Sarah Courtney '26

Interning at the Volunteer Lawyers Project was a wonderful and rewarding experience. Everyday tasks at the office included tenant initial intakes, drafting closing and adjournment letters, and researching questions presented by the attorneys. I spent Wednesdays at Buffalo City Court speaking with tenants for the Attorney of the Morning program, to gather information about their holdover or non-payment case. I also filled out long forms that specified the terms of the agreement that was reached and gave a copy of the form to clients.

One highlight of my internship was the workshops provided by the Volunteer Lawyers Project for the interns. My favorite worship was the legal writing workshop in which we learned tips on how to improve our writing. Another highlight of my internship was the field trips to places like the Buffalo Supreme Court Library, Buffalo Immigration Court, and Buffalo Federal Court. Although, my favorite aspect of my internship was being able to develop connections with the tenants.

Thank you to the generous donors of the Garry Graber '78 Fellowship. I was pleased to be selected as a recipient for 2024 and am grateful for your support. This fellowship allowed me to discover my passion for non-profit work in the Buffalo community. I hope to continue engaging in non-profit work throughout my legal career. Thank you again for supporting my educational pursuits.