CLJC funded summer legal internships send Bobcats across Ohio, into Pennsylvania

From legal aid and public defender offices to courtrooms, prosecutor offices and civil liberties organizations, Ohio University students spent their summers gaining firsthand experience in the pursuit of justice through internships supported by the Center for Law, Justice and Culture (CLJC).

Working in communities across Ohio and into Pennsylvania, Ohio University students served alongside judges, attorneys, legal aid advocates, policymakers and public defenders while exploring careers in law and public service. Their experiences provided valuable professional training and deepened their understanding of how legal institutions shape the lives of individuals, families and communities.

These opportunities were made possible through the generosity of Ohio University alumnae Leah Recht ('06) and Jennifer Stevens ('04), as well as longtime friend of the University Mary Stanley, whose support helps remove financial barriers and allows students to pursue mission-driven internships that might otherwise be out of reach.

The students featured below represent a growing commitment to experiential learning within the CLJC. Through internships, legal clinics, study away programs and other hands-on opportunities, students are developing the knowledge, skills and sense of purpose that will prepare them to become the next generation of lawyers, advocates, public servants and community leaders.

"These internships represent the very best of experiential learning," said Larry Hayman, director of legal engagement and the Center for Law, Justice and Culture. "Our students spent the summer learning from judges, attorneys, legal aid advocates, public defenders, prosecutors and policymakers who generously invested their time and expertise in mentoring the next generation of legal professionals. We are equally grateful to the alumni and friends whose support makes these opportunities possible. Their generosity allows students to pursue meaningful public service experiences that deepen their understanding of law and justice while making a tangible impact in the communities they serve."

Juvenile justice in Athens County

The courtroom sat quiet and empty as Ohio University student Nick Silliman sat down with a stack of case files a foot tall and started sifting through each folder in search of any relevant background information. Judge Zachary Saunders had asked him to look through the files for the day’s hearings to get familiar with the facts of each case and the anatomy of a case file.

“I opened up the first folder not knowing what exactly to look for as I combed through discovery requests, judgement entries, case plans, Guardian ad Litem reports and an initial complaint filed two or three years ago,” said Silliman, a senior studying political science, recalling his first day at the Athens County Juvenile and Probate Court.

Silliman spoke about how the experience made him realize how attorneys and judges think differently and ask different questions than most of the general public would.

“I had never heard an attorney ask a question of a witness that they did not already know the answer to, and was surprised that they ask questions of witnesses testifying to build a narrative of facts about what occurred, not to gain new information. This was especially apparent when listening to how pro se litigants questioned witnesses,” Silliman said.

He says the experience taught him how to structure judicial opinions and temporary orders, and how to take effective notes during hearings to aid in the drafting of opinions and orders.

Silliman’s internship at the Athens County Juvenile and Probate Court was supported by the Mary Stanley Public Service Internship Support Fund.

Advancing access to justice in Southeastern Ohio

Lilly Garner and Ella Pelton had the opportunity to intern at Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO) in Athens over the summer. Garner completed her bachelor’s degree in May, receiving a political science pre-law degree at OHIO. She is now pursuing a master’s degree in law, justice and culture. Pelton is entering her junior year studying political science with a minor in sociology and a certificate in law, justice and culture. Both internships were funded by the Social Justice Internship Support Fund, supported by OHIO alumna Leah Recht.

LASCO provides legal services to indigent, or low income residents across southeast and central Ohio. Garner said one of the most important parts of legal work is talking to people and building strong relationships.

“The client interaction was undoubtedly one of the most meaningful parts of my internship. The law is incredibly complex, and the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate the legal system are often inaccessible to the people who need them most,” Garner said. “This is especially apparent in a community like Athens, where poverty can create additional barriers to accessing legal assistance.”

Working primarily in housing law through LASCO’s Tenant Advocacy Project, TAP, Pelton conducted research and went to court to help low-income individuals facing eviction.

“While in the courtroom, I had the opportunity to speak with clients on-on-one and work alongside attorneys to better understand the legal complexities behind each individual situation,” Pelton said. “These conversations with clients were some of the most meaningful parts of my internship. Hearing people’s stories and seeing how much a legal issue could impact their lives made the importance of access to justice feel much more real to me.”

