US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section – Washington, D.C.
I spent my summer working with the Department of Justice, in the Civil Rights Division, for the Disability Rights Section in Washington, DC. The mission of this section is to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act and related provisions of law protecting individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the section works to spread the word about protections for people with disabilities under law. Our only client is the United States, and we take on cases that are impactful for the individuals as well as for people with disabilities in general.
During my time with the DOJ, I was able to draft settlement agreements, observe settlement negotiations, research and draft memorandums of law, and provide support for cases that are in litigation and active investigation. This experience gave me the opportunity to apply my knowledge after my first year of law school and expand my understanding of the life of a civil rights lawyer. Additionally, it confirmed my passion for civil rights law. I was able to work on matters in which individuals alleged discrimination on the basis of disability. These matters ranged from employment contexts, to schools and prisons. The stories behind the matters are what gave me the motivation to put in hard work and expand my knowledge. I was also inspired by the attorneys and staff I worked with who were brought to the section by their passion for advocacy and the rights of people with disabilities.
My summer in DC gave me both the experiences and connections that I need to pursue a career in civil rights law after graduating from Duke Law. I met with many attorneys throughout my internship who do the work I aspire to do and learned about their paths to civil rights work. Being in Washington, DC enabled me to connect with individuals across the Department of Justice, Department of Labor, EEOC, and other offices. I also attended lunches and presentations provided by the DOJ that informed me about the work of various components of the DOJ. This gave me the confidence to focus my career on public interest work right after graduation, and left me with a greater understanding of what civil rights work looks like in both government and non-profit contexts.
Finally, I developed close relationships with the fellow interns and the attorneys in my office. These individuals made my summer enjoyable, and will be great connections going forward in pursuit of my career. Being in Washington, DC and working for DOJ was an outstanding opportunity to envision my future career, and develop the skills I will need to be a successful attorney.
Submitted August 10, 2018
