Research, Lectures, Motions: Getting Comfortable Being an Intern

I have spent the past two weeks at the Ponds Law Firm doing legal research, filing motions, writing motions, writing letters to clients and agencies, running errands, answering the office telephone, etc. Along with a fellow TWC intern, I met with a client in the office without my supervisor or anyone else to lead the meeting. We had to discuss the client’s options in drug treatment programs, as well as basic client-attorney relationship problems.  It was uncomfortable telling a man over twice my age how to behave in a business setting and that it would be in his favor to quit using drugs. The fact that we could hold this meeting with little to no preparation and absolutely no supervision was certainly empowering.

One of my assignments this week was to find evidence to prove that two Salvadoran men and their families were justified in their desire to immigrate to the United States because the prevalence of violent crime El Salvador. It seems absurd that some immigrants need to fight to prove mortal danger before the United States considers granting them entry. While I realize that the United States is not in an ideal condition at present, it is safe to say its situation is better than that of El Salvador. It was a strange experience trying to prove something that would allow people who fear for their lives to leave that extreme danger or not. It seems that it was an important assignment, so I was proud to do it; however, if the end result is not favorable, I suspect I would feel at least partially responsible.

I have found that I feel very comfortable in my work environment as long as I have an assignment that has been clearly-explained.  Undoubtedly, I am glad that I chose to come to Washington and spend my summer getting this experience. With very little exposure to any legal profession, I am still learning so much about everything from how to work a fax machine to the relationship between an attorney and his/her clients to the nuts and bolts of the judicial system.

At one of the most recent Washington Center programs, I heard a lecture by a professor and journalist who is pacifist and anarchist.  At another, I toured the Pentagon with other students in the Law and Criminal Justice Program.