2018 CIIP Program Book CIIP Booklet 2018 | Page 42

Most people are led to believe that being a great attorney is about your ability to speak well
and craft a great argument. While that’s definitely a huge part of it, my most valuable take-
away from my summer at the Office of the Public Defender hasn’t been the importance of
talking, analyzing, or presenting. It’s all come down to one simple action: listening.
I have learned so much from listening to our clients, whether they are telling us about their
passion for sports and rap, or honestly sharing their side of the story of when they were ar-
rested. Our clients, who are all younger than me, are some of the strongest people I’ve met.
I’ve learned about the unspeakable trauma and pain that so many of them have faced. And
by listening, I’ve been moved by their resiliency in the face of all, and I have been frustrated
too at the sheer injustice of our kids being trapped in a broken justice system.
It is so humbling to be invited into a child’s life in the moments when they feel that the world
is completely against them. Looking into the eyes of each kid this summer, I know that the
world isn’t made up of good people and bad people. Everyone just wants to be seen for the
whole person they are, in the context of everything that has ever happened to them — not
just for the mistakes they’ve made. It’s what I want for our justice system. It’s what our kids
want.
It’s been incredible to have worked alongside public defenders who devote their lives to
telling children that their voices matter. I feel lucky to have had a supportive supervisor like
Mark, who gave me opportunities beyond the office so that I could go out into the com-
munity and talk to youth about their rights and the legal system. Most of all, I’m so grateful
for these kids, for they have forever touched my life and helped me grow in ways I couldn’t
imagine. Our clients have reminded me time and time again that listening to and believing
someone with an open, empathetic heart can be the path to a more just society. They inspire
me to keep fighting the good fight.
• Assisted with preparation for court (watching video evidence,
speaking to clients and their families, understanding elements of
the case and developing case theory)
• Attended trials and hearings
• Visited potential youth placements including group homes, behav-
ior modification programs, and hardware-secure facilities
• Presented Know Your Rights trainings in the community and volun-
teered as a facilitator for Teen Court on Thursdays
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Community Partner: Office of the Public
Defender - Juvenile Division
Peer Mentor: Kelsey Ko
Site Supervisor: Mark Friedenthal
What is the OPD - Juvenile Division?
We are a group of lawyers, social workers,
and staff members from the Juvenile
Division of the Maryland Office of the Public
Defender who have chosen to dedicate our
careers to working with children in the Ju-
venile Court System. We believe that every
child is deserving of zealous advocacy, and
we fight each day to protect and defend our
clients and their due process rights. Our rep-
resentation continues even when the court
case ends. We encourage our clients to stay
in touch with us.