceration for mentally ill defendants. I will be working with mentally ill defendants in Travis County Jail and developing their psychosocial profiles and criminal defense strategies. I will be working closely with social workers and prosecutors to plan with clients for the best possible legal and social outcome. I will also be doing legal research and writing an article on a topic related to mental health and criminal justice issues.

Adela Kelly(1L – 1)

Office of the Attorney General of Texas – Child Support Division . The Attorney General’s Child Support Division is responsible with assisting parents in obtaining the financial support necessary for children to grow up and succeed in life. To encourage parental responsibility, the Attorney General establishes paternity of children establishes court orders for financial and medical support and vigorously enforces support orders. The Attorney General promotes the emotional involvement of both parents in the life of the child by working with community groups, schools and hospitals.

The Child Support Division provides free legal assistance for parents seeking child support orders from non-custodial parent. The Office does not represent a particular parent but it represents the State and it primary purpose is protecting the child’s interest. The appellate division for which I am assigned handles child support appeals from all Texas court. My responsibilities include reviewing the trial records, researching legal issues, drafting memos and assisting my supervisors in preparing their appeals.

Aleza Remis(1L – 3)

US Attorney’s Office – Boston, MA. The US Attorney’s Office in Boston is the primary litigator for the United States in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. They take both civil and criminal cases and works hand-in-hand with other federal, state and local law enforcement to bring cases on behalf of the United States as well as defend when the United States is the defendant. I will be working in the Criminal Division, split into eight divisions including Organized Crime, Major Crimes, Health Care and Anti-Terrorism crimes.

I will be working in one of the eight sections within the US Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Divisions. My preferences are Organized Crime and Gang Unit, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement or Anti-Terrorism. Within one of those sections, I will be assigned to one or two lawyers and will work primarily on case development, research and writing. Additionally, I will be attending public hearings and trials in which the assigned attorney participates during the summer.

Alyssa Flores(1L – 4)

Texas Advocacy Project. Texas Advocacy Project is a statewide nonprofit based in Austin that promotes access to justice for Texans and their children. The organization was founded in 1982 as a legal hotline but has grown to provide free legal services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Most importantly, the Project helps domestic violence survivors with children receive legal services to break the cycle of violence in a safe environment.

As a law clerk at Texas Advocacy Project, I will be assigned to the Assisted Pro Se Program providing victims of domestic violence and their families with free legal assistance. Under my supervising attorney, I will work directly with pro se clients and participate in trial and hearing preparation. I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to work with families in need and gain valuable real world experience.

Annick Ashley(2L)

Texas Attorney General & Mosaic Family Services. The Attorney General is the lawyer for the State of Texas and is charged by the Texas Constitution to: defend the laws and the Constitution of the State of Texas, represent the State in litigation, and approve public bond issues.Hoping to work in the criminal prosecution division, especially gaining experience in human trafficking prosecution.

Mosaic Family Services provides culturally competent services to refugees and immigrants in crisis including victims of family violence and human trafficking. Will be working on family law and immigration cases for victims of violence and human trafficking.

Antonia Paris-Hudson(1L – 2)

Texas Appleseed. Texas Appleseed strives to sow the seeds of justice to effect systematic change. A sample Texas Appleseed’s diverse and notable initiatives include: 1)addressing the school-to-prison pipeline by focusing on the link between school disciplinary policy and gateways to the juvenile justice system; 2)promoting fair financial services though consumer protection and economic inclusion for immigrant communities; and, 3)improving access to justice through monitoring reforms to the immigrant detention system, and advocating for better representation for juveniles and defendants with mental disabilities.

My internship will involve research and advocacy around the legal aspects of public policy issues, including activities like analyzing bills, looking at precedents for legal theories related to impact legislation, and real world impacts and processes of the courts. The internship will also involve some amount of working with stakeholders and developing white papers and/or preentations for a variety of different audiences.

Arielle Linsey(1L – 1)

US Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of NY. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York represents the United States as the principal litigator for its judicial district encompassing three of the boroughs of New York City and Long Island. The Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes that occur within the district. The division handles a variety of cases involving crimes such as business and securities fraud, public corruption, acts of terrorism, and organized crime.

As a summer intern, I will be assigned to a unit within the Criminal Division to work with attorneys and assist with different aspects of case preparation. My responsibilities will include legal research and writing, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing evidence. I will also have the opportunity to observe courtroom proceedings. I am looking forward to spending the summer learning about criminal prosecution and working in government.

Ashley Steele(1L – 3)

TX Defender Service. Texas Defender Service’s goal is to improve the quality of representation afforded to those facing a death sentence through training and consulting with trial lawyers, post-conviction litigation, and policy advocacy in order to expose and eradicate systemic flaws in capital punishment cases. The nonprofit organization, which now has offices in Austin and Houston, was established in 1995 by experienced and distinguished death penalty attorneys who wished to see a fair and just criminal justice system in Texas.

