This summer through the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center, students are working and expanding advocacy across the globe as HOPE Fellows, Summer Public Interest Fellows, and Miami Scholars.
AYUDA - WASHINGTON, D.C.
"Spending my summer serving the immigrant community of Washington, D.C., as an intern at Ayuda has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I have gained invaluable knowledge in providing direct legal services to an underprivileged community. Whether it be preparing declarations or filling out last minute applications in response to policy memos, helping a person receive humanitarian relief has been a truly touching experience that has shaped and will continue to shape my legal career."
Beatriz Garcia
Rising 2L and Miami Scholar
CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS - CHICAGO, IL
"Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is attacking homelessness from all sides. This summer, I have had the opportunity to work with the agency’s administration, organizing, and development departments, in addition to my work with the Law Project. I have been able to advocate specifically for youth, conduct a community training, and attend numerous legal trainings - all of which will prepare me for the Children and Youth Law Clinic in the fall and my future career."
Brittany Frizzelle
Rising 2L and Miami Scholar
COLORADO STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE
“This summer I am once again interning for the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office in the 13th Judicial District of Colorado, a jurisdiction larger than the size of Maryland. It is my privilege to defend people each day, and I plan on continuing this fight for justice after I graduate next spring.”
Ben Longnecker
Rising 3L and winner of the HOPE 2L Pro Bono Award in 2018-19
CENTRO DE LOS DERECHOS DEL MIGRANTE - MEXICO CITY
“This summer, I am working in Mexico City at Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, a binational nonprofit organization that defends low-wage migrant workers' rights. This experience has taught me a lot about temporary work visa programs and the intersection between immigration and employment law. My favorite part of the summer so far was traveling to Guanajuato to give a presentation about workers' rights and resources to avoid falling victim to fraudulent recruitment practices.”
Sara Hastings
Rising 2L and Miami Scholar
LOS ANGELES COUNTY OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER - LOS ANGELES, CA
“I was so fortunate to clerk for the Los Angeles County Office of the Public Defender during my first law school summer and I fell in love with the people and the work. Because of the HOPE Fellowship, I am able to return to Los Angeles, and to the Public Defender's office. I have been able to continue to grow as a person, as a future attorney, and as a social justice advocate.”
Maddie Seales
Rising 3L, Miami Scholar, and HOPE Fellow
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE - MIAMI, FL
"In the first year of law school, we spend hours in the library and in the classroom reading and discussing case law. At the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, I saw how some of that law affects the lives of real people in our community on a daily basis. I am grateful for the perspective I gained and I am humbled by the wonderful clients and the dedicated trial team I had the opportunity to work with this summer."
Alexa Flora
Rising 2L and Summer Public Interest Fellow
(Pictured L to R: Training attorney and APD Keyla Smith, APD Christina Robinson, Alexa Flora, APD Sanite Ermat, and APD Conrad Clifton.)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION - WASHINGTON, D.C.
“My placement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington D.C. allows me to play a hands-on role in protecting investors and ensuring the integrity of our nation’s financial markets. Learning the real-world application of our securities regulations, while also working with market participants each day, has been a tremendous opportunity to grow my legal skills in the industry in which I intend to pursue my career.”
Jordan Saddoris
Rising 3L and HOPE Fellow
TIBETAN LEGAL ASSOCIATION - DHARAMSHALA, INDIA
“My placement at the Tibetan Legal Association allows me to address important human rights issues and gain on the ground experience in international law. Working at the grassroots level in a foreign country is invaluable not only to my legal education, but to my growth as a legal professional.”
Gitanjali Howard
Rising 2L and HOPE Fellow
