Thank You to the CBJC Summer 2017 Interns

This week, the City Bar Justice Center will say goodbye to its robust summer internship class. Tremendous thanks are in order for the ambitious and motivated students who provided CBJC with many helping hands through researching legal topics, drafting flyers, helping at legal clinics, assembling pro bono manuals, taking photos, assisting with client intakes, contacting past clients to learn the long-term outcomes of legal aid, helping coordinate financial empowerment workshops, and a myriad of other tasks. Throughout the summer, the interns attended presentations by CBJC’s project directors and staff attorneys and visited the EDNY courthouse to get hands-on experience of the civil legal aid profession.

CBJC Summer 2017 Intern Class

• Marah Fields, Tulane University – Consumer Bankruptcy and Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Projects
• Cindy Flores, Queens College – Pro Bono Initiatives
• Anna Karmel, Carleton College – Communications and Immigrant Justice Project
• Natalie Meyer, Colgate University – Cancer Advocacy and Elderlaw Projects
• Inga Norell, Barnard College – Planning and Estates Law Project
• Ismaail Qaiyim, CUNY School of Law – Consumer Bankruptcy Project
• Evan Rosado, Lawrence University – LGBT Advocacy Project
• Gertie Zwick-Schachter, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School – Pro Bono Initiatives and Anti-Harassment Project

What it is like to intern at CBJC?

 “Interning with CBJC’s Planning and Estates Law Project (PELP) has been an amazing opportunity to get on the ground experience in legal issues related to gentrification and the affordable public housing crisis in NYC. A large part of my internship is following up with past clients to discuss the outcomes of their cases after PELP has advised them. It is so rewarding to hear that the work we’re doing has significantly impacted and benefitted their lives. Realizing how much of a disadvantage low income New Yorkers are at when confronted with legal problems makes us work harder in the process to get them the justice they deserve.”
– Inga Norell, Planning and Estates Law Project

“Interning at the City Bar Justice Center has informed me of the different issues and challenges that everyday New Yorkers face and has allowed me to gain some knowledge on the public interest side of law. I’ve witnessed how the project directors, attorneys and staff all work together in a joint effort to deliver the best services to their clients. This internship has encouraged me to continue giving back to the community.”
– Cindy Flores, Pro Bono Initiatives

 

“I’ve seen firsthand that legal representation is everything. Lawyers do much more than just go to court and give legal advice. Lawyers help clients with financial planning and literacy and are often just a pillar of stability in a seemingly chaotic process. Helping people navigate legal issues with an eye for the way in which our work impacts the bigger issues is the essence of consumer protection. I’ve seen a credit report up close. I’ve prepared a bankruptcy petition. I’ve helped clients with financial planning (while supervised by attorneys). These skills and the ability to navigate structural inequality with them is something for which I am deeply thankful.”
– Ismaail Qaiyim, Consumer Bankruptcy Project

CBJC wishes the best of luck to these outstanding interns in the upcoming school year and in their professional endeavors.