I will assist staff attorneys and mitigation specialists by conducting legal research, drafting memoranda and motions, and investigating for active cases. This will include traveling to interview jurors who have decided capital cases about whether new evidence would have influenced their decisions during trial. One of the biggest factors in my decision to attend UT in particular was the opportunity to do post-conviction work on death penalty cases in Texas, so I am thrilled to work for TDS.

Ben Cukerbaum(1L – 2)

Federal Public Defender – N District of TX. The office of the Federal Public Defender represents indigent clients in North Texas that have been accused of federal crimes. These are individuals that could not afford legal representation but are guaranteed the right to counsel in the 6th Amendment of the constitution. In addition to representing indigent clients at the trial level, the Federal Defender’s office also handles appellate cases for indigent individuals.

While working at the Federal Defender’s office, I will be engaged in research and memo writing as well as trial preparation, client intake, and investigative duties. I will conduct case law research, draft trial motions, undertake federal sentencing guideline analyses, and assist with drafting appellate briefs. Additionally, I will attend trials with the attorneys and assist them there.

Brittany Glass(1L – 1)

Save Our Springs Alliance. For over 20 years, the Save Our Springs Alliance has worked to protect the Edwards Aquifer, its springs and contributing streams, and the natural and cultural heritage of the Hill Country region and its watersheds, with special emphasis on Barton Springs. The organization provides a legal voice for the water, wildlife and open spaces that are integral to the health and culture of Central Texas, as well as the 1.5 million Texans whose drinking water comes from the Aquifer.

Brittany will assist SOS Alliance attorneys in advocating for the protection of biodiversity, sustainable transportation solutions, and land and water stewardship in Central Texas. The work will include legal research and writing related to issues of water quantity and quality, and assisting with environmental litigation in state and federal court. In addition, Brittany will be responsible for providing support for administrative permit hearings, zoning and local land use decisions, and environmental assessment compliance.

Carina Iverson(2L)

Harris County District Attorney’s Office. The Harris County District Attorney’s office resides over the nation’s third largest county with 4.1 million people and 34 municipalities. The office represents the state in all criminal matters and works closely with the private and public sectors to reduce crime.

I am going to spend this summer learning about litigation and criminal law. I am excited to work with the Assistant District Attorney’s in my division to learn what it takes to move a caseload from a complaints to trial.

Caroline Carow(1L – 4)

Office of the Attorney General of Texas – Child Support Division . As the official child support enforcement agency for the State of Texas, the Office of the Attorney General provides services for parents who wish to obtain or provide support for their children.

I will primarily be learning to resolve disputes between parents so they may obtain the financial support necessary for their children to lead happy, healthy, and productive lives. As a dual degree student with the School of Social Work, I’m interested in focusing on conflict resolution and family law in my career. I am excited for the opportunity to explore these areas with the AG’s office this summer.

Catherine McCulloch(1L – 2)

Disability Rights Texas. Disability Rights Texas is the legal protection and advocacy agency for Texans with disabilities. The organization provides direct legal services to Texans with disabilities and works to advance laws and public policies that protect the rights of people with disabilities.This summer I will be advocating for the civil rights of Texans with disabilities. Under the supervision of two attorneys, I will be representing people with disabilities in a variety of matters, including employment discrimination, health care, special education, and foster care.
Catherine Wagner(1L – 3)

Texas Civil Rights Project. The Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP) is a nonprofit organization in Austin dedicated to promoting racial, social and economic justice through litigation and community education. TCRP pursues individual justice as well as structural change in the justice system and maintains programs in a wide range of issue areas under the social justice umbrella. Among these are civil rights, disability rights, workplace and labor rights, domestic violence, veterans’ affairs, language access, prisoners’ rights, school safety, and other social services.

My responsibilities will include legal research and writing on substantive civil rights issues in the areas of prisoners’ rights, police brutality, disability discrimination, and free expression. I will also participate in interviewing potential clients and engage in further client interaction, investigation, and research for cases the organization pursues. These civil rights issue areas align perfectly with my longtime passions, and the experience will allow me to develop the professional skills I need to become an effective civil rights advocate.

Christina Maranhao(1L – 4)

Office of the Attorney General of Texas – Child Support Division – Legal Counsel. The Child Support Division (CSD) assists parents in obtaining financial support for their children. The CSD works to protect the rights of children to receive financial support and encourages the involvement of both parents. The Legal Counsel for the CSD oversees the implementation of federal and state statutes, regulations and policies. The section is dedicated to strengthening child support enforcement and generating initiatives that promote the welfare of children and healthy family relationships.

The goal of the Division is to work towards promoting the welfare of children and healthy family relationships. In the past I have worked directly with children in need; this internship will give me insight into another way in which I can use a legal career to help children. I will assist in drafting contracts and procurement solicitation documents. In addition, I will have the opportunity to assist in the establishment and enforcement of child support.

Christine Lu(1L – 4)

Office of the Attorney General of Texas – Child Support Division . The Child Support Division of the Attorney General’s Office establishes and enforces child and medical support. Staff members help locate absent parents, establish paternity, and moderate negotiations. In addition, the Child Support Division is responsible for the entirety of the child and medical support process from establishment and enforcement to review and adjustment and finally, payment and distribution. The Central Austin Field Unit staff alone manages 27,000 cases for child and medical support in six Central Texas counties.

