Voices from the Field
2024 Student Summer Intern Blogs
Kristen Adolf
International Bridges to Justice
Kristen Adolf [1L] will intern at IBJ’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, where she will conduct research and provide back-up services to IBJ’s global programming efforts against cruel and unusual punishment and in support of fair trial rights in developing and post-conflict countries.
Brooks Alderman
National Center for State Courts, International Programs Division
Brooks Alderman [1L] will contribute to NCSC’s global programs, which partner with governments, donors and non-governmental organizations around the world to strengthen the Rule of Law and democratic institutions in post-conflict societies and developing democracies.
Venus Amadi
Legal Resources Centre
Venus Amadi [1L] will contribute to LRC’s mission of providing free legal assistance to South Africans dealing with the after-effects of apartheid. The Centre focuses on eliminating persistent inequalities that underlie structural and intergenerational economic and social discrimination. It was founded on the idea that lawyers have a particular responsibility in the face of gross injustices.
Kathy Bacuta
Rule of Law Collaborative
Kathy Bacuta [2L] will contribute to the Collaborative’s goals of developing the Rule of Law as a discipline, advancing theoretical and research-based applications in the field, and refining policies relating to Rule of Law development. ROLC partners on a global scale with local and international NGOs, government and multilateral donors to carry out its work.
Emma Battin
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance Constitution Building Processes Programme
Emma Battin [2L] will conduct research in support of national constitution building and amendment processes. International IDEA’s CBP program provides assistance to countries undergoing constitutional transitions as they seek to strengthen political institutions, improve electoral processes and promote democracy.
Emily Bekele
United States Institute of Peace
Emily Bekele [1L] will serve on a team working to prevent atrocities in the context of conflict and supporting accountability for war crimes. As a federal institution, USIP assists governments and civil society organizations operating in conflict zones by contributing policy recommendations, educational resources and training programs.
Hank Blackburn
International Foundation for Electoral Systems
Hank Blackburn [1L] will intern with IFES’ Center for Anti-Corruption and Democratic Trust, which works with partners worldwide to combat corruption, support democratic renewal, and build trust in democratic processes, systems, and institutions by strengthening the efforts of public officials, independent institutions, and civil society to promote good governance.
Tyler Brooks
Migration and Asylum Project
Tyler Brooks [2L] will intern with India’s first law center dedicated to assisting those suffering as a result of forced migration and displacement. Founded in 2013, MAP seeks to end the marginalization of one of the most vulnerable communities in the world – migrants and refugees – by making the Rule of Law central to addressing human rights challenges and ensuring grassroots justice.
Connor Cheadle
Constitutional Court of Kosovo
Connor Cheadle [2L] will intern in the Chambers of the President of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo. The Court reviews and rules on the interpretation of issues relating to Kosovo’s Constitution. Connor will perform comparative constitutional analysis in furtherance of the Court’s compliance with domestic and international legal norms.
Sarah Conley
National Center for State Courts, International Programs Division
Sarah Conley [2L] will contribute to NCSC’s global programs, which partner with governments, donors and non-governmental organizations around the world to strengthen the Rule of Law and democratic institutions in post-conflict societies and developing democracies.
Kate Coulter
Tibetan Legal Association
Kate Coulter [1L] will contribute to TLA’s mission to increase legal awareness and education among Tibetans in exile. The Association was founded upon the recommendation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the purpose of providing pro bono assistance to Tibetans in need of legal aid.
Sarah Cover
Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network
Sarah Cover [1L] will provide pro bono legal assistance to the immigrant community in the Eleventh Circuit. GAIN’s clients seek to escape persecution, human trafficking, domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Sarah Cox
Beijing Children's Legal Aid and Research Center Zicheng Public Interest Lawyers
Sarah Cox [1L] will contribute to BCLARC’s work providing free legal aid to minors and migrants in China. The Center conducts empirical research to facilitate justice for children and migrants, in addition to working more generally in the area of public interest law.
Sam Finkel
American Chemistry Council Global Affairs Division
Sam Finkel [1L] will research global environmental, economic and trade issues in support of ACC’s work with over 190 companies engaged in the world of chemistry and innovation. ACC’s target areas include health, sustainability and productivity.
Lily Frautschi
Beijing Children's Legal Aid and Research Center Zicheng Public Interest Lawyers
Lily Frautschi [1L] will contribute to BCLARC’s work providing free legal aid to minors and migrants in China. The Center conducts empirical research to facilitate justice for children and migrants, in addition to working more generally in the area of public interest law.
Natalie Kruczkowski
United States Institute of Peace
Natalie Kruczkowski [1L] will serve on a team working to prevent atrocities in the context of conflict and supporting accountability for war crimes. As a federal institution, USIP assists governments and civil society organizations operating in conflict zones by contributing policy recommendations, educational resources and training programs.
Laura Langford
International Bridges to Justice
Laura Langford [1L] will intern at IBJ’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, where she will conduct research and provide back-up services to IBJ’s global programming efforts against cruel and unusual punishment and in support of fair trial rights in developing and post-conflict countries.
Stephanie Minor
Kosovo Academy of Justice
Stephanie Minor [1L] will assist the Academy in carrying out its mission providing quality judicial education and training for judges, prosecutors and judicial administrative staff as well as other professionals in the judiciary. The KAJ also performs analysis and publishes resources in accordance with the legal framework of Kosovo and internationally recognized best standards.
Olivia Selgrad
Central and Eastern European Law Institute
Olivia Selgrad [1L] will support CEELI’s work fighting corruption and supporting judicial independence and human rights in over 45 countries around the globe.
Katie Smart
Center for Legal Aid and Regional Development
Katie Smart [1L] will contribute to CLARD’s work facilitating legal assistance for marginalized groups while advocating for and promoting just legal systems that improve their economic and social lives.
Julie Stanwyck
Comisión Provincial por la Memoria
Julie Stanwyck [1L] will work with the Provincial Memory Commission, an independent public organization that promotes and implements public policies of preserving historical memory and ensuring human rights. The Commission’s objectives and work express the commitment to preserving the memory of State terrorism and promoting the defense and advancement of human rights in democracy. The President of CPM, Adolfo Perez Esquivel, is the recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize.
Owen Tremblay
Open Development Cambodia
Owen Tremblay [1L] will contribute to ODC’s mission to aggregate information and make it available to the public. His work will focus in part on cybersecurity issues that impact the reliability and availability of legislation, policies, regulations and frameworks relating to economic governance of small- to medium-size enterprises.
Mecca Vance
Andalas University Center for Constitutional Studies and The Constitutional Court of Indonesia
Mecca Vance [1L] will spend the first half of her summer at the Center for Constitutional Studies at the University of Andalas, where she will conduct comparative research on issues relating to Indonesia’s constitution. She will then work in the Chambers of Deputy Chief Justice Saldi Isra, assisting in the court’s oversight role with respect to the executive branch of government.
Tessa Wild
Tibetan Legal Association
Tessa Wild [1L] will contribute to TLA’s mission to increase legal awareness and education among Tibetans in exile. The Association was founded upon the recommendation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the purpose of providing pro bono assistance to Tibetans in need of legal aid.