A Look Into My Internship With the Durham County Attorney’s Office
By 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.
Some things I learned working in the County Attorney’s office is that to be successful means asking for help and collaborating with your colleagues. While each DSS Attorney was assigned specific cases, many times they leaned on one another to gain information or ask for advice. It was one of the most collaborative work environments I have witnessed. I could also tell that they cared for each other and prioritized their mental health. A/N/D is intense and sad at times, which is why the attorneys who work in that courtroom have found ways to ensure they are protecting themselves from the hard content. Some advice I was given was to make sure I set time aside for family and hobbies. Many of the attorneys in the office turn their work phones and emails off at a certain time and do not turn them on until they are needed again. This creates a boundary that allows them to not take work home. Some other advice I was given was to make sure I was passionate about this area of law before entering it because many times people burn out.
I also learned that the attorneys work closely with Social Services. They meet with them regularly to go over new policies and try to improve the way the system runs. Many of the attorneys are active in programs that Social Services is working to implement, to provide better resources for the community. This goes along with the judges in the A/N/D court. The judges want to know Social Services policies better so they can make more informed decisions in the court. While the two judges I was able to observe operated their courtrooms differently, both pursued the best interest of the child. The judges often took the time to talk to the children and get to know them and their hobbies, then used this knowledge in deciding a placement. This was interesting to me because it showed that the children had a voice in the decision for their placements.
The largest thing I recognized was the number of cases in the A/N/D court. The number of children in the system is significant. The attorneys who work for DSS, GAL, and court-assigned attorneys for parents/guardians are doing everything in their capability to promote the best interest of the child. Each day, each attorney deals with many cases that have starkly different facts. Their experience and knowledge of this area of law is what makes them great at their jobs.
This internship advanced my career goals because it allowed me to dive deep into my interests and see if this was an area of law I would like to practice in. I was able to see what a day in the life of a County Attorney is and how a new attorney acclimates to the office. While this may seem minute, it is something that many law students think about and worry about – how to adjust from being a law student to a lawyer or settling in as a new lawyer at a new office.
I have discovered that A/N/D is an intriguing and ever-growing area of law that I would like to practice in one day. The passion that the lawyers have for their clients, and how they can separate feelings from the law is incredible. While it is a heavy content area, I am glad I experienced it now, to prepare myself. I specifically have an interest in working as a DSS Attorney or a GAL Attorney as these two can advocate for the child in court proceedings. They are often seen working together and advocating for the same thing. I have a passion for advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves and want to work with children in the system. So, by working in the A/N/D area of law, I have identified a career that merges my passions.
The advice I would give to people who want to intern in the government or public sector field is to make connections and continue developing them. Many lawyers who work in the government or public sector field do so because they have a passion for their job. By meeting others in the field, you can talk with others about not only job interests but also passions founded in values. In doing so, you can find a mentor for your legal career. I plan on remaining connected to all the attorneys I worked with this summer and returning to this area of law. I would also advise someone interested in a government internship to meet with professionals in that area in advance and ask questions. This allows you to think about the content of the internship and what you will be dealing with. I am glad I did this myself because I think I would have been shocked at the intensity of A/N/D if I had not.
Overall, I am grateful for the experience and knowledge I gained at my internship. It has built my confidence as a law student and affirmed my decision to pursue a career in the public sector, specifically working alongside Social Services.
Alyson Hanlon is a second-year law student at Elon University School of Law. This year, the NCBA’s Government & Public Sector Section partnered with the Zoning, Planning, & Land Use Section and the Criminal Justice Section to provide joint scholarships to law students who show demonstrated interest in public service and who work in an unpaid summer internship in a federal, state, or local government office in North Carolina. Hanlon received a $1,200 scholarship to support her internship with the Durham County Attorney’s Office in summer 2024.