This summer I will be clerking at the Central Austin Field Unit of the Child Support Division of the Office of the Attorney General where I will assist attorneys in legal research and aid in drafting legal documents. In addition to shadowing attorneys in court and managing their cases at the office, I look forward to moderating negotiations between parents concerning support for their child and conducting the due diligence necessary to maintain updated information on each case.

Christopher Olson(1L – 2)

TX Office of the Attorney General – Child Support Division. The Attorney General’s Child Support Division assists parents in obtaining the financial support necessary for their children to grow up and succeed in life by supplying parents with a range of child support services at no cost. Despite collecting more child support than any other state in 2009, Texas parents owed over $13 billion in child support. The Attorney General aims both to encourage parental responsibility by enforcing support orders and promote parents’ emotional involvement in their children’s lives.

I will assist the state in the establishment of paternity and the enforcement of orders at the child support courts in Travis and Williamson Counties. I will also review and manage cases under the guidance of the Managing Attorney General, draft legal documents, and assist with the maintenance of court dockets. Overall, I hope to gain a better understanding of courtroom procedure and family law in general, while helping Texas’ youth garner necessary financial support.

Coulter Goodman(2L)

U.S. Attorney’s Office – Southern District of Texas. The Southern District of Texas is the 7th largest district in terms of personnel, representing 43 counties and 8.3 million people. It prosecutes more cases against more defendants than any other U.S. Attorney’s Office in the nation. The office works closely with several different investigative agencies to ensure a coordinated law enforcement response to crime. Prosecutors prioritize crimes that have exclusive federal jurisdiction or are uniquely national or international in dimension.

I will be working in the Major Offenders unit which investigates and prosecutes crimes involving alien smuggling, human trafficking and international organized crime gangs and organizations. Included in that unit is the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance, a task force dedicated to rescuing victims of trafficking and prosecuting their abusers. I am excited about my work this summer, which will include performing federal criminal research and writing, meeting with federal investigative agencies, and assisting with trial and witness preparation.

Deanna Markowitz(1L – 3)

Texas Defender Service. Texas Defender Service is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that represents prisoners on Texas’ death row in their post-conviction proceedings. TDS strives to serve as a benchmark for quality of representation of death-sentenced inmates. Additionally, TDS provides assistance to capital trial lawyers with the early stages of capital litigation and thorough investigation and preparation. TDS is committed to improving access to high quality representation for indigent capital defendants and strengthen due process protections throughout the criminal justice system.

This summer I will be working with Texas Defender Service in Austin to learn from and work with experienced death penalty attorneys. I will have the opportunity to be involved with the representation of prisoners on Texas’ death row in post-conviction proceedings, primarily in federal court. Additionally, I will be involved with the early stages of capital litigation, assisting with investigation and preparation in order to provide quality representation for death-sentenced inmates and meeting with inmates on death row.

Derrick Ward(1L – 2)

American Civil Liberties Union of Texas. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) works to defend and expand individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and state and federal civil rights laws. The ACLU of Texas is currently the eleventh largest ACLU affiliate in the United States.

My work will be primarily related to the ACLU’s Youth Rights Campaign. Using litigation and policy analysis, we hope to stem the school-to-prison pipeline and find alternatives to youth incarceration. The Youth Rights Campaign’s broad focus encompasses keeping students from entering the criminal justice system, ending the use of solitary confinement of children in prisons and jails, and ensuring all children are treated equally in Texas schools.

Elizabeth Nguyen(1L – 3)

Catholic Charities of Dallas. Catholic Charities of Dallas is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides social services in the areas of Elderly and Family Services, Refugee and Empowerment Services, Immigration and Legal Services, and Children & Adoption Services and Community Outreach, without regard to religious affiliation. Catholic Charities of Dallas is a partner of the Diocese of Dallas and Catholic Charities USA and has been serving the North Texas community since 1891. In 2011, Catholic Charities of Dallas provided services to over 70,000 individuals.

This summer I will be working as a Legal Intern in the Immigration and Legal Services division of Catholic Charities of Dallas. The Immigration and Legal Services division provides counseling and representation to low-income individuals in areas such as family immigration, citizenship, and employment discrimination, as well as for refugees, asylees, and immigrant victims of domestic violence. In this position, I will be assessing cases, preparing applications, and advising clients. Additionally, I will conduct relevant research and participate in outreach.

Jeavon Ehler(1L – 4)

The National Senior Citizens Law Center. The National Senior Citizens Law Center mission is to protect the rights of low-income older adults. Through advocacy, litigation, and the education and counseling of local advocates, NSCLC seeks to ensure the health and economic security of those with limited income and resources, and, for everyone, keeping the courts open for justice. NSCLC works to preserve and strengthen Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and SSI—programs that allow low-income older adults to live with dignity and independence.

