I left the courthouse after hearing the “not guilty” verdict with a huge sigh of relief. Justice had been served—the grassroots activist who had been working so actively for change in his Chicago neighborhood was free to continue his work. That moment of pride and happiness made all my work worth it.
My Background Interests
I have always had a strong interest in both criminal law and human rights. During my legal career, I tried my best to enhance my skills and knowledge in both fields. I spent several months abroad doing legal research on international criminal law and human rights issues. In Turkey, I conducted legal research in Istanbul and Ankara, on the topic of child brides. In Chile, I focused my legal research on transitional justice, and efforts taken to remedy human rights abuses post-Pinochet’s regime. In England, I visited the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales several times in order to effectively compare the English criminal justice system to the American one. In Holland, I conducted research on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, an international criminal tribunal in The Hague.
The Law and My Interests
So, when it was time for me to enter the work force, it was natural that I would look for something that integrated both my interests. However, I soon learned how hard it is to find a career that merges all one’s interests so seamlessly. Rather than hoping that a position that in criminal law and civil/human rights would fall into my lap, I began to actively look for it. I began joining organizations and bar associations that I felt a connection with. I contacted Cabrini Green Legal Aid because I wanted to work with individuals who were hoping to clear their criminal records through expungement and sealing processes. I connected with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services because I wanted to work with low-income individuals who otherwise would not have access to adequate legal support. Sometimes the work involved with these organizations involved law that I was unfamiliar with—this pushed me out of the comfort zone, and in turn made me a more confident attorney. The National Lawyers Guild was an organization that I fell in love with the moment I heard about it. A bar association that actively works towards social justice and ending discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, class, or sexual orientation, I felt I was helping make an impact for a cause I truly believed in. I quickly became affiliated with their Mass Defense Committee that specifically provides free criminal defense for political and social activists charged with crimes as a result of their activism.
Merging My Interests with Private Practice
Working at Amal Law Group in addition to these organizations is challenging at times, but equally rewarding. Through these agencies, I’ve been able to sharpen my legal skills and become a more confident, capable attorney. Had I not used such a hands-on approach in order to learn and apply the law, I doubt I’d be exposed to as much as I have in such a short period of time. For a while, I struggled with finding a place where I could practice within my area of interests and feel satisfied with the work I was doing. By throwing myself into new experiences, I’ve been blessed with rare opportunities to work with invaluable mentors and incredible organizations.
The “not guilty” verdict I heard that day strengthened my faith in the work that I do. It not only reminded me that I truly enjoy it, but also reassured me that what I was doing made a difference.
