by Kevin Zhang
The Nebraska Public Interest Law Fund (NPILF) Summer Fellowships provide a limited number of stipends to University of Nebraska College of Law students who secure public interest positions with a host organization that serves an unmet legal need.
2L Kevin Zhang, a 2019 NPILF recipient, was able to split his summer between the Center for Legal Immigration Assistance (CLIA) and the Office of Federal Public Defender for the District of Nebraska.
Kevin is currently clerking for the ACLU of Nebraska and will be spending the upcoming summer working with the United Nations’ Office of Legal Affairs in New York.
What were your main responsibilities this summer? How did you spend your time?
I performed legal research and drafted memos and briefs on criminal law and immigration law. I assisted the Federal Public Defender’s Office with investigations and hearings, and was able to participate in meetings with both office staff and clients. At CLIA, I also participated in client meetings, in addition to preparing immigration applications and assisting with immigration hearings and appeals.
What drew you to this type of work and how did you find this particular opportunity?
I knew the Office of Federal Public Defender from last year’s public interest career fair. I met Rich McWilliams, the assistant public defender, and got his business card. In early March 2019, I emailed Rich and the office expressing my interest in working with them for the summer. They asked for my resume and called me back 10 days later to invite me to clerk for them.
Professor Kevin Ruser [who oversees Nebraska Law’s Immigration Clinic] suggested that I try to work with CLIA since I would like to concentrate on immigration law. I emailed them my resume, and they scheduled an interview.
What did you most enjoy about the experience?
I got to see that I made real changes for cases and people. I watched an attorney utilize numerous fruits of my research at a suppression hearing. I also did lots of research and wrote almost 10 memos for another case and was able to see our work play out at trial.
What was the biggest challenge you faced this summer?
I had to conduct research and write memos on unfamiliar, specific areas of law like sentencing guidelines. Unlike what we did in our legal research and writing class, where we had a lot of time to do research and write a memo, here, I only had a few days to do research and write a memo or brief. I had to find the right direction and locate relevant cases from massive results within a very limited time. Additionally, I felt tremendous responsibility because the quality of work does matter to real people and their lives.
How has your summer experience impacted you or your view of the legal system?
It reaffirms my view of law that provides justice to all people. Further, it reinforces my career goal to dedicate myself to promoting the welfare of the public.
Kevin with some of the staff from CLIA
Would you recommend this placement to others? Why or why not?
Definitely. CLIA is an excellent place for students who want to practice immigration law. I got a lot of hands-on experience from meetings and helping clients with diverse backgrounds. The internship with the Federal Public Defender exposed me to a very professional environment in the federal system.
What would you say to someone who was considering donating to NPILF?
First, I really appreciate the donors who made donations to NPILF because it gave me the unparalleled opportunity to serve the community and reinforced my passion in public service without worrying about my finances this summer. Second, the program does make differences and has very profound influence for participating law students and the community. Personally, I can already see the difference. I was very proud when one of the assistant public defenders filed my first brief in support of a motion to suppress, because it was a huge recognition of my hard work and a small but significant contribution to the justice system.
What do you hope to do with your law degree?
I am concentrating on immigration law and international law. I hope to work with the U.S. Department of State or IGOs to promote international law and relationships with China.
You can learn more about the Nebraska Public Interest Law Fund (NPILF) and make a donation here.