National Jurist - February 2009 - (Page 14)

spring 2008. The result was dozens of memos thoroughly examining the women’s claims from a variety of angles — a massive body of research and analysis the four clinic students would have been unable to develop on their own. Tolgu, who was one of the students supporting the women, continues to work with the clients, assisting them in acquiring identification documents and applying for benefits to which they are entitled as asylum recipients. PHOTO BY KENNETH SHOOK According to Tolgu, she had registered to take the immigration law clinic and at the onset, the only thing she knew was that the cases the clinic was going to handle would involve gender-based violence, an issue she is interested in. “I came to law school to become a public interest lawyer,” she said. “I have always been very interested in the issues faced by women, children and immigrants.” After being exposed to the issues presented in these women’s cases and by immigration law in general, Tolgu decided that immigration law is the field that she wants to practice in because it both involves public interest and addresses the concerns of underserved communities. “It has helped me craft my course schedule to hopefully serve my future career, as I have a better idea what areas of expertise I will require,” she said. Buffington said he was motivated to sign up for the clinic because he enjoyed his experience working at an immigration law firm prior to law school. “Seeing our efforts help to improve the lives of our clients motivates me to continue working hard in order to be able to help others in the future,” he said. “I learned a lot about the requirements necessary for obtaining asylum and trafficking visas. I also learned important client counseling skills.” “The four clinic students involved in these cases, along with the nearly 70 legal writing students, helped to forge a sense of community for my clients at the law school, giving them the strength, courage and hope necessary to engage in the process of obtaining immigration relief,” Batra said. “A community of students who were moved by their involvement in these cases thrives today.” Oates said that the students were very invested in the project and devoted a substantial amount of time researching both the legal and social issues. In addition, they continued to care about the case, asking for updates on the asylum hearing. “I know the kind of lawyer I want to be and any hands-on experience actually working with clients will be of most help to me,” Tolgu said. Seeing what they accomplished for their clients was truly empowering, said students Karin Tolgu, Grant ManClark and Andrew Buffington. 14 THE NATIONAL JURIST February 2009

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of National Jurist - February 2009

National Jurist - February 2009 Contents Entertainment: Get Organized! The Firm Report: The Part-Time Lawyer News: Keeping Ethics Intact, New Law Deans, Latest Survey Findings Seattle Law Students Secure Asylum for East African Women Laptops in the Classroom Attorneys Dissect Health Law Law Students Contribute to 2008 Election Process Remembering Professors Obama and Biden Bar Exam Diaries How Well Balanced are Law Students? How to Choose a Summer Program Career Hotline Linguistic Gymnastics Disturbing the Peace

National Jurist - February 2009

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