My passion is to advocate for low-income older adults—a disadvantaged community that crosses all gender and racial lines. This summer, my work will be focused on research and writing related to Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicaid—particularly Medicaid for payment for assistance provided to enable persons to remain living at home. I humbly ask for your support as I advocate for the dignity and independence of low-income older adults.

Jeb Golinkin(2L)

US Attorney’s Office – District of Columbia. US Attorney’s Offices create law jobs by being a thorn in the side of criminals and corporations alike.

I will be punishing white collar criminals for their transgressions (namely, fraud). This is a worthy task not only because violations of the law ought to be punished…but also because the prosecutors existence creates the opportunity for those of you working with big law firms to make serious $$$ attempting to keep these white collar criminals out of jail.

Jeremiah Walters(1L – 2)

Nueces County District Attorney’s Office. I will be working at the Nueces Counry District Attorney’s Office. The office is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases within Nueces County. My duties this summer will include legal research, jail calls, helping in the taking of deposistions, crime scene investigations, and trial assistance.

My internship with the district attorney’s office will include legal research, crime scene investigation, jail calls, and trial assistance. I come from the city for which I will be working for this summer and have witnessed first hand the effect of criminal activity on a community as I come from one of the roughest and most gang infected areas of the city. I hope that my work within the district attorney’s office this summer will instill in me the skills that I need to work toward pro-social rectification. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Jeremy Scheppers(2L)

Federal Public Defender – N District of TX. The Federal Public Defender’s Office offers effective counsel to federal defendants who cannot afford to retain their own representation at both the trial and appellate levels. These services are guaranteed to indigent defendants through the Sixth Amendment. The Office for the Northern District of Texas provides representation for indigent defendants charged in North Texas and maintains offices in Dallas, Ft. Worth, Lubbock, and Amarillo.

This summer I will intern with the Federal Public Defender in Dallas. The Federal Public Defender’s Office serves a critical role in our legal system by ensuring effective representation of indigent defendants who otherwise would be unrepresented. My internship will consistent of hands-on trial and appellate work including interviewing clients and potential witnesses, drafting pre-trial motions, undertaking federal sentencing guideline analyses, assisting at trials, drafting appellate briefs, and attending various court hearings.

Jorge Ramirez(1L – 2)

South Texas Civil Rights Project. For over 30 years the South Texas Civil Rights Project has provided free legal services to low-income persons, and has implemented the philosophy that community education and organizing go hand-in- hand with court action to solidify legal and systemic changes.STCRP has emerged as one of the foremost proponents of civil rights in the Rio Grande Valley, on the US/Mexico border, on behalf of farm workers and other economically disadvantaged individuals. STCRP is committed to the eradication of social, legal, and political barriers which deny active and equal participation in the benefits of society to low-income, disenfranchised community members. To this end, they work on the fields, colonias, and courts to solidify positive change so that marginalized and disenfranchised people can live with dignity, opportunity, and equality.

I will assisting Staff attorneys working on impact litigation to advance civil rights in the south Texas valley. My work will include legal research, drafting memos, briefs, and motions in areas such as:employment law, police brutality, disability discrimination, violence against women and free expression.

Julie Patel(2L)

GA Attorney General’s Office – Commercial Transactions and Litigation. The Georgia Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to the agencies, officers, and employees of the state of Georgia. It is committed to carrying out the statutory and constitutional duties required of the Attorney General. The Commercial Transactions and Litigation Division of the Office is made up of the following sections: Business and Finance, Tax, Real Property, Construction, and Transportation and Authority. This division deals with issues ranging from garnishment hearings to multimillion-dollar tax disputes.

As an intern in the Commercial Transactions and Litigation Division of the Georgia Attorney General’s Office, I will get the opportunity to help draft pleadings and briefs, prepare and attend discovery proceedings, draft and review contracts, and work on cutting-edge financing issues like public private initiatives. All of the work will help provide a greater understanding as to how a government agency operates within the framework of the Georgia Constitution.

Layla Garcia(2L)

Travis County Attorney’s Office. The Travis County Attorney’s Office subdivides into the Criminal Trial Division, the Civil Litigation Division, the Transactions Division, the Enforcement Division, the Health Services Division, the Tax Collection Division, the “Hot Checks” Division, and even an “Underage Drinking Prevention Program!” They conduct all misdemeanor criminal prosecutions, are responsible for issuing orders for involuntary commitment and domestic violence protection, and advise, represent, and defend the elected and appointed officials of Travis County at the municipal, state, federal, and appellate court levels.For twelve weeks this summer, I’ll be experiencing a fast-paced, broad-based, municipality-centric internship with the Travis County Attorney’s Office. At this Office, one confronts a caseload diversity ranging from adult-oriented business violation enforcement, and the seizure of hoarded animals, to civil rights and constitutional law issues. Whether prosecuting a visiting professional athlete’s DUI, or fast tracking the permitting process for a major motion picture —- its never a dull moment at the Travis County Attorney’s Office!
Liesel Rickhoff(2L)

Alaska Public Defender. The Alaska Public Defender Agency exists to provide the citizens of Alaska with the highest quality client-centered legal representation in Alaska’s criminal justice system. In addition to representing indigent persons in criminal cases, the Public Defender Agency also handles certain civil matters. The Agency represents parents in child in need of aid cases, juveniles in delinquency cases, and persons in mental health commitment proceedings.

