At The Center for Family Justice, we have an internship program that connects students with opportunities to explore what it’s like working with our agency, which provides free and confidential programs and services to people experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Please meet Jameson Russell, Jaden Mello, and Maya Silberman – our summer interns working with our Civil Legal Program.
Hi, my name is Jameson! I discovered CFJ through my school’s internship program. In selecting a perfect end-of-senior-year experience, I set forth three guiding criteria: I sought the opportunity to do meaningful real-world work, dive deeper into one of my passions, and be immersed in a welcoming, friendly, and fun environment. CFJ has fulfilled all of these goals. In my time interning in the legal department, I’ve relished the ability to develop firsthand experience. Observing trials and other court proceedings, researching, compiling forms, and falling down deep Supreme Court rabbit holes has been memorable and formative. More important than these experiences, however, are the remarkable people I’ve met. Spontaneous sit-downs with judges, chats with defense attorneys, and conversations with marshals have offered unique insight as to the inner workings of our judicial system. Even in the office, I’ve seen the genuine passion that the CFJ staff has for their work — an excitement that is contagious. The past month and a half have only reaffirmed my intent to pursue law when I start at the University of Pennsylvania next fall.
My name is Jaden! I just finished my first year at the University of Virginia where I’m on a pre-law track studying politics. I learned about CFJ from a high school friend who had previously interned here and had told me how much she had gotten out of her experience. I can confidently say that I have already seen how much of an impact this organization has, both on clients as well as people in the office. Coming into this summer, I wanted to get my feet wet with some firsthand experience in the legal world while also contributing to an effort that mattered. CFJ is just that. I can see how much people here care about their clients and learning how to connect and create a welcoming environment. Going to court, I have learned to appreciate the amount of preparation and quick thinking it takes to provide effective advocacy. I’ve already learned so much, and I can’t wait to learn more throughout the rest of the summer.
Hi, my name is Maya! I just moved to Connecticut from Frisco, Texas (right around Dallas!). This fall, I’ll be heading to Fordham University where I plan to study Global Finance on the pre-law track. This summer, I wanted to be a part of something that truly had an impact on the surrounding community. I found CFJ while searching for volunteer opportunities, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have spent my summer here. Every day, I get the chance to see the dedication and care everyone has for both their clients and to each other. In the legal department, I’ve gotten to interact firsthand with the judicial system, helping with court preparation and getting to talk to people at the core of our court system, from marshals to judges. I’ve learned so much here at CFJ, both about law and the impact one person can make, and I look forward to learning more!
For more information about the Center for Family Justice and our internships program, go to: https://centerforfamilyjustice.org/about/opportunities/.
