From criminal defense and municipal law to election technology, space policy and class action work, Madisonians are using research, writing and critical thinking skills to understand how legal systems affect individuals, communities and institutions.
This story is the fourth installment of our summer internship series. Read the first, second and third stories in this series.
Abraham Jaafar
Internship with Secrest Wardle Law Firm in Troy, MI
Majors: International Relations, Politics, Rights & Culture and Digital Storytelling
Minors: Economics and Muslim Studies
Expected Graduation Year: 2028
What were some of your regular responsibilities during your internship? I regularly had the opportunity to shadow attorneys and other legal professionals while assisting with high-stakes cases. Some of my responsibilities included filing legal documents through the firm's e-filing system and ensuring they were properly organized. I was also tasked with reviewing, recording and documenting deposition summaries and court proceedings. In addition, I helped maintain our team's legal files by verifying information and tracking down missing documents to ensure that records were accurate and up to date.
Which skills from JMC showed up most clearly in your internship? Critical thinking and communication, especially in high-intensity moments within the firm. Being able to carefully review complex legal documents and make sure everything was accurate required a great deal of attention to detail and critical thinking. Strong communication was also important when working with attorneys and other members of the team to ensure information was organized correctly and tasks were completed efficiently.
Was there a JMC course, assignment, professor or discussion that helped prepare you for this work? I would say Prof. Das Gupta's MC 230: Culture and Politics in Comparative Perspective class and Prof. Graham's MC 221: The Politics of International Relations class have been especially helpful. MC 230 challenged me to think about complex issues through both a theoretical and justice-oriented framework, pushing me to consider different perspectives and the broader impacts of policy and social issues. MC 221 taught me how to think more strategically in my communication in both professional and leadership settings.
Melissa Aguilar Gabriel
Legal Assistant Internship with Norwood Space Company in Los Angeles, CA
Majors: Politics, Rights & Culture and International Relations
Minors: Science, Technology & Environmental Public Policy, Computational Mathematics, Science & Engineering and Business
Expected Graduation Year: 2029
What were some of your regular responsibilities during your internship? Overviewing space mission regulation, space data center under a space law constitutionalism framework and development of this constitution.
What kind of public affairs issues or problems did your internship focus on? Environmental public policy and extraterritorial jurisdiction on space development initiatives and proposals internationally.
Which JMC skills showed up most clearly in your internship? Understanding of environmental and international law, environmental justice, technology development and policy, and understanding race and class theory in institutionalized efforts and the relevant role of different Indigenous communities nation and worldwide in environmental stewardship.
How did the experience shape how you're thinking about your future career path? I have always been interested in space law constitutionalism as well as the intersection between AI machine development and environmental public policy and Indigenous law. However, this experience has helped me understand the relevance of technical knowledge and the different nuances and layers that a proposal for space development has to go through as it is a combination of national, international and extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Jacqueline Russell
Internship with Sorin & Pyle Trial Lawyers in Holland, MI
Majors: Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy and Criminal Justice
Expected Graduation Year: 2027
What were some of your regular responsibilities during the internship? Reviewing police reports, body camera footage, surveillance videos and other materials for criminal cases. I draft legal memoranda summarizing evidence, identifying key events and timelines, and noting information that could be helpful to the defense. I accompany my supervising attorney to court and client meetings, and assist with case preparation.
What kind of legal issues or public problems did your internship focus on? My internship focuses on criminal defense matters. The experience has exposed me to broader public issues involving the criminal justice system, defendants' constitutional rights, law enforcement practices, incarceration, due process and access to effective legal representation. I have gained a better understanding and passion for how legal outcomes can impact individuals and their families.
Which skills from JMC showed up most clearly in your internship? Critical thinking, analytical writing, close reading and the ability to evaluate multiple perspectives. Reviewing evidence requires extreme attention to detail while considering how different parties might interpret the same events. Strong written communication is also essential when preparing memoranda and presenting findings in a clear, organized, and professional manner.
How did the experience shape your interest in law school or legal work? This experience has greatly strengthened my interest in attending law school and pursuing a legal career. I have seen how legal work combines research, writing, critical thinking, and problem-solving while having a direct impact on people's lives. I have especially enjoyed seeing how attorneys advocate for their clients and the passion they bring to helping people navigate some of the most challenging times in their lives.
Isaac Peck
Internship with Stimpson & Associates P.C. in Tecumseh, MI
Major: Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy
Minor: Political Economy
Expected Graduation Year: 2026
What were some of your regular responsibilities during your internship? I have cases that I am responsible for keeping up with and completing, as well as making court runs, bank runs and communicating as needed with clients.
What kind of public affairs issues or problems did your internship focus on? I primarily work within the laws passed by the State of Michigan. One of the attorneys represents local municipal governments and has been showing me the ropes of representing a governmental body.
Which JMC course, professor or discussion helped prepare you for this opportunity? Prof. Wolf has helped me develop my research and writing skills. This is especially true for MC 341: Politics and Markets, where the final paper explores a recommended change in laws or rules. I had to learn to efficiently read the laws and interpret them, which I also do to an extent at my internship.
How did the experience shape how you're thinking about your future career path? It has opened my interest in municipal and other government legal representation.
Hana Thorson
Internship with Michigan House Minority Leader Rep. Ranjeev Puri’s Office in Lansing, MI
Major: Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy
Minor: Philosophy & Law
Expected Graduation Year: 2027
What were some of your regular responsibilities during your internship? Most of my work is in constituent services, primarily gauging which issues constituents in Leader Puri's district need help with. This also comes in the form of planning exciting opportunities to establish a community in Canton. Additionally, I conduct policy research as I work to propose a bill on elections and technology.
What kind of public affairs issues or problems did your internship focus on? My policy focus centers on the intersection of technology, behavioral economics and election integrity. My research evaluates the role of prediction markets in elections. This involved analyzing quantitative economic data and psychological behavior to understand how these platforms influence public perception and to potentially forecast political outcomes compared to traditional polling.
How did the experience shape how you're thinking about your future career path? Working on a bill proposal at the intersection of elections and technology made me realize how rapidly tech is outpacing current regulatory frameworks. When I was looking into election prediction markets, I noticed a lack of existing data and policy research, despite how quickly these platforms are growing. This exposure made me realize that I want to be part of closing that gap. After graduation, my goal is to pursue a Master’s in Public Policy with a strict focus on tech policy.
Krisha Patel
Internship with Legal Resource Center in Cape Town, South Africa
Majors: International Relations and Politics, Rights & Culture
Minor: Business
Expected Graduation Year: 2028
What were some of your regular responsibilities during the internship? I worked in the land rights department and my day-to-day tasks included climate research and drafting memorandums. Along with these responsibilities I would also assist in immigration court for walk-in clients.
What kind of legal issues or public problems did your internship focus on? We focus on class action suits that vary between land rights, digital literacy, education, immigration and food rights.
Which skills from JMC showed up most clearly in your internship? Critical thinking skills and my previous research skills showed through a lot in my internship.
How did the experience shape your interest in law school or legal work? I would say that the work that the lawyers do here really affects people in a positive way and it changes lives. This experience has heightened my interest in the legal field as well as the nonprofit sector.