by Brenna Milius
The Nebraska Public Interest Law Summer Fellowship program (NPILF) provides a number of stipends to University of Nebraska College of Law students who secure unpaid public interest positions for the summer.
3L Brenna Milius, a 2024 NPILF recipient, worked with Legal Aid of Nebraska's Health, Education, & Law Project (HELP). Brenna shared more about her experience below.
Can you describe the work or mission of your host organization?
Legal Aid of Nebraska is a legal services corporation whose goal is to make equal justice happen. Legal Aid of Nebraska is a place where people can turn when they have no one else. I worked with HELP (Health, Education, and Law Project), which is a Medical Legal Partnership where HELP attorneys take on cases that are referred from local hospitals and clinics. HELP attorneys also have clinic hours at each location to allow for walk-ins and to offer appointments for clients who cannot commute to Legal Aid offices.
What were your main responsibilities? How did you spend your time?
I spent my time with the HELP Project, which specializes in Social Security Benefits, Medicaid Claims, Guardianships, Education Law, Wills and POAs, Family Law, and a few other practice areas. This summer I spent most of my time drafting documents, appearing in court as a senior-certified law clerk, and meeting with clients in regard to guardianships. I also spent a majority of my time reviewing medical records for merit for disability cases. I was able to experience so many different areas of law and complete many different tasks.
What drew you to this type of work and how did you find/secure this particular opportunity?
I worked as a certified Pharmacy Technician and for a substance use disorder treatment nonprofit before my time in law school and have always been moved by the connection between health care and the law. I have always wanted to work for a nonprofit, so I reached out to the HELP project and asked how Legal Aid of Nebraska hires clerks and went from there! I worked in this same position last summer and was asked to come back this summer!
What did you most enjoy about the experience?
I received so many professional experiences that not many other organizations provide for law clerks. I was able to meet with clients and run meetings supervised by an attorney, appear in court, network with judges and past clerks, and spend time in several different areas of law.
What was the biggest challenge you faced as a summer fellow?
This summer I experienced clients going through the hardest and most vulnerable moments of their lives. Legal Aid of Nebraska pushes all employees to focus on their mental and emotional health in order to provide the best services for clients while recognizing the effects it has on all parties. Learning how to place my own emotions and clients' emotions was one of the most difficult things I faced this summer.
How has your summer experience impacted you or your view of public interest work/the legal system?
My summer experience helped me build on my love for public interest and nonprofit work. After another summer in the field, I know it is what I am passionate about and strive to work for in the future.
Do you have a favorite anecdote or project from your summer work?
Appearing in both Douglas and Lancaster court!
Would you recommend this placement to others?
Yes. HELP and LAN offer a great summer program for clerks where past clerks, attorneys, current judges, and more come to speak or go on tours of courthouses, which expands networking and knowledge.
What would you say to someone who was considering donating to the NPILF fund?
NPILF helped me live out my dreams of working for a nonprofit and serving underserved communities while also providing for myself and taking care of my personal needs.
What do you hope to do with your law degree?
I hope to work for a nonprofit and/or serve underserved populations in my community.
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