Needless to say , I will take a lot of what I ’ ve learned at the Public Justice Center with me through different avenues of life . Every person I ’ ve met at the PJC is incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about their specialty . Most folks were lawyers themselves or paralegals . As an undergraduate student , I have very little knowledge about law , however , I did not want this to prevent me from learning and filling in the gaps . My two supervisors have supported me and the work I ’ ve presented to them . Having two people to look over the separate tasks I was given allowed me to explore a variety of assignments this summer .
My supervisor in the Housing Project used my knowledge of Canva to create marketing tools on the inclusionary housing and licensing bills they ’ re currently focused on . My supervisor in the Workplace Justice Project , meanwhile , has been preparing for a case that is happening in the next month or so . The assignments he gave me focused on alleviating office tasks that he hadn ’ t had time to do and , fortunately , a more legal assignment where I learned more about the facts of the case . While my internship was primarily remote , I was able to go in person on several occasions to observe Rent Court , attend a press conference regarding the inclusionary housing bill , and hop into the office for the occasional meeting . Having this duality with the Public Justice Center allowed me to see how the administrative end of the organization connects to Baltimoreans and their lived experiences . At Rent Court , the PJC prefaces every week that anyone facing eviction or seeking free legal counsel can meet with the lawyers before their case is brought up . In one instance , a tenant needed a translator and luckily one of the paralegals at the PJC was able to explain to her what was going on . If the PJC hadn ’ t intervened , the judge might not have realized that she needed a translator , which would have put her at a huge disadvantage .
As I pivot towards my final weeks at the Public Justice Center , I ’ m working on a presentation and a memo regarding the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act ( TOPA ). Currently , I ’ m researching how TOPA has worked in different jurisdictions to see potential examples that could be implemented in Baltimore . TOPA would be a way for tenants in Baltimore to regain autonomy over their housing , seize properties that have declined in condition due to cruel landlords , and rebuild their communities . I ’ m still doing research and trying to understand the nuances of the act , but I ’ m excited to see where it goes from here .
Created social media marketing graphics on behalf of Baltimore Renters United regarding new bills being introduced
Extracted , analyzed , and organized specific key information from 100 + pages of depositions and interrogatory responses by plaintiffs represented by the PJC to be used later regarding a potential class action lawsuit settlement
Developed infographics regarding the inclusionary housing bill to simplify the information and extend outreach and support for the initiative
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29TH STREET COMMUNITY CENTER WHITELOCK PUBLIC COMMUNITY SHEPHERD JUSTICE ' S CENTER FARM CLINIC
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