Planting Seeds in the Desert: Interviews with Legal Oasis Interns (Part 10)

In this blog post series, interns who are participating in the Legal Oasis Internship program discuss their participation in the program and why they choose to live and serve in an underserved area. Background on this program can be found in the initial blog post of this series. It is our hope that others will be inspired by these stories.

The post in this series is an interview with Ashlyn Guthrie, a rising second-year law student at Campbell University School of Law.

The interview was conducted by James S. Perry, a small-town practitioner in Kinston. Mr. Perry is also on the Professionalism Committee with the NCBA and is currently the Executive Director of the Chief Justice Commission on Professionalism.

Guthrie is originally from Carteret County, North Carolina. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Western Carolina University before pursuing her law degree. This summer, Ashlyn is serving as a Legal Oasis Fellow and judicial intern for Judge Willis in North Carolina’s Fourth Judicial District. Through her coursework and practical experiences, she has developed an interest in a variety of legal fields and enjoys exploring the many ways attorneys serve their clients and communities. Guthrie is passionate about public service and hopes to use her legal education to make a positive impact in North Carolina, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Ashlyn Guthrie

Could you share about your background?

My name is Ashlyn Guthrie, and I grew up on the coast of North Carolina in Carteret County.

Why are you going to law school, and what impacted your decision to pursue the law?

Growing up in a small, underserved community has shaped both who I am and why I wish to pursue a legal career. As a close-knit coastal area, it gave me the support, sense of belonging and motivation to work hard to pursue my goals. At the same time, I became aware of the challenges that come with living in an underserved area, particularly limited access to legal opportunities and resources. Witnessing many of the people I admire most working in this community within the legal field and seeing how they gave back to the place I call home inspired my decision to attend law school and advocate for those who may otherwise struggle to have their voices heard.

What are your hopes for the future? Where would you like to live, and what type of work would you like to do?

I hope to live and practice in a small coastal community in North Carolina after law school. I have absolutely loved my time working in Carteret and Craven Counties this summer, and I would be thrilled to return to either community in the future. This experience has reinforced my desire to serve smaller communities and make a meaningful impact where legal resources are so important. While I am still exploring different areas of the law, I am especially interested in criminal law and currently see myself pursuing a career as a prosecutor.

Would you consider living in a large city? Why or why not?

I would definitely consider it because I never want to say never. I don’t know what the future holds. That said, my preference would absolutely be to work in a smaller community. Growing up in a small town and now having the opportunity to spend the summer working in one has reinforced how important it is to have dedicated legal professionals serving these communities. There is a real need for accessible legal resources, and being able to give back to a community like the one where I was raised would be incredibly meaningful to me. I also believe that smaller communities offer unique opportunities to build meaningful relationships with clients, attorneys, and judges while receiving close mentorship and hands-on experience. Those connections not only help you grow as a legal professional but also as a person, which is something I truly value.

Describe your summer internship. Would you encourage other students to take a similar experience? Why?

This summer, I had the opportunity to intern for Judge Willis, a Superior Court Judge serving Carteret, Craven and Pamlico Counties in North Carolina. Through this internship, I have shadowed Judge Willis during both criminal and civil court proceedings, including administrative and trial terms.

During my internship, I gained a deeper understanding of probation violation hearings by reviewing prior record level worksheets, probation violation reports and other court documents. I learned about felony and misdemeanor sentencing, as well as the various sentencing options available for probation violations. I also had the opportunity to draft an order for a trial de novo, which was ultimately signed and used by Judge Willis.

Additionally, I observed several voir dire proceedings and developed a greater appreciation for the jury selection process. One of the most valuable aspects of this experience has been witnessing firsthand how a judge analyzes legal issues, evaluates the facts presented and reaches decisions in the courtroom. I have also had the opportunity to meet and interact with members of the District Attorney’s Offices in Carteret, Craven and Sampson Counties, as well as defense attorneys practicing in those jurisdictions.

I would highly encourage any student interested in practicing in a smaller community or participating in the Legal Oasis Fellowship to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. Being able to observe court proceedings and discuss cases with Judge Willis and other attorneys has provided me with invaluable insight into the legal profession. This experience has exceeded all of my expectations, and I have learned far more than I ever imagined. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and know it will have a lasting impact on my legal education and future career.