BBA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Summer Fellowship: End of Summer Reflections 2026

“This internship allowed me to see environmental law in practice, learn from attorneys doing this work every day, and better understand the amount of research, collaboration, and careful decision-making that goes into the work of a state environmental agency.”
— Jewel Crouch (Suffolk University School of Law), Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of General Counsel

“The internship was certainly challenging, but most importantly, it was inspiring; almost every day brought a new experience, whether through hands-on learning or by observing CPCS public defenders zealously advocate on behalf of their clients. In my time at CPCS, every public defender I met was friendly and welcoming. They answered all my questions and helped me figure out where to go when I inevitably got lost in one of the courthouses or at the office.”
— Darrell Ikelle (Suffolk University School of Law), Committee for Public Counsel Services-Roxbury Office in the Youth Advocacy Division

“My summer with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts changed the way I think about both bankruptcy law and, more broadly, what it means to make an impact through legal work. Working in a judge’s chambers gave me an up-close view of how decisions are made and how much careful analysis goes into what ultimately appears in an opinion.”
— Blerta Ismajli (New England Law | Boston), U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts

“I am also grateful for the mentorship that I received from the judges, clerks, and staff attorneys throughout the summer. The Court’s brown bag lunches provided opportunities to learn about different career paths within the legal profession and helped me think more intentionally about the lawyer I hope to become.”
— Leena Khurana (Boston University School of Law), Massachusetts Appeals Court

“This internship has influenced the trajectory of my career because it has given me clarity and direction. Before this internship, I was looking into more general classes like Real Estate, Wills, Trusts, and Estates, Fair Housing, and Health Law. After this internship, I’m approaching law school with the intent of preparing myself to practice criminal law, taking classes like Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Immigration Law, Housing Law, Trial Practice, and the Public Interest Law Clinic. This internship has reinvigorated me to approach the rest of my law school career with a pointed focus rather than still trying to find my way.”
— Tylan Mendes (New England Law | Boston), Committee for Public Counsel Service’s Youth Advocacy Division

“My time as a BBA DEIB Fellow at the CSC allowed me to develop critical legal research and writing skills that will undoubtedly be useful throughout the rest of law school and my legal career. More importantly, it provided me with a cohort of like-minded law students and a wealth of professional guidance. I am extremely grateful to the CSC and the BBA for the opportunity to be part of this summer experience.”
— Jack Moses (Boston University School of Law), Massachusetts Civil Service Commission

“The fellowship…reinforced the kind of lawyer I hope to become: one who approaches legal work with curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to public service. Just as importantly, some of my favorite moments this summer came from getting to know the other DEIB Fellows and learning about their experiences in different legal settings. The relationships I built through the fellowship reminded me that a legal career is not only about the work we do, but also about the people we learn from and the communities we hope to serve.”
— Khanh “Jerry” Nguyen (Boston University School of Law), Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office

“This fellowship has…instilled in me the importance of creating a more diverse and inclusive legal workplace where all voices are heard, respected, and valued. I hope to carry this lesson into my legal education and future career by advocating for individuals who may struggle to navigate complex legal processes or feel that their voices are not being heard.”
— Veronica Polanco (Suffolk University School of Law), Office of the General Counsel at the Department of Children and Families

“One of the projects I was particularly proud of was my Open Meeting Law research….My analysis had to account for how the law actually operates within a government agency and provide useful guidance for attorneys making real decisions. I learned to think beyond identifying the governing rule and to ask how that rule applies to the particular structure, responsibilities, and day-to-day operations of an agency. That experience strengthened both my research skills and my appreciation for the responsibility that comes with giving legal advice.”
— Aashaya Rajbhandari (Boston University School of Law), Office of the General Counsel at the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General

“This summer, I had the privilege of spending ten weeks as a Legal Intern with the City of Boston Law Department. When I started in May, I had little to no understanding of municipal law, the immense responsibilities of in-house counsel, or the interplay among municipal, state, and federal law. Throughout the summer, I truly felt like a sponge, absorbing more than I can recount not only about municipal law and government, but also what it means to practice law.”
— Dave Sainte-Luce (Boston College Law School), City of Boston Law Department