2025 Summer Public Interest Fellow

How would you describe your experience?

My experience this summer was extremely rewarding. At the Monroe County Public Defenders Office (MCPDO), I was able to help attorneys ensure our clients' rights were not being violated by the criminal justice system. My daily tasks included researching possible defenses and legal issues, attending court hearings, sitting in on client-attorney conversations, and even writing the closing statement for a DVSJA hearing that was submitted to the court.

At the NY Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department ("Fourth Department"), I collaborated with colleagues in developing and launching the New York Youth Law Academy - a free high school program for Rochester-area students to gain knowledge into the law and network with our local legal community. In addition, I improved my objective writing skills by writing an internal report that was sent to other appellate court justices, providing a clear and concise overview of the case I was assigned.

Overall, I had the opportunity to help those in need, while also improving my research, writing, and client communication skills.

What impacted you the most?

While it is always nice to improve legal skills at an internship, the thing that impacted me the most was having the opportunity to help those less fortunate than I without having to worry about money.

At the MCPDO, I saw people at the lowest points in their lives, and I was able to do good work and help ensure they were receiving the most from the criminal justice system. Maintaining and protecting constitutional rights is an essential element in the system and that is the very work of the public defender.

At the Fourth Department, I helped give high school students an opportunity not many are given at such a young age: knowledge of the law and connections in the legal community. Seeing the kids' eyes light up when speakers came in and spoke extremely rewarding. While developing and launching a week-long program is a lot of time and effort, it was all worth it when we got to see the smiles at the graduation ceremony.

What would you like to share with our donors?

I would like to express my sincere thanks to the generous donors of the Ross M. Cellino '82 and Ann Marie Cellino '81 Summer Fellowship, whose aid made my summer experience possible. Thanks to this fellowship, I was able to devote my full attention to helping those less privileged than I while improving essential legal skills, including research, writing, and client communication.