My Summer After 1L Year

When I was younger, I would always look forward to the end of the school year and the start of summer vacation. This past 1L year was no different. 1L was a challenge, so it was nice to have a couple of months to regroup, reorient, and relax. With everything that was going on during the year with all the crazy schedules, deadlines, and appointments, I really made sure to balance work and play during this time off.

This past summer I worked as a research assistant (RA) for the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic (LIJC) under Kayleen Hartman, one of the clinic attorneys. One of my main tasks was to launch and coordinate the docket screening project, which sent law students to the Detained Immigration Court in Downtown Los Angeles for the purpose of observing the master docket and collecting the information of respondents who may be require or be eligible for pro bono legal representation. Our purpose with the project was to connect respondents currently in removal proceedings with local organizations who could provide these pro bono legal services. Fortunately, we received amazing feedback from these local organizations who were excited to get law students involved with the immigration process. I currently still work as a research assistant with LIJC, and I’m happy to share that we are in our second semester and have students from UCLA, USC, and Loyola law schools of all years and levels of experience going to the court every week to volunteer their time and help with our cause.

 

My other task as a research assistant was (unsurprisingly lol) to do research, which really gave me the opportunity to work on my research skills and learn more about what has been going on with our country’s immigration system. Ultimately, I believe, in the current political and social state of our country, there was and is no better area of the law for me to have been involved in this year, and I am so happy to have had and continue to have the opportunity.

When I wasn’t working, I made sure to take care of myself, catch up with the people I wasn’t able to spend as much time as I would’ve liked, eat amazing food, and do fun things outside of the law school bubble. I made sure to go to as many concerts and music events as I possibly could so I could just let go and get lost in the music. I thoroughly utilized my respective annual passes at Universal Studios and Disneyland and made many MANY memories with the people I love.

I went to Dodgers games and cheered on my boys in blue – GO DODGERS!

 

And most importantly, I made sure to spend lots of time with my dog!

Thanks for stopping by friends! Until next time!