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Reflecting on Progress: Select Stories from UB Law’s Summer Fellowships
Published September 21, 2021
Learning through personal experience and hands-on application is an invaluable part of growth for any vocation and the same rings true for the world of law. Thanks to the support of generous donors, the School of Law was able to place more than 60 law students in 2021 summer fellowship programs to help further their education and experience.
For the third straight year, UB law students were able to glean new insights through public service experiences, by working at government agencies, nonprofit organizations and as judicial law clerks. Applying these rewarding opportunities towards their education undoubtedly helped them grow as both students and prospective lawyers, as you will learn from the stories below.
The Summer Fellowship Experience
The Summer Public Interest Fellowship Program provides students access to more than 30 diverse fellowships, ranging from areas like human rights and family violence to immigration law and public defense. The students selected for these programs have a strong academic background, a dedication to serve the public interest and a commitment to providing access to justice.
Many of the students from the 2021 summer fellowships wrote about their experiences on the #UBLawResponds blog and we encourage you to visit their site to read their full stories in their own words. In the meantime, here is snippet of some of the rewarding experiences that UB law students had over the summer break.
Heather Kuhn '22
Open Buffalo is a local organization that advances racial, economic and ecological justice, with the goal of freeing Western New York communities from discrimination and poverty. For Heather Kuhn ‘22 this was a perfect match, allowing her to work as an intern through the Buffalo Human Rights Fellowship Award.
Heather got to take part in a wide range of activities that put her in touch with local projects and also allowed her to flex her legal knowledge. Some of her work involved writing and reviewing policy documents for youth programs, helping develop a racial equity evaluation and training system, working directly with youth and also drafting outreach materials for Open Buffalo donors. Heather’s greatest takeaway? “I have gained great knowledge, experience, and connections to continue my role in striving towards creating systemic changes to benefit our community.”
Peter Evancho '23
Thanks to the Blanche Gische & Helen Schurkman Fellowship Award for Elder Justice, Peter Evancho ’23 was able to work over the summer as a legal intern at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Elder Justice. The comprehensive elder abuse center is the first of its kind and helps protect and enforce the rights of the vulnerable elderly population. Elder abuse can occur to as many as 10% of adults over the age of 60, though only 4% report their abuse.
During his time at the Weinberg Center, Peter got to discover the intricacies surrounding guardianship proceedings and how they are “a powerful, yet imperfect remedy” for neglectful and abusive situations. Peter also got to learn first-hand that attorneys are an invaluable part of advocating for and bringing justice to such situations, “working sustainably and proactively to improve people’s mental and physical well-being through upstream, non-medical interventions,” as he put it.
Kari Ashworth '23
As one of the four recipients of the Catalyst Public Service Fellowship award, Kari Ashworth ’23 was able to embark on a “summer to remember,” as she calls it. Being placed at the Family Court Help Desk (FCHD) was the “perfect stepping stone into the legal community” as she took on the role of first point of contact for potential clients. In addition to determining client eligibility for service from the FCHD, Kari took part in attorney consultations and discussed cases to help inform her duties during client intakes, and also practiced filling out custody petitions and conducted duties for real cases, improving her research and writing skills.
“I learned so much this summer about both a career in law and myself,” said Kari. “I will forever be appreciative of my first legal internship.”
These are just a few of the invaluable experiences gained by UB law students throughout their fellowships. You can read their personal stories and many others by visiting the #UBLawResponds blog. To discover more about the experiences and available fellowships, visit the Summer Public Interest Funding & Fellowship Program page.
