July 13, 2018
As summer gets into full swing, we would like to introduce our summer student interns in our San Francisco office. This year, we are fortunate to have a Development and Communications intern and two summer law clerks, who will assist with a variety of pro bono projects as well as with the Justice Bus.
Join us in welcoming Clare, Kimy and Swaaliha to the OneJustice team!
Welcome Clare! What drew you to the work of OneJustice and what will you be working on this summer?
OneJustice’s commitment to helping any person who needs legal aid regardless of circumstance or location really resonated with me. Since I was little, I have been volunteering with the homeless in Los Angeles, and I have noticed their lack of access to justice. The United States’ convoluted justice system makes it impossible for anyone except lawyers to understand its procedure. Furthermore, OneJustice helps more than just people with immediate needs. It focuses on trying to fix the source of injustice.
Clare Burgess, Development & Communications Intern
This summer, I am working as OneJustice’s Development and Communications intern. So, I will be assisting the DevComm team with any projects regarding development or OneJustice’s social media presence, such as writing this blog post.
What were you up to before coming to OneJustice?
I am a rising junior at Claremont McKenna College majoring in Government. At CMC, I write for the Claremont Journal of Law and Public Policy; I recently wrote an article comparing nonprofit laws in the United States and in the United Kingdom. Also, this past semester I studied theology and philosophy at King’s College London. And last summer, I had an internship with the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
What’s something quirky about you?
I have a twin sister who looks nothing like me.
Thanks Clare! Now, we welcome Swaaliha! Why did you choose OneJustice for your summer clerkship and what will you be doing this summer?
I was first introduced to OneJustice during the SFO protest regarding the Muslim Ban that OneJustice played a huge role in organizing. I had never been apart of a protest of that scale, so watching the information move through the hundreds and hundreds of people that showed up was awe-inspiring. OneJustice also came to Hastings during my first year of law school and did PI/PS Day. So, I interviewed with them.
So, I am on the Pro Bono Justice Clinics team. Since being on the team, I have been to a couple of the clinics through the Justice Bus program. At the clinics, I am responsible for the organizational aspect of the clinics (signing in clients, etc.). I have also been able to help consult and sit down with clients. I assisted with filling out their paperwork, while simultaneously doing the support staff work.
What were you up to before coming to OneJustice?
Kimy Cabrera (left) and Swaaliha Abdul-Rahman (right) – Pro Bono Justice Summer Law Clerks
As a 1L at Hastings, I participated in a few of the volunteer clinics. The best times I have had in law school have been while doing the volunteer clinics. One particular clinic I have enjoyed was LARC that was held at Hastings. So, basically one Saturday each month people from the Tenderloin and all over come to Hastings. We (the law students) do their intake, and then they are referred to legal volunteers for their free legal consultation. I am also participating in the Homeless Legal Services Program, where law students go to homeless shelters and help with their intake. These programs are extremely grounding and helped me connect with people.
What’s something quirky about you?
I was born two months premature, and I am a huge Harry Potter fan. So, one time when I had to write a paper, I titled it “The Girl Who Lived.”
Finally, we welcome Kimy! What drew you to the work of OneJustice, and what will you be responsible for this summer?
In law school, I learned that I really wanted to work in human rights or international human rights because I would be able to make an impact and I would be passionate about it. When I was looking through different summer opportunities, I realized that I wanted to be California specific because I am so grateful, as an immigrant, to be in a state that has been so welcoming. I first heard about OneJustice when Mai, from the L.A. team, came to talk about the Justice Bus at USC. I had been to some of the counties that she talked about, and I realized their limitations of access. I went to the career center to discuss human rights summer opportunities, and they gave me this list from public interest career day with many different organizations. I recognized OneJustice’s logo. I decided to apply because OneJustice seems really in tune with the legal atmosphere and the the needs of the Californian population. I looked online and saw their vast amount of programs throughout California. What really sold the deal for me, though, was their question on the application for clerkships. It was all about cultural sensitivity and equity, which I have come to value a lot in my own life.
At OneJustice, I am on the Pro Bono Justice Team on the consulting side. I am responsible for helping to gather data and outreach towards Pro Bono Managers and Coordinators from different Legal Service Organizations. I have also been working with the Immigration Pro Bono Network on their newsletters, events, website. Mainly assisting with their organizational needs. With that, I’ve also been conducting a lot of case study interviews.
What were you up to before coming to San Francisco for your clerkship?
I do a lot with the International Law and Relations clubs at USC. This last year, I worked as an interpreter for the International Human Rights Clinic. I worked on a human trafficking case with them, which reminded me of all the good I could do as a lawyer. I thought that that was an awesome experience. I also did Street Law, which was a program where we taught high school students about law. I was a high school teacher for a year in the Philippines before law school, so it was cool to revisit that.
Lastly, what’s something quirky about you?
I have very strange hobbies. I like to kayak in a lake near a decommissioned power plant because I love kayaking. But it also makes me feel like I am in a Marvel movie. I also have recently gotten into wood burning, which is like pyrography.
We’re so grateful to have such amazing & talented students joining us to bring legal help to those in need!