My Summer With North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services: A Reflection on Public Service Law

Tavaria, a Black woman with black hair, wears a white shirt and black blazer.By Tavaria Smith 

This summer, I had the privilege of working with North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services (NCPLS), an organization committed to providing legal assistance to incarcerated individuals in North Carolina. My internship offered me a front-row seat to the criminal justice system, from observing court proceedings to directly engaging with clients and their families. This experience not only solidified my commitment to a career in public service law but also deepened my understanding of the challenges and rewards of advocating for those who are often voiceless.

Exploring the Work of NCPLS: Insight into Post-Conviction Advocacy

During my internship, I was involved in a range of activities that exposed me to the complexities of criminal defense and post-conviction advocacy. One of my key responsibilities was to assist with various post-conviction assignments, including the preparation of a mitigation packet. This involved reviewing case files, researching legal precedents, and drafting documents that could be used to argue for reduced sentences or other forms of relief for incarcerated clients. I also had the opportunity to observe court hearings and trials, which allowed me to see firsthand the legal strategies used by attorneys and the decision-making processes of judges.

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A Look Into My Internship With the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission

By Shane Murphy Shane, a man with black hair, wears a white shirt, black tie and black blazer.

Working as an intern at the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, I’ve had the unique opportunity to contribute to the critical work of investigating post-conviction claims of innocence. This experience has been both challenging and rewarding, offering insights into the complexities of the criminal justice system and the meticulous process of seeking truth and justice. This is the type of role that I believe is only possible in a public-sector position, where an agency like the Commission can operate on their charge without financial motives.

One of main responsibilities I had during my internship was assisting in the evaluation of innocence claims. This process is far more intricate and demanding than I initially imagined. Each claim requires a thorough, objective analysis that often involves sifting through mountains of documentation. When a new claim comes in, we would start by reviewing the initial application. This document provides an overview of the case and the basis for the innocence claim. From there, we dive into the case files, which include trial transcripts, police reports, forensic analyses, and any post-conviction filings.

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A Look Into My Internship With the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Office of General Counsel

Sadie, a white woman with light brown hair, wears a navy blue sleeveless dress. By Sadie Pruett 

After previously interning with the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs in the U.S. House of Representatives and with the Department of Defense, I have actively sought internships involving advocacy for veterans since 2020. Four years later and in my 1L year at Wake Forest Law, I took advantage of the opportunity to intern in the Office of General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

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A Look Into My Internship With the Alamance County Public Defender’s Office

Grant, a white man with brown hair, wears a grey shirt, black blazer and maroon, navy and pale grey tie.By Grant Gergen 

This past summer I spent my first summer as a law student interning at Alamance County’s newly opened public defender’s office. The reason I chose this opportunity truly began from my time in college and the long journey I took before entering law school. I began law school as somewhat of a non-traditional student, having graduated from undergraduate studies at the University of Florida in 2019. I spent the next fifteen months living in Ecuador as a teacher for the Peace Corps (unfortunately, cut short by the pandemic), after that, a year in Wyoming for AmeriCorps, then, two years of graduate school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and finally, choosing to attend law school at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

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A Look Into My Internship With the NCDOJ Medicaid Investigations Division

By Emily Jacobson Emily, a white woman with golden brown hair, wears a white shirt and black blazer.

I looked forward to my first summer for my entire 1L year. I frequently heard older students and mentors describe their first summers as the moment when all the pieces fell together. Heading into their second year of law school, they felt a deeper understanding and appreciation for the work they do while in school. Now, at the conclusion of my first summer and the early stages of my 2L year, I echo those sentiments.

I spent this summer interning with the North Carolina Department of Justice Medicaid Investigations Division. MID represents the interests of the citizens of North Carolina, particularly as they relate to the health care industry. The bulk of MID’s work involves investigating and prosecuting Medicaid fraud; they also handle patient abuse cases in Medicaid-funded facilities across North Carolina. MID’s work is critical for protecting the integrity of the Medicaid system and guarding state and federal funds from bad actors.

I was eager to work with MID and explore what I now know is an interesting, and often overlooked, area of law. My experience was enriching, and it allowed me to practice the skills I developed during my first year at Campbell Law. More importantly, however, this summer was the first chance I have had to engage in meaningful legal work for the benefit of my community. Since beginning law school, I have been eager to apply my developing legal skills in a practical and useful way. My internship with MID was an excellent opportunity to do so, and I am grateful I could spend my summer in this way.

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A Look Into My Internship With the Durham County Attorney’s Office

Alyson, a white woman with blond hair, wears a white shirt and teal blazer.By Alyson Hanlon 

This past summer I interned with the Durham County Attorneys who represent the Department of Social Services in the Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency (A/N/D) court. I spent time researching various legal, medical, and psychological issues. I was able to witness how collaborative the A/N/D court is, and how passionate each attorney is, in their representation of their parties.

