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An opportunity to intern at the Dependency Court Mediation Assistance Clinic within the Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution (LCCR) was a transformative experience.
Sara Campos, Director of the clinic and professor, became an important mentor. "Professor Campos really helped me discover my true calling," says Amal. "I knew I wanted to work in the pro bono space, and I have always been interested in mediation. I was given the perfect opportunity. While interning at LCCR, I not only developed and mastered essential lawyering skills but also was able to gain a better understanding of my true interest. We worked on real court cases, spending the entire day with the parents mediating agreements regarding legal custody, parenting plans, and holiday and vacation schedules. The goal is for the parties to reach an agreement which also serves as an exit order from Dependency Court and becomes their Family Court Orders. We spend the entire day with the parties, many of which lack the resources to get this kind of assistance from other sources. On that one day, you really have a tangible effect on peoples' lives for the better, and you can see the impact you're making on a daily basis."
Loyola Law School's reputation and emphasis on public interest were significant factors in her decision to attend. "With all my professional and international experience, I knew immediately that LLS was the real deal," she says. "They really practice what they preach. They're not just coming in and teaching a class, a lot of them are successful practitioners who are on the front lines of public interest law every day."
"My experience at LLS introduced me to my true passion and shifted my perspective. It's eye-opening. While I've been able to travel and do amazing things worldwide, my next chapter is right here in Los Angeles, where I can make an difference in my own backyard. I realize the importance of this work, especially as a parent myself. Public interest law and mediation are the driving forces that will help me truly make a meaningful impact in the world, and I am committed to continuing my work at the clinic, where I can assist families from marginalized communities in the region to help them realize better live for themselves and their children."