Interning at celj - Maura Graham
My experience working and interning at the Center for Elder Law and Justice has shaped my education and career path. I started interning at CELJ in the Fall of 2022 and continued interning here through the Summer of 2023. As a law and social work student at the University at Buffalo, I was extremely lucky to fulfill my social work field placement in a non-profit legal setting, and to learn from my supervisor and other attorneys with their social work degrees. The lessons, experiences, and connections I have gained here have helped develop my educational and professional skills.
Most of my time at CELJ has been spent working with our Family Law attorneys in the Kinship Unit. I have had the chance to attend court appearances and trials, draft motions and petitions, work directly with clients, and shadow CELJ attorneys and social workers. All the attorneys and staff at CELJ have been incredibly welcoming and generous in allowing me to learn from them. These experiences have helped to prepare me for future practice and have helped me gain practical skills. I have also gained a deeper knowledge and understanding of family law and kinship care. Working closely with the Family Law attorneys has helped shape my career path, and I can now see myself working in family court.
Although most of my time at CELJ has been focused on family law, I have also had the chance this summer to learn about the other services and practice areas that CELJ provides. I have had the opportunity to sit in on different unit meetings and participate in unique activities. CELJ staff members have been extremely accessible and willing to answer questions about their practice. The staff here are honest about their experiences, sharing their success and challenges, and have offered helpful advice on law school, jobs, and beginning practice. I am so grateful for the staff’s willingness to answer questions and their approachability.
One of the best aspects of working at CELJ is the teamwork among staff and the positive work environment. I have witnessed the teamwork and collaboration in the Kinship Unit, in particular. The attorneys, paralegals, and social workers use their skills to support one another and offer advice on difficult cases and challenges. I have seen the attorneys work together to navigate complex issues while working on trials and cases. I have benefited from the supportive and collaborative environment and have always felt comfortable asking for help or guidance on my work. Every attorney is willing to help, and I am extremely grateful for the mentorship I have gained throughout the internship.
Interning at CELJ has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my law school career. It is clear that the staff are passionate about their work and mission. The staff’s willingness to work with students makes the internship experience worthwhile. The learning experiences I have gained here have been incomparable to classroom work, and I feel more ready to enter the legal field after my internship experiences.