Berkeley Law’s Away Field Placement Program grants J.D. students academic credit for legal work performed for a non-profit or government agency outside the Bay Area. The Robbins Collection provides financial support for those students whose research takes them outside the U.S. and relates to civil or religious law traditions and institutions.
What was your role within Women in a Legal World during your away field placement?
I was an intern at Women in a Legal World in Madrid, Spain (WLW), a non-profit organization composed of female-identifying professionals working to transform the legal sector so that men and women have the same opportunities to succeed. My work in the organization focused on the support of new branches including Mexico and Costa Rica, helping with mentoring programs and supporting various commissions such as the diplomatic relations committee, mental health committee, and female hygiene and health rights committee.
Why did you choose Women in a Legal World for your away field placement?
I chose to focus my time at Women in a Legal World because of my work with WOCC+ (Berkeley Law’s Women of Color Collective). I believe, that to make the legal sector a space where women of color can thrive, work needs to be done. WLW in Spain has recognized this issue and its sole purpose is promoting and supporting women in the legal sector and highlighting them as strong, powerful, and intelligent individuals.
What do you believe an away field placement has contributed to your J.D. study that you wouldn’t have received in a traditional classroom setting?
Being part of WLW in Spain and gaining the legal and personal knowledge of running such an organization is never something I could have gained sitting in a traditional classroom. I would love to see WLW modeled in America, we need it. Although non-profit work is not currently my career path, I believe there are long strides to be made in order for female lawyers in America to be recognized, respected, and seen worthy of the same resources given to men, and an organization like WLW supports that mission.
What will you be doing after graduation?
After graduation I will be working as an associate at Dechert, LLP in San Francisco.