I will be working with the Alaska Public Defender Agency in Palmer Alaska. I will represent clients, in court, in bail hearings, arraignments, and misdemeanor sentencings. I will also represent clients in evidentiary hearings, trials, juvenile delinquency hearings, and other hearings. Some of my duties will include negotiating cases, visiting clients in jail, and writing motions. Please help me get to Alaska!!!

Mackenzie Meador(1L – 1)

Paso Del Norte Civil Rights Project. PCRP is an office of the Texas Civil Rights Project, which is based in Austin. The El Paso office opened in 2006 and has since achieved substantial systemic gains in the region, using education and litigation to effect structural change and promote racial, social, and economic justice. PCRP’s successes include helping community members to form a Labor Justice Committee, successfully litigating several Americans with Disabilities cases, and obtaining settlements for individuals harmed by police or Border Patrol misconduct.

I’ll spend the summer working within PCRP’s Civil Rights and Economic Justice Programs. The Civil Rights Program encompasses discrimination, prisoner’s rights, and police misconduct, while the Economic Justice Program focuses on stemming wage theft and labor abuse. The office is small, with only two attorneys and four other employees, so I’ll have opportunities to get involved in every aspect of the litigation process as well as with training programs that help community members learn to advocate for themselves.

Marquette Bycura-Abdollahi(1L – 4)

American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona. The ACLU of AZ works daily in the courts, Arizona Legislature and communities statewide to defend and preserve individual liberties guaranteed to all by the laws of Arizona and the laws of the United States – with particular focus on the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution. Current substantive areas of focus for the ACLU of AZ include: School-to-Prison Pipeline, Immigrants’ Rights, Racial Profiling, Educating and Mobilizing Youth, Improving Prison Conditions, and Protecting the Right to Vote.

This organization is small but has an enormous caseload. Thus, I have been assured I will dabble in all cases on the docket. I am particularly excited to work on Immigration Legislation litigation. In earning my MA in Social Justice and Human Rights, I wrote my thesis on Immigration Legislation’s structural violence. I am eager to leave the ivory tower, and use my newly acquired legal knowledge to combat in what is referred to as “ground zero” of immigration politics.

Martin Oberst(1L – 3)

US Securities and Exchange Commission – Office of International Affairs. I will intern in the Office of International Affairs (OIA) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC’s mission is “to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation.” The SEC enforces securities laws and ensures that entities within its reach disclose market-related information to promote transparency. The OIA plays a major role in advancing the SEC’s mandate by providing the agency with “advice and assistance in international enforcement and regulatory matters.”

As an intern at the SEC, I will be assigned to a supervisor attorney and receive assignments equivalent to those given to young attorneys. My tasks will include legal research, document review, drafting memos, and factual preparation for meetings, presentations and testimony. I will get the chance to attend meetings, testimony and closed Commission sessions. I also hope to use my fluent French while working at the Office of International Affairs.

Matt Pyeatt(1L – 2)

International Justice Mission. IJM is an international human rights agency that brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and other forms of violent oppression in twelve countries around the world. IJM lawyers intervene in individual cases of abuse in partnership with state and local authorities to secure victim relief, perpetrator accountability, victim aftercare, and structural transformation.

This summer I will work as a legal intern in IJM’s field office in Nairobi, Kenya, supporting attorneys who represent victims of sexual violence, police brutality, and illegal detention. My legal work will include preparing submissions for court and assisting in the preparation of court appearances and client interactions. I will also conduct research on structural transformation to help IJM operate more effectively in the Kenyan legal system and to take measures to protect vulnerable individuals from future victimization.

Matt Stewart(1L – 4)

Texas Advocacy Project. Now in its 30th year of service, Texas Advocacy Project provides free legal services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. As the only organization in the state to focus exclusively on these issues, the Project works to stop the cycle of violence for women and children through multiple legal channels. The Project focuses specifically on assisting those who, due to a variety of barriers, are often unable to find help from traditional non-profits.

As a summer clerk at the Texas Advocacy Project, I will be engaged in a variety of legal work, including research, drafting briefs and pleadings, and assisting staff attorneys with trail preparation. In addition, I will be working directly with women and children in need, through hotline screenings and extensive assistance to pro se clients.

Matthew Kinskey(1L – 2)

US Attorney’s Office – District of Columbia. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is responsible not only for the prosecution of all federal crimes, but also for the prosecution of all serious local crime committed by adults in the District of Columbia. In addition, the Office represents the United States and its departments and agencies in civil proceedings filed in federal court in the District of Columbia. Because of its unique responsibilities, the Office is the largest U.S. Attorney’s Office in the country

With the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, I will assist federal prosecutors in examining issues for indictments and investigations ahead of trial. I will be working in the Criminal Division’s Fraud and Public Corruption Section, which prosecutes misconduct by officials of both federal and local governments for violations of the public trust, including improper use of office and improper personal enrichment. I am eager to expand my knowledge of law and its relationship to government this summer.

