I participated in the AEF Judicial Internship Program this past summer, and it was a great experience for so many reasons. I did not know what to expect from the program and from a judicial internship, but it truly changed the course of my career.

I gained incredible legal research and writing experience through my judicial internship. I researched a multitude of substantive and procedural issues and got to write bench memos and an opinion. Through these projects, I saw noticeable progress in my research and writing abilities because of the guidance and feedback given by my chambers. I got to observe oral advocacy through hearings and trials, seeing portions of the litigation process I never had before. I also got the unique experience of witnessing the inside workings of the decision-making process. 

In addition to the tangible skills I gained, the AEF programming provided mentorship and built up my self-confidence. The brown bag lunches with judges from the Office of Administrative Hearings, DC Superior Court, DC Court of Appeals, District Court for the District of Columbia, and DC Circuit was a highlight of the program. Hearing from the participating judges was inspiring, and their stories and advice gave me the confidence to pursue positions and responsibilities I otherwise may not have. I also was paired with a mentor through the program, and she has become a trusted friend and support to me even past the duration of the internship. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to participate in the AEF Judicial Internship Program, and I truly could not recommend it enough

As an AEF Public Interest Fellow, I experienced exactly the sort of work I had hoped for going to law school—local, hands-on, poverty-addressing advocacy. I interned at Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV), commuting twenty minutes to the office and courthouse. I visited the courthouse multiple times per week to shadow attorneys and conduct outreach to people who might benefit from LSNV's services. While I focused on housing and eviction, I was exposed to domestic violence and child custody cases, helped expunge criminal records, and even drafted wills for elders. Ultimately, I saw how poverty affects people's lives and how thoughtful and compassionate attorneys can make a difference.

Thank you to AEF for the financial support that let me explore the work I most wanted to engage with. Working at LSNV rooted me in the sometimes mundane issues of everyday life that need not only local advocates but also policy leaders. In the next year, I hope to explore policy work at both the state and national levels, applying this experience to pursue change with a broader scope. I also look forward to staying connected with the AEF DC community, which has already expanded my perspective on the possibilities for legal advocacy in poverty law.

Last summer, I was grateful to be selected as an AEF Summer Public Interest Fellow. AEF provided instrumental financial support that allowed me to intern in San Francisco with Pangea Legal Services. Pangea Legal Services is a nonprofit legal organization that specializes in deportation defense. As an intern, I supported clients in removal proceedings in both detained and non-detained settings. Through Pangea’s participation in the Rapid Response Network across San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties, I worked with clients who were recently arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at their immigration court hearings, their homes, or at their routine ICE check-ins. 

My summer experience at Pangea was especially meaningful as the daughter of immigrants, as my own existence in this country was only made possible by generations of activists and lawyers before me. I could not have done this work without the critical support of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association Educational Fund (AEF), which believed in me before I started my internship and invested in me during this formative experience. I look forward to continuing to speak truth to power and giving back to the Asian Pacific American Bar Association community in the years to come.

The AEF Public Interest Fellowship is incredibly important to me because it encourages and supports Asian law students in gaining meaningful public interest experience. As corporate work becomes increasingly attractive, and as the financial reality of an unpaid or low-paid public interest summer can be a real barrier, this kind of support is crucial. With AEF’s financial assistance, I was able to work at a nonprofit providing legal services to low-income Asian immigrants in the DMV area. I entered law school primarily interested in general immigration matters, but my summer internship also sparked a commitment to domestic violence assistance, as I helped clients file VAWA and U Visa petitions. 

Serving the Asian community last summer, with AEF's sponsorship and mentorship from inspiring attorneys, solidified my decision to build a career in nonprofit legal work with and for the communities whose stories I recognize from my own life. Now, upon graduation, I aim to provide legal aid to survivors of violence in immigration, domestic violence, and child custody cases. The sense of purpose I found in working directly with clients and helping people navigate urgent and dangerous situations made it clear that this is the path I want to pursue, regardless of salary. I’m grateful to be part of the AEF network, and I'm excited to keep learning from and helping one another.

As a Filipino-American, the AEF Fellowship gave me the opportunity to connect with other Asian-American law students and professionals, a network that has been invaluable to my development in the legal field. Being part of a community of peers and mentors who shared similar cultural backgrounds and commitments to public interest work strengthened my sense of purpose as an aspiring attorney. The fellowship also played a significant role in shaping my career trajectory by reinforcing the importance of service and access to justice.

Through the fellowship, I received a grant that removed financial barriers and made it possible for me to spend my summer working at the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center. Seeing firsthand how free legal services can change someone’s life has led me to seek opportunities in the private sector with a strong commitment to pro bono work. Without the fellowship, I would not have been able to engage in critical immigration and housing advocacy for the DMV community—work that was deeply needed and personally meaningful.

The AEF First Generation Scholarship, made possible through the generosity of Ms. Jessie Liu, allowed me to continue my law school education without the heavy financial burden of student loans. As a first-generation law student, this support meant more than financial stability, it gave me the space to truly dedicate myself to my passions and long-term goals, free from the constant pressure of financial uncertainty.

Because of AEF’s investment in my education, I am able to pursue a career path dedicated to serving the Asian Pacific Islander community. After law school, I plan to apply for a judicial clerkship and ultimately pursue public-interest or government work. My goal is to return to serve the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, where the legal community is small and representation is especially limited, particularly for someone who looks like me.

I would have never dared to dream beyond the comforts of my tiny islands, but programs like this make those dreams possible and allow me to continue paving the way for others who come after me. AEF’s support has not only shaped my career trajectory, but has also empowered me to uplift and advocate for the communities that shaped me who are often voiceless and invisible. Thank you AEF for believing in and my dreams!