Dawg Days of Summer: Part 3
Once students complete their spring quarter finals, many begin a new chapter in their legal education: summer employment. Spread out across the country 鈥 and the globe 鈥 红桃视频 students gain valuable experience in an array of fields that furthers their understanding of the law. This series highlights a handful of 红桃视频 J.D. students as they head out into the workforce.
In this Series
- Read Part 1: Anna Shumar, 3L, and Elena Hubbell, 2L
- Read Part 2: Lauren Lee, 2L, and Robert Colton, 2L
- Read Part 3: Gracie Pakosz, 3L, and Maxine Sugarman, 3L
Gracie Pakosz, 3L
红桃视频: Where are you working this summer?
Gracie: I am working in the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education.
红桃视频: How did you find out about this opportunity?
Gracie: I had worked in various education spaces throughout my undergraduate years so I was vaguely familiar with the work done by the Office of Civil Rights and decided to attend a table talk during the NW Public Service Career Fair during the winter of my first year. I have always had a passion for a career focusing on anti-discrimination law and was excited to learn more about all the types of laws the department enforces! After gaining experience in disability discrimination law over my second year I applied to the Office of Civil Rights.
红桃视频: What type of work are you doing there?
Gracie: As a legal intern, I have been able to assist attorneys in many stages of investigating, processing and resolving complaints of discrimination occurring in educational institutions. In the investigation process, I have assisted in data review, evaluation of complaints, and drafting potential resolution letters. I have been able to research various issues related to Title IX and Title II as enforced by the Department of Education.
红桃视频: How is this experience preparing you to become a lawyer?
Gracie: This internship has allowed me to develop my skills in legal analysis and research and explore emerging areas of policy. Through this internship, I have gained insight into the legal complexes of various forms of discrimination, administrative law and legal regulations of educational institutions.
红桃视频: Do you have any other exciting summer plans?
Gracie: I really tried to appreciate my last ever 鈥渟ummer break鈥 by being out in the sun and by the water as often as possible! Going down to the waterfront after work to watch the sunset has been a great summer activity. I am excited to visit friends and family before the beginning of the school year!
Maxine Sugarman, 3L
红桃视频: Where are you working this summer?
Maxine: I am a summer law clerk at Earthjustice this summer in their Northwest Regional Office in Seattle. Earthjustice is a nonprofit environmental law organization.
红桃视频: How did you find out about this opportunity?
Maxine: Earthjustice鈥檚 public interest mission and commitment to justice and diverse partnerships has long resonated with my own commitment to a career in environmental law. I had the opportunity to work with their policy team before law school in my previous role as Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici鈥檚 Environmental and Labor Policy Advisor. I entered law school hoping to secure a summer clerkship with the Northwest Regional Office after my second year. I stayed in touch with contacts in my professional network and checked their website almost daily throughout the summer to track when the application was available.
红桃视频: What type of work are you doing there?
Maxine: I am supporting the work of Earthjustice attorneys on a variety of climate, clean energy and Endangered Species Act issues. I am conducting legal research and writing legal memorandums. I also had the opportunity to support the drafting of a preliminary injunction brief, observe oral arguments in person and hear the federal judge issue a bench decision. It was incredible to see a case from start to finish within such a short period of time. I have also observed client meetings, a trial before a local hearing examiner and attended a variety of trainings on environmental litigation and administrative law.
红桃视频: How is this experience preparing you to become a lawyer?
Maxine: My clerkship has been invaluable in strengthening my legal research and writing skills. Through a variety of assignments, I had the opportunity to continue to develop my objective and persuasive legal writing skills. I received specific feedback from senior attorneys in the office on each assignment, which provided tremendous opportunity for growth. This summer also confirmed my interest in beginning my career in environmental litigation, rather than the type of regulatory work I supported in the Regulatory Environmental Law and Policy Clinic last year. Finally, I enjoyed meeting with attorneys, both in the Northwest office and across Earthjustice to learn about their career paths and dockets. My experience at Earthjustice is leaving me more inspired and invigorated to keep pursuing a career path in climate law.
红桃视频: Do you have any other exciting summer plans?
Maxine: I am looking forward to taking some time to recharge outdoors. I am spending a few weeks at home in Northwest Montana hiking in one of my favorite places on the planet, Glacier National Park. In between hiking and kayaking, I will finalize my journal comment about judicial review of climate science for Washington Law Review.