Students from The George Washington University Law School spent four days in late December at The Pro Bono Project working with Chief Legal Officer Linton Carney, staff attorneys Ona Sanders and Patricia Guzman-Weema, and staff paralegal Zakiya LaGrange.
From l to r (back): Donald Graham, Jasmine Smith, Ramona Lin, Jane Lee, Halcyon Apy with (front) The Project's Linton Carney, Ona Sanders and Zakiya LaGrange
The students spent their time doing research, drafting language for affidavits, meeting with clients, observing at clinics and a host of other legal work to help them begin to apply in real time what they are learning in their law classes.
Halcyon Apy, J.D. Candidate, 2018 offered the following about her experience:
The Pro Bono Project is an incredibly welcoming organization. It was a great way for me to see how a public interest organization works and to get some hands on experience. Not only is everyone here friendly, but they are also more than willing to take the time out and assist you in learning skills that will be necessary in your legal career—from drafting affidavits and meeting clients to watching how clinics run. Even though our group was only going to be there for a short time, the organization seemed genuinely invested in our understanding of the legal processes that we were working on, and our own specific interests and personal growth. This was an overall great volunteer experience!
All in all, the students learned a lot through hands-on experience in a very brief time at The Project. We wish them the best as they continue their course of study at GW Law.