Legal Intern
- Job function (e.g., overall role, assigned tasks)
- I currently work as an intern at the Alameda County Superior Court\’s Self Help Center, where I’m on my way to complete 300 hours by May 2024 in helping self-represented litigants. I completed 150 hours in my first term from August 2023-December 2023. At the courthouse, I work in the Self-Help Clinic, alongside the staff attorneys, in where I assist litigants who are representing themselves in the areas of family law and civil law. For example, I work with litigants to fill out forms, review their case, and answer questions one-on-one, by appointment, or by phone/Zoom. Additionally, I also complete clerical tasks such as printing court forms, organizing packets, taking voicemails, making appointments. In some cases, I also provide language assistance to those who may need it.
- Examples of projects (e.g., list the projects you worked on and what you accomplished)
- I assist litigants in various different areas. I\’ve helped litigants in filing for divorce, civil harassment restraining orders, domestic violence restraining orders, elder abuse restraining orders, establishing parentage, petitions for child custody/support, filing for name change, guardianships, and evictions (unlawful detainers). So far, I\’ve completed over 200 hours of service at the Alameda County Courthouse. I also provide information to litigants during and after their court hearings, as needed.
- What you learned and how it relates to your major (e.g., describe what you learned from this experience in the context of specific courses)
- Not only have I been able to learn a lot of the procedural aspects of civil and family law, I\’ve been able to work one-on-one with members of my community. Being able to assist individuals who are unable to afford an attorney is so rewarding, especially when they\’re going through extremely difficult situations. I\’m currently an MIS major, and a legal studies minor, and I plan on attending law school after I complete my Bachelor\’s. Working directly with litigants, attorneys, and even judges has allowed me to gain a lot of knowledge on the legal field and has prepared me for what I need to know when I go to law school and become an attorney.