Liz Thompson is passionate about public defense. Thompson, a third-year law student from Salina, spent her summer in New Orleans as a law clerk at Orleans Public Defenders (OPD). OPD is an organization that provides legal assistance and representation for individuals that are unable to afford an attorney. According to the OPD website, the organization represents nearly 20,000 people each …
Taking the lead: Meet KU Law’s student publication editors
Third-year law students Denise Dantzler and Joy Merklen are embracing their roles as editor-in-chief for each of the law school’s two student-edited publications. Merklen leads the Kansas Law Review, and Dantzler heads up the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy. Dantzler and Merklen learned about their selections this spring, and have been at work setting goals, reviewing write-on submissions …
Student Spotlight: Aidan Graybill bolsters values of tribal community through internship
Second-year law student Aidan Graybill plans to utilize her legal education to practice tribal law. Graybill is a member of the Wyandot Nation of Kansas, which is based in Kansas City, Kansas. This summer, Graybill is an intern for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation’s tribal prosecutor in Mayetta, Kansas. The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is one of four federally recognized …
Gaining experience through the Criminal Prosecution Field Placement
During my first year of law school, I was convinced that I wanted to practice family law. One summer as an intern for a Kansas District Judge warned me off that career pathway real quick. Instead, I became fascinated with criminal prosecution. Following my judicial internship and subsequent interest in criminal prosecution, I structured my 2L schedule entirely around the …
Student Spotlight: Claudia Chavarria makes a positive impact through internship at advocacy center
Rising 2L Claudia Chavarria hopes to pursue a career in immigration law because she is passionate about helping immigrants and giving back to the community she grew up in. Chavarria is originally from El Paso, Texas – which is one of the main ports of entry for immigrants entering the U.S. Chavarria’s background played a pivotal role in her views …
Student Spotlight: Jackson Ely develops legal skills through judicial internship
Second-year law student Jackson Ely is spending his summer interning for Douglas County District Court Judge Sally Pokorny. Ely is earning academic credit for his internship through the school’s Judicial Field Placement Program. At his internship, Ely researches issues, writes legal memos and observes courtroom proceedings. He also gets a behind-the-scenes look at the decision making process used by a …