My favorite research project was when I was able to research a medical disease that a child was allegedly diagnosed with. I had grown so used to researching legal problems, that I almost forgot that other research existed. I found researching medicine and diseases, and how that correlates with the legal system, extremely thought-provoking. In the A/N/D court, many of the attorneys need to become “mini” experts in medical problems, drugs, and other topics. This knowledge allows them to understand the facts from the cases more easily and come up with questions for the adjudication hearing. After spending time researching the disease I was assigned, I was able to talk with the attorneys about symptoms, and how to diagnose and treat them. This part of the research allowed the attorneys to recognize strengths and weaknesses in their argument. My research was a small part of one child’s case yet helped the attorneys further their understanding and strengthen their argument for trial.

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What is Condemnation Law in the Government and Public Sector?

Kayla, a woman with dark brown hair, wears a pale pink blouse, bright pink jacket, and gold fairy pin on the lapel.By Kayla Britt

Driving along the interstate, or within your county, you will notice construction projects from the installation of new bridges, widening roads, and more. Have you ever stopped to consider that those construction projects require attorneys – specifically, government and public sector attorneys?

The North Carolina General Assembly grants the Department of Transportation the power to acquire private land to create transportation infrastructure. This includes acquiring easements or fee simple title to land, and land improvements, as necessary for road construction, maintenance, and repair, or other transportation projects deemed appropriate. An acquisition of land by the state is most commonly known as eminent domain.

The North Carolina Department of Justice’s Condemnation Section represents the North Carolina Department of Transportation in such matters before North Carolina Superior Courts. Condemnation proceedings are instituted by the Department of Transportation’s filing of a Complaint and Declaration of Taking. Upon those filings, along with filing a “deposit,” which is a sum estimated by the Department of Transportation to be just compensation, title to the property and the right to immediate possession vests in the Department of Transportation. The landowner has twelve months to file an Answer. If they do not, then the deposit is deemed to have been accepted as just compensation and a final judgment may be entered. If an Answer is filed, then the deposit amount is in dispute, and the case may be negotiated, mediated, and/or litigated.

You can learn more about the condemnation powers granted to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Understand the Right of Way Process by accessing this guide.

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How Attorneys Can Become Notaries

Chazle, a Black woman with black hair and auburn highlights, wears a blue suit and blazer and a pearl necklace.By Chazlé Woodley

Greetings!

As a licensed attorney, I can confidently say that you will at some point deal with documents in your line of work, whether you are in litigation or do transactional work, or whether you are in public service or in the private sector.

Furthermore, aside from work, let’s not forget about the family members and friends, or even a stranger, who may need something notarized and would love to utilize your services as an attorney, notary or both. Thus, I strongly recommend that you become a notary.

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Professionalism and Civility

Kayla, a woman with dark brown hair, wears a pale pink blouse, bright pink jacket, and gold fairy pin on the lapel.By Kayla Britt

During the 2023-2024 bar year, North Carolina Bar Association’s Past President Patti Ramseur designated the theme of the bar year as “Professionalism and Civility.” In honor of this theme, I created the #FairyLawMother Reflective Series where I collected and shared responses from various professionals within the North Carolina Bar on what “Professionalism and Civility” means to them. Below is a compilation of those responses.

This bar year, North Carolina Bar Association President Kim Stogner continues the challenge for us all to engage in “Professionalism and Civility.”

What does “professionalism and civility” mean to you as a lawyer?

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Welcome to the 2024-2025 Government & Public Sector Bar Year!

By Skye David Skye, a white woman with blond hair, wears a navy blue blouse and silver necklace.

Welcome to another great bar year, GPS Members!

It is my honor to serve as the Chair for our section this year. If we have not met, I am Skye David, and I am a lobbyist for New Frame Inc., and the staff attorney for the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault. I travel North Carolina for Title IX cases, and I can also be found hanging around the legislature. I’ve been in North Carolina for 11 years, moving here to attend law school at UNC after completing my undergrad at the University of Illinois.

As we look to the year ahead, I would like to introduce you to our officers and apprise you of our meeting times and dates.

Officers for this year are:

Chair Skye David

Vice-Chair Jasmine McGhee

Secretary Matt Pentz

Treasurer Kayla Britt

Council Meetings This Year will be held:

Thursday, September 5, 2024 | 11 a.m.

Thursday, November 7, 2024 | 11 a.m.

Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 11 a.m.

Thursday, April 24, 2025 | 11 a.m.

GPS CLE Programs on the calendar: 

Friday, November 15, 2024 | The Public Records Act

I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and to those who came before me and encouraged me to get involved with the Bar Association. I would love to hear from section members, so please reach out to me with any suggestions, comments, or concerns. You can reach me by email at [email protected] or [email protected]. Also, I live in Raleigh and am available to meet in the general area as well. I look forward to connecting with you this year!

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