Summer Public Interest Fellows 2025

How would you describe your experience?

This summer, I worked at the Erie County District Attorney's Office, observing and assisting in the prosecution of criminal cases. I was encouraged to spend as much time observing trials as possible, as the prosecutors considered that to be an invaluable learning experience. I found it to be quite edifying, as I learned a great deal about criminal procedure, the nuances of conducting a trial and how the attorneys engaged with evidence. I also saw several very effective summations.

As an intern, I conducted a great deal of legal research, finding cases that would help the prosecutors in my bureau survive motions and determine charges, as well as generating discovery reports. I listened to jail calls in an effort to find evidence. On Wednesdays, I attended the District Attorney's Office's Speaker Series, where prosecutors, judges, and defense attorneys gave presentations concerning specific aspects of the legal system, such as programs for youthful offenders, restorative justice, and evidence collection. I also toured the Erie County Crime Lab, as well as the Erie County Holding Center. These presentations were extremely informative, as they gave me a more concrete grasp as to how the criminal justice system functions. I was also exposed to certain aspects of criminal trials and investigations that the general public normally does not see. Furthermore, I was able to speak with both prosecutors and defense attorneys about their careers, how they approached trials, and their insights into the criminal justice system.

Overall, I believe my experience as an intern at the District Attorney's Office was valuable, educational and enjoyable. Furthermore, this experience has further confirmed my interest in pursuing a career in criminal prosecution, and I look forward to expanding my knowledge of this area of law as I move forward as a University at Buffalo law student.

What impacted you the most?

The most impactful aspect of my experience was being able to observe trials while simultaneously being aware of all the work that went into them on the part of the Assistant District Attorneys. While I have observed trials before as a participant in Introduction to the District Attorney's Office program, I did not have the opportunity to speak with prosecutors about evidence, witness statements, victim statements, and the behavior or possible criminal history of defendants. This experience not only showed me the complexities of litigating a criminal case, but gave me a new appreciation for the roles that detectives, investigators, medical examiners, and other experts serve in the legal system. Furthermore, observing these trials with the background knowledge that I had allowed me to see how a skilled attorney will draw evidence and testimony together in order to show the jury exactly what actually transpired. Additionally, viewing witness and complainant testimony has given me a grasp (albeit a superficial one) of the kind of trauma that results from such criminal activity. As such, while this experience has been very informative, it has also given me a new appreciation for the legal system and all those who participate in it.

What would you like to share with our donors?

I would not have been able to take what I did from this experience without the Buffalo Public Interest Law Program (BPILP) Fellowship. My internship at the District Attorney's Office was an extremely valuable experience, and the BPILP Fellowship, enabled me to work at this internship without suffering any adverse financial effects. Furthermore, not working a second job allowed me to fully process what I was learning and enabled me to reflect on my day-to-day experiences. The BPILP Fellowship gave me a substantial amount of flexibility, as it enabled me to adjust my schedule without having to coordinate with a second job. For example, my Bureau Chief needed to have a project finished as early in the week as possible, but my normal days in the office were Thursday and Friday. However, the BPILP Fellowship gave me the flexibility to adjust my schedule and come to the office on Monday in order to finish my research as quickly as possible. In conclusion, the generosity of BPILP's donors makes a substantial difference to law students like me.