by: Rhea Shivnani |
Before this experience, I had a limited understanding of legal aid. I thought that legal aid meant free legal services for those unable to afford counsel. However, I did not fully appreciate the immense scale and depth of Dade Legal Aid. They serve thousands of low-income residents annually, handling crucial cases ranging from housing disputes to domestic violence protection orders. For many clients, this organization is not just a resource, it is their only hope. Shadowing intake appointments early in my placement made the necessity of this work abundantly clear. The organization makes every effort to assist everyone who walks through the door, utilizing translators, volunteers, and pro bono attorneys. They also provide assistance with complex legal forms and try to match everyone with the correct resource that they need. I sat in on intakes for low-income individuals, domestic violence survivors, and elderly clients with no other support system. It became evident that without this intervention, these individuals would have been forced to navigate the formal justice system entirely alone. This semester gave me skills essential for both professional and daily life, but what made the experience truly exceptional was the people. I was fortunate to be surrounded by brilliant, dedicated individuals who took the time to teach me and who are all committed to the same mission. Those conversations helped me develop a more specific understanding of my own career goals. School prepares you with the facts, but a legal aid internship shows you the gap between a clean hypothetical and a real client in crisis. As I leave for the summer, I have a better understanding of the barriers low-income individuals face when navigating the justice system, and a profound respect for a team that shows up every single day to do this work. If you are a law student or pre-law student considering where to spend your summers or semester, I highly recommend volunteering at Dade Legal Aid. You will be challenged, supported and inspired
