Forgoing the traditional retail and food court job, six local teens are spending their summers experiencing life as legal professionals.
The Future of the Law Institute Summer Internship Program immerses minority and economically disadvantaged high school students in the practice of law. Working side by side with King County judges, attorneys, bailiffs and other legal professionals, FLI interns are inspired to pursue the path to law school.
As put by Amanda, an intern from Renton High School, “It’s been a great experience and I’ve already learned a lot. I always wanted to be a lawyer and this internship gets me on the right track.”
The FLI Summer Internship Program launched in July thanks to King County Superior Court Judge Mary Yu and attorney Emily Harris Gant of Ogden Murphy Wallace, PLLC. Both Judge Yu and Gant serve as directors on FLI’s board. Judge Yu and her bailiff, Nilly Park, created internships in five courtrooms at the Kent Regional Justice Center, including theirs and those of Judges Deborah Fleck, Steven Gonzalez, Richard McDermott and Jim Rogers.
According to Judge Yu, “The students’ presence benefits us. We get to see the future of our profession firsthand. Having the interns here reminds us what serving the law is about.” Park added, “The FLI students are genuinely interested in the work and learn fast. It’s a thrill having them here.”
While some interns participate in the work of the court, one student is experiencing the other side of the bench at Ogden Murphy Wallace. The firm is generously providing a paid internship in its Seattle office. “We value FLI’s mission and are excited to offer a legal internship this summer,” said Don Black, the firm’s managing member.
“After reviewing nearly 20 applications, we selected an impressive candidate. This internship will introduce the student to the legal field, both through hands-on administrative tasks and job shadowing. The legal intern will attend depositions, client meetings, arbitrations and trials. All in all, we hope that this internship is one of many steps toward a more diverse legal community.”
With the addition of internships to FLI’s Mentor Program, Two-Day Institute and scholarships, the portfolio of law-related opportunities available to minority and economically disadvantaged high school students in the King County area is growing. However, need always exceeds resources. FLI was overwhelmed with applications from exceptional candidates for a handful of available internship slots.
The good news is that you can help. FLI is actively recruiting law firms and in-house legal departments to serve the profession (and get a jump on landing their next star attorney) by providing a six- to eight-week paid summer internship in their offices for summer 2008.
To learn more about joining the FLI Summer Internship Program, call KCBA Diversity Programs Manager Josh Isgur at 206-267-7052 or joshi@kcba.org.