Meera Krishnan(1L – 2)

TX Attorney General – Child Support Division. As the official child support enforcement agency for the State of Texas, the Office of the Attorney General provides services for parents who wish to obtain or provide support for their children.The Office of the Attorney General provides parents with a full range of child support services at no cost. The services are required by federal law and funded by the federal government and the State of Texas.I will be going to court three times a week—observing, and then eventually leading, pre-hearing settlement meetings with parents in Travis and Williamson County. By the end of the summer, I will be working as a non-attorney Child Support Officer–which means that I will do intake interviews with clients and draft settlements as well. I will gain an in-depth understanding of this specific branch of family law, and hope to continue volunteering with the Division this fall.
Megan Sheffield(2L)

American Gateways. American Gateways was founded in 1987 as the Political Asylum Project of Austin (PAPA), as a response to the legal needs of the large number of Central American refugees. The organization provides low cost legal services to new immigrants who cannot afford private attorneys. American Gateways also conducts ‘Know-Your-Rights’ presentations and self-help workshops to give new immigrants the tools they need to be able to navigate our immigration system and advocate for themselves and their families.

As an intern for American Gateways, I will assist with removal (deportation) defense, including preparing documentation of claims for asylum and other persecution-based relief, and cancellation of removal. I will conduct client interviews and assist in preparing applications and petitions to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for victims of domestic abuse, trafficking, and other crimes. I will also visit detainees at the Pearsall and Hutto DHS detention centers, and assist with the Legal Orientation Program

Meredith Weaver(1L – 4)

Disability Rights Texas.
Disability Rights Texas, a 501(c)(3) organization formerly known as Advocacy, Inc., exists to help people with disabilities break through barriers of discrimination, ignorance and negative stereotypes to achieve their goals by advocating for public policy changes and providing direct legal assistance. the organization’s clients have a wide range of disabilities and their services cover a broad scope from accessibility and employment discrimination to education and health care.

Clerking for Disability Rights Texas will provide legal experience working directly with clients. For instance, I will be able to assist in providing services to parents of children with disabilities as they prepare for ARD meetings – a service that the organization extended to my parents years ago as they raised a child with disabilities. I will also have the opportunity to work in less familiar areas such as representing clients in the juvenile justice system or those facing employment discrimination.

Nathan Miller-Rider(1L – 1)

California Attorney General’s Correctional Law Section. Deputy Attorneys General in CLS represent employees of the Department of Corrections in civil suits filed by prisoners and parolees. Cases range in scope from state tort claims to complex constitutional issues.

Summer interns assist deputies with legal research and writing projects; prepare civil pleadings, including motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment; draft civil discovery requests and responses; and assist in drafting appellate briefs. Interns may have the opportunity to accompany and assist deputies at depositions and trials.

Olga Medina(1L – 3)

American Civil Liberties Union of Texas. The ACLU is the nation’s guardian of liberty. The organization works to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person by the Constitution and the laws of the United States. The ACLU of Texas is a local affiliate that has been at the forefront of the struggle for civil rights in Texas since 1938. Since then, it has worked to protect civil rights and civil liberties in the state through litigation, advocacy, and educational outreach.

Given the increased level of activity surrounding immigration at the state and local level, I hope to contribute to the work of one of the leading legal organizations working on this issue. I will be working at the ACLU of Texas investigating potential impact litigation and developing a strategy to promote the organization’s immigrant rights campaign. In addition to assisting in ongoing litigation, I will help advance the organization’s advocacy on behalf of immigrant communities through its state-level campaign work.

Oscar Salinas(1L – 1)

Travis County District Attorney’s Office. The Travis County District Attorney’s office represents the public in both civil and criminal matters. The office also pursues positive criminal justice reforms and works toward ensuring the safety and strength of our community. I will be interning for the Family Justice Division; this division is responsible for all civil and legal matters dealing with children and families. The division prosecutes those who have violated the sex offender registration laws and also handles domestic violence cases.

My eleven-week internship will consist of legal research and writing, case preparation, and interviewing of witnesses. My fluency in Spanish and the skills that I have acquired will be a great asset to this office. This internship will allow me to gain practical skills and knowledge about the criminal justice system. I plan to pursue a career in public service. A prosecutor not only represents the public, but also vows to uphold the integrity of our criminal justice system.

Phillip Harris(1L – 1)

Innocence Project. The Innocence Project of Texas works to gain exonerations for men and women who have been wrongfully convicted in the state of Texas. They accept hundreds of applications from all across the state, and then evaluate them and litigate those that have potential innocence claims. They are continually investigating new methods of exoneration as well as working to change the laws in Texas to prevent future wrongful convictions.

