Summer Job Diaries: YJEC Summer Law Clerk Advocates for Clients and Fights for Policy Change
Clara De Goldsmith-Rothschild ’28 spent her summer at the Loyola Social Justice Law Clinic’s Youth Justice Education Clinic (YJEC), where she worked on cases, drafted policy alongside grassroots activist organizations, and even gave a public comment at a committee meeting. De Goldsmith-Rothschild pushed herself to develop new skills and trust her own capabilities as she prepares for a career in education law.
How did you land your summer job?
I was very fortunate to land my summer job after applying to the Youth Justice Education Clinic this past spring. I had been speaking with Professor Wong and Professor Nuñez about how excited I was to work and advocate for young peoples’ educational rights but also intimidated by the responsibility that came with it. At the end of April, Professor Wong reached out and asked if I would be interested in clerking for the clinic, and I immediately accepted, because I was particularly interested in participating in their policy work.
What is the most interesting part of your job?
There are many interesting parts to this job. In a single week, there is a tremendous range of opportunities; some weeks are more policy- and advocacy-focused, while some others a significantly more case-focused. By far the most interesting part of clerking over the summer, in my opinion, was the opportunity to meet the local grassroots activist organizations and help draft policy alongside them. Thanks to that I was able to give public comment and write legal research memos to support their different endeavors. I also enjoyed this summer job tremendously because I appreciated the fact that the team was concerned with showing up for the community and listening to the young peoples’ needs.
What has been your most challenging assignment thus far?
The most challenging assignment I had thus far was giving public comment. I really enjoyed the research aspects of helping people get a good legal footing and finding which governing case and local law is relevant, but I was extremely nervous to speak in front of a public committee meeting. It was challenging more so because I had to make sure I was speaking clearly, getting my point across, and not letting ‘stage fright’ get the better of me with the limited time I had to address the board.
What new legal skill have you acquired during your summer job?
This summer job taught me to pay close attention to detail and to consider the tone of my writing and the audience for written work. Over the summer, I helped prepare a statement letter that asserted parents’ First Amendment and Brown Act rights before two school districts. Initially, I wrote it similarly to what we had covered during 1L, but I quickly found that it did not meet the needs of the clients. After writing multiple drafts, I understood that the clients were looking for reassurance about their legal standing, clarity, and accessibility. I learned to tailor my writing and consider the intended recipient. Additionally, I was very fortunate that the clinic was able to enroll me in an Administrative Law Intensive, so I was able to continue studying over the summer and meet other law students interested in pursuing education law. We learned about the procedural safeguards in place and how to advocate for our clients in due process cases, while also getting the chance to practice with seasoned attorneys and judges to help us improve.
What bit of legal knowledge have you been able to display?
I got the chance to brush up on my legal research and writing skills! Since a few of my assignments over the summer required me to do some very specific research, I was able to review and practice the different research methods that we studied in the first semester.
How has Loyola helped you map your career path?
Loyola has helped me map my career path thanks to the attentive, supportive, and passionate staff and faculty. As a first generation law student, I sometimes feel like there is so much information and knowledge that I am lacking, and I am so grateful that they are always willing to make time, listen, and impart their perspectives and lived experiences as I work to carve my career path. Loyola also offers many opportunities, both in education and in the workforce. Sometimes these opportunities just require a leap of faith and trusting your own capabilities.