As summer kicks into high gear, VLJ shines a spotlight on our four Summer 2023 interns. First up, VLJ is thrilled to introduce Elena Schwartz who is interning with VLJ’s ReLeSe Program and Veterans Legal Program. Elena received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and she is a rising 2L at Brooklyn Law School.
With VLJ’s internships designed for hands-on experience and “real life” learning, Elena's time at VLJ sees her involved with legal clinics, conducting client intakes, and client support including performing criminal record history searches, nurturing client relationships, and drafting pleadings. Of course, no internship experience is complete without learning about the law; this comes in handy for her work with the ReLeSe Program and the impact new case law may have on legal standards for expungement relief.
Elena discovered VLJ during her internship search and was immediately drawn to the organization's wide range of programs and impactful mission. Elena’s passion for supporting access to justice and her desire for meaningful work during her internship make her a perfect fit for VLJ! Throughout her internship, Elena has been deeply moved by the unwavering dedication of VLJ staff and volunteers. Indeed, listening to volunteers share their experiences highlight the power of pro bono and the compassion VLJ’s volunteers have for helping community members with their unmet civil legal needs. Elena has also been amazed by VLJ's ability to provide legal assistance in various areas of law, showcasing the organization's remarkable versatility.
When asked about the importance of pro bono work, Elena shared that pro bono not only allows attorneys to give back while advocating for an accessible legal system, it also provides meaningful legal services to those in need. Elena firmly believes that pro bono is an essential social responsibility of the legal profession.
For Elena, VLJ's mission statement of "Ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty" holds tremendous significance: “Ensuring access to justice means that your socioeconomic status does not have to define your access to justice and the legal system. It means that a motivated team is available for legal support even if an attorney is not affordable. It looks like a level playing field.”
To Elena, thank you for harnessing the power of pro bono and joining us for your summer internship. Summer internships can be pivotal moments that decide a law school student’s future career, so we are honored and grateful to have her with us as we work to ensure access to justice for people experiencing poverty. Welcome Elena, and cheers to a wonderful summer of justice at VLJ!
Connect with Elena on LinkedIn
““Ensuring access to justice means that your socioeconomic status does not have to define your access to justice and the legal system. It means that a motivated team is available for legal support even if an attorney is not affordable. It looks like a level playing field.””