Garner and Pelton both said they are incredibly grateful for the support provided by Mary Stanley and the CLJC, without which such internships would not have been possible. They said they were further inspired by summer experiences to continue pursuing careers in law and public service.

Order in the court in Jackson County

The Jackson County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile and Probate Division hosted Marshall Smittle in an internship funded by the Mary Stanley Public Service Internship Support Fund. Smittle is a sophomore studying history at OHIO’s Honors Tutorial College with a certificate in law, justice and culture.

Smittle observed hearings with judges and magistrates, accompanied the court bailiff and probation officers to juvenile detention centers to bring delinquents to court, took records for hearings and read through various case files. From observing hearings and speaking with judges and magistrates, he learned about many of the resources to help families succeed that the court can help facilitate, such as food assistance, job and family services and housing assistance.

“Based on this experience, I believe every family deserves the support and resources needed to raise a child, and that oftentimes children only find themselves in court due to inadequate access to necessary support systems,” Smittle said.

In probate court, Smittle found himself fascinated by the management of estates, adoptions and guardianships.

“The work done in probate court is some of the most interesting legal work I have gotten to witness so far,” Smittle said. “This court really surprised me in how incredibly important and fascinating it is in a way I had not thought of before.”

Pulling from these experiences, Smittle continues his undergraduate education with a continued interest in public service and hopes to further dive into the complexities of probate law throughout his legal career.

Chief legal counsel of the State of Ohio

Giana Ray spent her summer in Columbus at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office as part of an internship funded by the Mary Stanley Public Service Internship Support Fund. She is a junior studying English pre-law with a minor in social service.

As part of her internship, Ray conducted research and prepared potential cases for the Major Litigation Unit of the Attorney General’s office to pursue. She created presentations on professional development and litigation work, while she also explored an area of law of her particular interest.

“I was able to reach outside of my unit and talk with other divisions. I am interested in elder justice, and I sat down with the heads of the Elder Justice Unit to discuss career opportunities,” Ray said. “They also invited me to attend the World Elder Abuse Convention, where I learned about the hardships older adults in Ohio face as well as different opportunities for me to make a difference.”

From this experience, she says she was better able to understand the daily tasks of a public service lawyer and see how much work case preparation entails.

“I was able to see career opportunities for my future after law school and made great connections. Getting hands-on experience in the legal profession has given me valuable insight into the direct impact public service lawyers have,” Ray said.

Ray plans to use her experience and education to pursue a degree in law and a career in public service and social work, helping older adults get the representation they need and fight against the growing issue of elder abuse.

Public defense in Cincinnati

In her hometown of Cincinnati, Sophia Maher had the opportunity to intern at the Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office, an internship supported by the Mary Stanley Public Service Internship Support Fund. Maher is a junior studying criminology with a minor in political science and certificate in law, justice and culture.

Reviewing body camera footage, meeting with clients alongside attorneys, and observing court proceedings showed Maher just how different the work of a public defender was from what she previously thought.

“One of the biggest takeaways from my experience was having my perception of public defenders and public defense work completely changed. Seeing firsthand the amount of work, advocacy and compassion that goes into representing members of the community was incredibly meaningful,” Maher said, “In particular, meeting juveniles navigating the court system stayed with me and reminded me of the importance of seeing the person behind every case.”

Maher’s interest in criminal defense is strengthened by her experience as she continues her education and volunteer work at OHIO as the director of Students Defending Students.

“As I enter my third year of my undergraduate career, I am carrying with me a new perspective on the legal profession and a stronger sense of the kind of advocate I hope to become,” Maher said.

Prosecuting in Cambridge, Ohio

Madison Peters interned at the Guernsey County Prosecutor’s Office, funded by the Mary Stanley Public Service Internship Support Fund. Peters is a sophomore majoring in English pre-law and journalism news and information.

Peters spent her summer reviewing hundreds of case files and updating case information to comply with Marsy’s Law. She also shadowed attorneys as they went to court and observed how they approached legal research and oral arguments.

“This internship taught me so much about the importance of fair legal representation in a rural community. I learned that prosecution and victim advocacy not only affect the parties in a case but also bolster and protect the entire community we live in,” Peters said.