The Innocence Project of Texas receives a staggering number of applications from potential exonerees from all over the state. These include men and women who have spent a decade or more behind bars, potentially unjustly. As an intern in the Dallas office of the Innocence Project of Texas, I’ll review those applications and research their conviction histories, looking for potential claims of innocence. I will also assist in any legal proceeding carried out during the summer, and investigate any new or novel methods of exoneration.

Rigel Farr(2L)

US Department of Justice – Environment and Natural Resources Division. The Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice handles environmental litigation on behalf of the United States. Nearly one-half of the Division’s lawyers bring cases against those who violate the nation’s civil and criminal pollution-control laws. Others defend environmental challenges to government programs and activities, and represent the United States in matters concerning the stewardship of the nation’s natural resources and public lands.

I will be working in the Land Acquisition Section. The Section is responsible for acquiring land through condemnation proceedings, for use by the Federal Government for purposes ranging from establishing public parks to creating missile sites. The Land Acquisition Section is also responsible for reviewing and approving title to lands acquired by direct purchase for the same purposes. I will assist the Division’s trial lawyers in preparing cases for filing and conduct legal research with regard to land acquisition aspects.

Rory Hatch(1L – 1)

Disability Rights Texas. Disability Rights Texas is a non-profit organization that advocates for the rights of disabled Texans. Their attorneys frequently provide legal counsel to disabled individuals who face discrimination, neglect, or abuse. Additionally, as a federally designated legal protection and advocacy agency, Disability Rights Texas is able bring legal action in its own name to fight for people with disabilities. It recently made headlines for its efforts to stop the frequent abuse of residents at state facilities for disabled people.

This summer, I’m excited to work with Disability Rights Texas , an Austin-area nonprofit that helps disabled Texans assert and defend their legal rights. With Disability Rights Texas attorneys, I will be representing disabled individuals in cases involving employment discrimination, health care, special education, foster care and more. Many of these people probably wouldn’t have legal representation without Disability Rights Texas. This cause has a lot of personal significance for me, and I would be honored to have your support. Thank you.

Ryan Meltzer(1L – 1)

American Civil Liberties Union of Texas. The ACLU of Texas is currently the 11th-largest ACLU affiliate in the nation. Although its legal and policy priorities are shaped by the unique political geography of its home state, the ACLU of Texas shares the core values of the national ACLU: personal privacy, freedom from unreasonable searches, religious liberty, humane treatment of prisoners, reproductive rights, and freedom from unconstitutional discrimination. To advance these values, the ACLU of Texas employs a combination of impact litigation, policy advocacy, and public education.

I will be working on the ACLU’s criminal law reform campaign. The campaign’s long-term goals are to end over-incarceration in Texas, with a particular emphasis on eradicating racial disproportionality in arrests, convictions, and incarceration; end the privatization of prisons and jails in Texas; end the excessive use of solitary confinement in Texas prisons; and end the death penalty in Texas. I plan to focus my work on impact litigation and policy initiatives addressing over-incarceration, solitary confinement, and private prison issues.

Sam Jacobson(1L – 3)

New York Legal Assistance Group – Special Litigation Unit & Mississippi Innocence Project. New York Legal Assistance Group’s Special Litigation Unit initiates class action and impact lawsuits on behalf of groups of individuals who experience a problem representative of a broad failure in the delivery of government benefits and services. Mississippi Innocence Project seeks to identify and address systemic problems in the criminal justice system and to develop initiatives designed to raise public and political awareness of the prevalence, causes and societal costs of wrongful convictions.

I will conduct legal research and investigation, and draft memoranda, pleadings, and briefs in support of NYLAG litigation addressing such issues as low-income New Yorkers’ ability to access food stamps and the disabled elderly’s right to receive government-funded home care. As an intern at MIP, I will participate in investigative work, visit inmates at various Mississippi prisons, screen applications of inmates, respond to inmate correspondence, and draft briefs for MIP attorneys on current cases.

Samantha Blons(1L – 2)

Disability Rights Texas. Disability Rights Texas is a nonprofit agency that protects and advances the legal and human rights of Texans with a broad range of disabilities. The agency works to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to businesses and health services, protects students’ rights to special education services, and advocates on behalf of individuals whose rights have been violated.

This summer, I will be working to secure access to essential services, such as education, housing, and health care, for Texans with disabilities. I will be interviewing clients, drafting pleadings and memos, researching, and assisting with administrative hearings. I am thrilled to be working to protect and advance the civil rights of persons with disabilities in this state, and I thank you for participating in the Texas Law Fellowships pledge drive.

Sarah Bryant(1L – 1)

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid’s mission is to promote the dignity, self-sufficiency, safety and stability of low-income Texans by providing high quality legal assistance. There is a tremendous need for these services; the ratio of eligible clients to legal aid attorneys is 21,000 to one. TRLA serves approximately 25,000 clients each year in over three dozen practice areas, including civil rights, environmental justice, labor and employment, public benefits, disaster assistance, foreclosure, bankruptcy, wills and estates, border issues, and human trafficking.

