| I owe a great deal of gratitude to the Paul McLaughlin Fellowship Committee, without whom I might never have gained the invaluable experience I received working as a student prosecutor with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Even before I knew that I wanted to be a lawyer, the criminal justice system always fascinated me. I first heard about the McLaughlin fellowship when I was a 1L. After spending the summer interning for a justice of the Boston Municipal Court, my interest in criminal law intensified. While I was searching for a job during my second year, the McLaughlin Fellowship caught my eye as an opportunity to finally become personally involved in the area of law that had always intrigued me most.
After I was selected as the 2009 McLaughlin Fellow, I was lucky enough to find a placement with the DA’s Office at the Boston Municipal Court. I got to work with a fantastic group of people who were willing to answer all my questions and encouraged me to get the most out of my internship. The experience has reaffirmed my interest in a career working in criminal law. I have also begun to develop many of the skills that I will use throughout my legal career.
Over the course of my summer as the McLaughlin Fellow, I made bail arguments, argued motions, and handled all aspects of about 50 cases from discovery to disposition. Being in court on a daily basis allowed me to develop the confidence that every advocate needs to be effective. I have also learned a lot about the importance of preparation and time management. It takes an extremely organized person to simultaneously provide discovery, research statutes and case law, formulate legal arguments, write briefs, and prepare for motions and trial on one case, never mind fifty.
Because of my experience as the McLaughlin Fellow, I feel that I am more than ready to face the difficult challenge of being a lawyer in the criminal justice system head on. I now know for certain that working in the public sector of criminal law is what I want to do with my life. I never would have been able to gain so much experience and knowledge without the McLaughlin Fellowship and for that I am truly grateful.
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RAPPAPORT CENTER FOR LAW AND PUBLIC SERVICE