Peters plans to apply what she has learned and experienced to future legal opportunities, exploring different fields with a particular interest in education, copyright and communications law.

Civil rights and liberties in Cleveland

Raegan Elliot spent her summer in Cleveland with the ACLU of Ohio, an internship funded by the Social Justice Internship Support Fund, supported by OHIO alumna Leah Recht. Elliot is a senior studying political science pre-law and environmental biology with certificates in law, justice and culture, and environmental sustainability and resilience.

Working with the ACLU’s Policy and Advocacy Team, Elliot got to learn about public policy, civil liberties and advocacy on the state and local levels. Her main focus was on privacy and government surveillance, particularly surveillance technology in Ohio, composing a 28-page report on government surveillance in Ohio.

“The report not only dives into what is present in Ohio’s surveillance scene, but also what local activists can do to fight it. I was very happy for the chance to tackle such a pertinent issue, especially as Flock cameras are making headlines, and share what I learned with my fellow Ohioans as well,” Elliot said.

Elliot worked directly with lobbyists, policy analysts, advocates and community organizers, representing the ACLU at Cleveland Pride and community forums, and shadowing the ACLU of Ohio’s chief lobbyist and legislative director at the Ohio Statehouse while he shared testimony. At the end of the summer, she left her internship at the ACLU of Ohio with a newfound passion for the privacy promised by the Fourth Amendment and other civil liberties the ACLU protects.

“I think the most important lesson I learned though was the importance of working in defense of our democracy,” Elliot said. “I hope to pursue a career that centers public interest and a better future for us all, as my colleagues at the ACLU of Ohio did and continue to do everyday.”

Legal aid in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Olivia Wooley and Loren Breslin are rising seniors double majoring in sociology pre-law and political science, and sociology pre-law and psychology respectively. They both spent their summer interning with Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. NLS is a nonprofit that works to provide legal aid and services to indigent residents in Pittsburgh.

“Much of my undergraduate education has focused on examining different sectors and groups within society, but this internship allowed me to see firsthand how legal-aid services can directly change an individual’s life,” Breslin said.

At NLS, Wooley and Breslin worked on projects involving expungement and public benefits. Wooley detailed how the internship reinforced her belief that people deserve second chances.

“Sometimes people commit crimes because they can’t afford to feed their families, they’re stuck living in unsafe neighborhoods, they might be victims of domestic violence, and more. Those systemic and financial factors that cause crime often go unaddressed,” Wooley said. “Somebody may reoffend later because they’re stuck with a criminal record that makes it even more difficult to secure a livable job and safe housing. Clearing records gave our clients a fresh start to seek financial stability through increased opportunities, breaking the cycle of poverty and crime.”

Both Wooley and Breslin look forward with a deeper understanding and passion for legal aid and public service. They remain involved in their commitment to increasing access to justice at OHIO as a part of the OHIO Rural Justice Lab, volunteering at local legal clinics in Athens and Hocking Counties.

The internships at NLS were funded by the Adele Morelli Fund for Legacy and Impact, supported by OHIO alumna Jennifer Stevens.  

Looking forward

The students selected for CLJC-funded summer internships share a commitment to law, justice, and public service that extends well beyond the classroom. Many have developed their interests through experiential learning opportunities such as the OHIO Rural Justice Lab, Students Defending Students, Ohio University Student Senate and faculty-led study abroad programs in Northern Ireland and South Africa. Their summer experiences further strengthened their understanding of the law's role in serving communities and helping individuals navigate complex challenges.

These internships reflect the Center for Law, Justice and Culture's commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers through hands-on learning and public engagement. The CLJC is deeply grateful to the alumni and friends whose generosity makes these transformative opportunities possible.

Support from the Social Justice Internship Support Fund, established by Ohio University alumna Leah Recht ('06); the Adele Morelli Fund for Legacy and Impact, established by Ohio University alumna Jennifer Stevens ('04); and the Mary Stanley Public Service Internship Support Fund has enabled students to gain invaluable professional experience while serving communities throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania. Their investments in student success will continue to create opportunities for future generations of Bobcats committed to advancing justice, public service and positive social change.