National Jurist - October 2008 - (Page 48) A human rights activist Recent grad finds her passion working in international human rights law and helping Sudanese students succeed hristy Edwards is making waves internationally and at home in San Diego. In addition to her work with asylum seekers, Edwards tutors Sudanese refugees once a week. She said she enjoys making a difference in the refugees’ lives. “If there’s any possible way, do what you love,” said by Ursula Furi-Perry, Esq. Edwards, a 2007 Thomas Jefferson School of Law graduate. Coming from a family where several generations worked for nonprofits, Edwards was interested in using her legal education to work on issues that mattered to her. Soon after graduating from law school, Edwards represented a young asylum petitioner from Darfur. The man had taken pictures of some of the atrocities that took place in his country but was able to escape, even after the Sudanese government fig“The attorney really does go above and ured out that he beyond just the legal work.” was documenting the events that — Christy Edwards, a 2007 Thomas Jefferson School unfolded. of Law graduate “The most difficult part of working on a case is putting together [the client’s] story,” Edwards said. Post-traumatic stress is a factor for any asylum seeker, she explains, and it can take a lot of coaxing, listening and building Intense and emotional work trust to get the client’s story. Edwards became involved in public “These are very private and personal international law early in her law school things that happened to them,” she said. career. She worked for several human “It’s a very delicate balance of being sym- rights organizations in San Diego, where pathetic but also being realistic.” she focused on working with refugee popAlthough international law encom- ulations in the city, including Sudanese passes many sub-specialties — including refugees. transactional law, international trade and Edwards said her work can be intense international environmental law — human and emotional. In addition to dealing rights issues are often the most notable. with a new culture and perhaps a differ48 THE NATIONAL JURIST October 2008 PHOTOS BY MELISSA STOTTLEMYER ent language with every client, attorneys help clients with more than just detached legal advice. “The attorney really does go above and beyond just the legal work,” she said, sometimes assisting the client with basic necessities as well. “Some of them have no one, and there’s no one else for them to turn to.” For Edwards, it was always important to focus on grass-roots activism.
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.