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Can you share some of the practical legal skills you’ve gained while working in LCCR, and how they are preparing you for your future career?
At the Loyola Center for Conflict Resolution (LCCR), I have gained practical legal skills in client interaction, negotiation, mediation, and document drafting. At LCCR, we provide a setting to listen to parties and address their goals through mediation, conciliation, referrals, and options counseling. I have learned to interact with parties in a way that addresses the strong emotions that often accompany conflict. Similarly, I have gained problem-solving skills by using that communication to draft documents and direct discussions in such a way that facilitates practical solutions. I will use these skills throughout my career to facilitate conflict resolution for clients while addressing their underlying concerns through attentive advocacy and practical, communicative problem-solving.
What has it been like working directly with clients, and how has that experience impacted you personally and professionally?
Working directly with parties as a mediator has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. With skills and communication approaches that can facilitate practical solutions to complex problems and emotions, LCCR students are equipped with the tools to impact the community through pro bono work and our own personal and professional journeys. By practicing collaborative and active communication, I can apply these communication skills throughout my legal career and continuously find new opportunities to facilitate practical problem-solving and actionable solutions both personally and professionally.
Would you recommend the clinical experience to other students, and what advice would you give to those considering joining?
I would recommend the clinic experience to other students as it provides a great opportunity to gain skills in communication, client interaction, and legal problem-solving. I would advise those considering joining to get involved by actively collaborating with clinic volunteers, supervisors, and fellow students as well as taking every opportunity to practice communication and conflict-resolution skills. The clinic provides an excellent environment to make a meaningful impact on the community and develop as a legal professional.