Planting Seeds in the Desert: Interviews With Legal Oasis Interns (Part 3)

By Jimbo Perry

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 third post in this series is an interview of Jessica Hughes, a rising 2L at The Kenneth F. Kahn School of Law at High Point University. Jessica spent the first half of this summer working as a Judicial Intern in District Court in the 33rd Judicial District (Davidson and Davie counties). She currently is a Judicial Intern for Judge April Wood, North Carolina Court of Appeals.

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.

Jessica Hughes

Where were you raised?

I was born and raised in Thomasville, North Carolina, which is located in Davidson County.

What was your path to law school?

I originally went to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with plans to become a pharmacist. During my freshman year, I took a political science class and quickly fell in love with learning about law, government and how both impact people’s everyday lives. Not long after that, I changed my major and started pursuing the path that eventually led me to law school.

Why did you go to law school?

I went to law school because I have a passion for advocating for children involved in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. While I was in undergrad, my aunt and uncle began fostering two young girls. Getting to know them and hearing their stories opened my eyes to the serious gaps in those systems. That experience helped me realize that I wanted to become an advocate and a voice for children and families who often feel unheard.

When you went to law school, did you have any intention of returning to your home community?

Absolutely. My family has lived in Davidson County for more than five generations, and I have built my own roots here with my wonderful husband. We purchased our first home together in 2022, and this community has always been home to me. Davidson County poured into me as a child, and I want to spend my legal career pouring back into the people and future generations who come from this community.

What is it like interviewing for summer internships in a smaller community?

For me, I was fortunate to have a few connections with judges and attorneys in the area. I was able to connect with the Chief District Court Judge for Davidson County, who actually remembered me from an interview I had with him during my gap year between undergrad and law school. At the same time, it was more challenging to find firms in a smaller town that were willing or able to take summer interns. In a smaller legal community, relationships and reputation matter a lot.

What are you doing this summer?

For the first half of my summer, I am working as a Judicial Intern with the 33rd District Court, which serves Davidson and Davie Counties. During the second half of the summer, I will be a Judicial Intern for Judge April Wood at the North Carolina Court of Appeals, who also happens to be a Davidson County native.

Share what your experience has been like this summer.

This experience has been nothing short of amazing. Working in Davidson County District Court has opened my eyes to the many facets of the justice system in a smaller community, as well as some of the challenges people face when trying to navigate it. Davidson County does not currently have a public defender’s office, and there are limited resources for individuals who need affordable civil legal help. At the same time, I have seen a group of judges, attorneys and court staff who know this community and are committed to serving Davidson and Davie Counties well.

I have had the opportunity to see what happens behind the bench at the local level, learn more about courtroom procedure, and observe how collaboration between judges, attorneys, clerks and court staff can impact each individual case. It has given me a deeper appreciation for the role local courts play in people’s lives.

Do you have some idea as to what type of law you eventually would like to practice?

I am very drawn to family law, especially work involving children and families. I am also interested in eventually working as a Guardian ad Litem attorney.

Why are you drawn toward that type of practice?

I am drawn to family law because it is deeply personal and requires attorneys to approach each case with both strategy and compassion. These cases often involve people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and I think there is real purpose in helping them navigate those situations.

My heart, however, is especially drawn to advocating for children in the foster care system. I cannot think of a better way to serve those children than by representing their best interests in the courtroom. Guardian ad Litem attorneys have an incredibly important role, especially at the local level. The GAL attorney in Davidson County has been a wonderful example of what strong, compassionate advocacy for children can look like.

What are your long-term future hopes and dreams for your law practice and for living in a smaller community?

My long-term hope is to eventually open my own law practice where I can provide affordable or income-based civil legal services to individuals in Davidson County. Davidson County is a largely rural community, and I have seen firsthand how difficult it can be for people to afford an attorney when they need help.

Through my personal experiences, conversations with family and friends, and time observing civil and domestic violence court, I have realized there is a strong need for affordable civil legal services in this area. My dream is to build a practice that allows me to serve my home community in a meaningful way while helping people feel supported, heard and advocated for.