This summer I’ll be working with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid to ensure that low-income Texans have access to free, quality legal services. I’ll assist attorneys on a range of cases including foster youth rights, family law, fair housing, and human rights abuses. Through preparing legal documents, going to court, and working one-on-one with clients to guarantee their voices are heard, I’ll have the privilege of assisting those in need while gaining experience in legal aid practice. Your support is appreciated!

Stancell Haigwood(1L – 2)

North Carolina Attorney General’s Office – Special Prosecutions Section. The Special Prosecutions Section of the NC Attorney General’s Office assists the District Attorney Offices throughout the state in the prosecution of criminal cases when requested to do so by a District Attorney and the Attorney General approves. This section also serves as legal adviser to the State Bureau of Investigation, and represents SBI agents and other criminal justice officials (judges, magistrates, interns of court and prosecutors) when sued for acts committed in their official capacity.

As an intern with the Special Prosecutions Section of the NC Attorney General’s Office, I will assist the Special Deputy Attorney General prepare pretrial motions, handle discovery, secure the attendance of necessary witnesses, and assist, as needed, with post-conviction motions for appropriate relief, criminal appeals, and federal habeas corpus proceedings. This internship is an ideal opportunity for me to experience the rewards of a career in public service, and to work alongside some of North Carolina’s very best attorneys.

Stephanie Matherne(1L – 3)

Texas Advocacy Project. Texas Advocacy Project provides free legal services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Domestic violence is not limited to any one group of people, thus the Project offers legal services to all who need them, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. Many non-profits provide free legal services, but TAP specifically aids victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking; victims of these crimes have unique legal problems that can best be solved by a specialized organization.

As a clerk for TAP, I will aid staff attorneys with research and writing as well as with trial and hearing preparation. I will also screen clients on the Project’s legal hotline. Additionally, I will assist my own clients as part of the project’s pro se divorce program, which helps survivors file their own divorces. This variety of experiences will allow me to gain exposure to the various legal issues that are related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Stephanie Trinh(1L – 3)

Disability Rights Texas. Having a disability can be more difficult than the day to day challenges of mental and physical disabilities. People with disabilities must face obstacles including discrimination, ignorance, and negative stereotypes that hinder their rights. Disability Rights Texas is the federally designated legal protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities in Texas. Its mission is to help people with disabilities understand and exercise their rights under the law, ensuring their full and equal participation in society.

My experience working with people with disabilities is what motivated me towards a career in public interest. I now find myself lucky enough to be spending this summer at Disability Rights Texas working with experts in advocating for disability rights and effecting change towards fair treatment and equal rights. I will be representing people with disabilities in a variety of legal matters, including employment discrimination, health care, special education, foster care and more.

Tara Moriarty(1L – 3)

Equal Justice Center. The Equal Justice Center’s mission revolves around empowering low-income workers and families to receive equal treatment in the workplace and in the justice system. They work to remedy unpaid wages, minimum wage violations and unjust firings, and combat other basic injustices. The Equal Justice Center has enabled low-wage workers to recover more than $3.8 million in unpaid earnings. They work for systemic reforms that strengthen employment rights and expand access to the justice system for all low-wage workers.

I will be responsible for handling wage recovery cases for low-wage workers who have been unjustly deprived of compensation. These workers have been exploited by employers preying on their vulnerable immigration statuses. I will have the opportunity to help low-wage workers support themselves and their families, and uphold their own dignity through fair compensation for their honest labor. I will also help these individuals gain essential access to the justice system, regardless of poverty or immigration status.

Ted Grant(1L – 4)

US Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of NY. The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York is the chief federal law enforcement officer in five New York counties: Kings (Brooklyn), Queens, Richmond (Staten Island), Nassau and Suffolk.

Interns participate in the wide range of work performed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys. Assignments include assisting in trial preparation, participating in witness interviews, and legal research/writing. Interns may observe District Court hearings and trials and even have opportunity to participate.

Tina Herrero(2L)

Travis County District Attorney’s Office. The District Attorney’s Office represents the state and victims of crime in the prosecution of felony and juvenile offenses committed in Travis County. The office also represents the Department of Family and Protective Services in civil suits affecting parental rights.Family Justice Division- Responsible for all criminal and civil legal matters within the jurisdiction of the District Attorney’s Office regarding children and/or their families and prosecutes domestic violence cases and violation of sex offender registration laws.
Trevor Sharon(2L)

Department of Homeland Security US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The USCIS chief counsel provides legal advice to the director and other senior USCIS leaders on legal issues associated with the USCIS mission, as well as providing legal support to USCIS components and the DOJ Office of Immigration Litigation; providing legal advice on the adjudication of applicants for temporary visa status, permanent residence, citizenship and asylum; offering legal education and training to USCIS personnel; reviewing legislative and regulatory proposals; representing USCIS in visa petition appeals and in administrative proceedings.

I will be assisting the attorneys at USCIS with legal issues such as civil suits from wrongful visa denials or preparing legal arguments for issues that are being reviewed through the appellate process. I will not be assisting with deporting any individuals.

Leave a Reply