As summer kicks off, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) spotlights our three Summer 2024 interns.
First up, Yuki Kyu. Yuki brings a unique blend of passion, experience, and creativity to VLJ’s Children’s Representation Program, ReLeSe (Reentry Legal Services) Program, and South Ward Promise Neighborhood Program.
A rising 2L pursuing her law degree at New York Law School (class of 2026), Yuki laid the foundation for her legal career during undergrad at Drexel University in Philadelphia. While at Drexel, Yuki co-founded a small non-profit organization serving the immigrant population in Philadelphia, including hosting after-school ESL courses and informational sessions on immigrant rights. Now in law school, Yuki occasionally volunteers with NYLS’s asylum clinic, demonstrating her ongoing dedication to ensuring access to justice for communities historically underrepresented and under-resourced.
Connected with Yuki’s summer internship at VLJ, she is also an Equal Justice America fellow. EJA fellowships give law students an opportunity to help those who have no legal representation while developing practical legal skills. Under the guidance of experienced attorneys, EJA fellows learn about real-life applications of the law. Along the way, they develop lifelong friendships and establish important career connections. Indeed, for many, an EJA fellowship is the first step toward a lifetime of dedicated public service. Yuki’s fellowship will be served well at VLJ as she deepens her understanding of pressing social issues, actively engages on the front lines of providing access to justice, explores diverse practice areas through VLJ's varied programs, and most importantly, makes a positive impact—whether small or big—for clients and co-workers alike.
To those considering pro bono, Yuki offers encouraging advice: "Test the waters and start with tiny steps if you'd like; the seemingly small impacts you make can mean the world to others and have far-reaching effects." This perspective aligns seamlessly with VLJ's mission of ensuring access to justice for people experiencing poverty. As Yuki put it, “VLJ’s mission means standing as an advocate and providing support during one of, if not the most vulnerable periods in someone's life, and serving as the voice for those who cannot speak up for themselves when silence is not an option.”
Outside the law and her studies, Yuki brings an artistic dimension to her life through ballet.
We're excited to have Yuki with us this summer and look forward to raising up the next generation of social justice superheroes. Welcome, Yuki!
Connect with Yuki on LinkedIn