At FILS, I was lucky to have many opportunities to explore my interests and expand my outlook by focusing on prisoners, a group that society so often forgets about and sometimes purposely ignores.  When asked, by family or classmates, what benefit I saw to society by “defending convicts and criminals,” I used their criticism as an opportunity to inform them about a few of the major problems faced by inmates. I made sure to stress that it may be prudent to rethink our beliefs about judging people’s worth as human beings based on one mistake or lapse in judgment.

Meeting prisoners and attempting to help them with their problems (including allegations of overcrowded conditions, prolonged solitary confinement over minor disciplinary infractions, problems with prison officials, fights with other prisoners, and lack of basic, necessary medical care to name a few) was a powerful balancing force on my conscience and a constant reminder to stop making assumptions about people based on the crimes for which they were convicted.  During my time working at FILS, I had the opportunity to interview several inmates and travel across the state to visit them at their institutions.  The exposure to the inmates, our clients, in the prison environment offered a clearer understanding of the bigger picture and the subtleties of prison society.  I quickly came to the realization that the prison walls encased a completely alternate reality from the one I was accustomed to.

I was able to help with current litigation by performing legal research on varied topics. A few research subjects involved complex federal legislation like the Prison Litigation Reform Act; Section 1983 Claims against state officials; Bivens actions against federal officials; and the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (which severely limits inmates’ Constitutional claims against prison officials via habeas corpus petition).  I got to apply what I learned in Constitutional Law and Federal Courts classes, combining the real-world approach to bring perspective to issues covered in law school classes.

I’m extremely thankful for the experience I gained during my time at FILS and the mentorship of the firm’s attorneys and staff.   My fellowship cemented my commitment to practice public interest law at the first possible opportunity upon graduation.  Eventually, I want to start my own non-profit organization that provides a one-stop-shop for legal, medical/mental health, substance abuse and social work services of poverty-stricken Americans.  My time at FILS gave me a first-hand glimpse at the workings of race, class and gender divisions among incarcerated populations. It also was important to expand my view on the effects that one person’s incarceration has on those around them – loved ones, job prospects and friends — as well.

Nicole Safker is a 2011-12 Public Interest Law Fellow.  The Public Interest Law Fellowship Program is funded by the Florida Bar Foundation to promote public interest law, and offered at the Levin College of Law by the Center for Governmental Responsibility.

• Dominique McPherson
• Nicole Safker
• Yvette Ceandreas Wiltshire

“Public service is a core value at the Levin College of Law, and it has been at the heart of our mission for decades. Preparing our students to serve not only their clients but also the justice system and the public consistently with the highest ethical standards and ideals of the legal profession is an indispensable part of providing students with a well-rounded legal education.” —UF Levin College of Law Dean Robert H. Jerry

Living and working in a smaller, more rural community creates challenges for students with finding public interest law placements. Yet, UF Law students and faculty are nonetheless immersed in the legal work of our state and local community. UF Law’s Pro Bono Project gives students the opportunity to perform valuable community service, learn about the legal needs of traditionally underserved groups, and gain practical legal experience. Since 2009, UF Law students have donated some 25,676 hours of pro bono work. The Joseph W. Little Pro Bono Support Fund reimburses students for reasonable travel and office expenses associated with completing pro bono work. Moreover, UF Law’s various fellowship programs also support student placement at government agencies and non-profit, public interest organizations. Such fellowship programs include the Center for Governmental Responsibility’s Public Interest Law Fellowship (funded by The Florida Bar Foundation) and the Center for the Study of Race and Race Relations’ Yegelwel Fellowship.

Students have the opportunity to participate in several criminal or civil clinics, representing indigent clients, non-profits or public entities. One such clinic, theIntimate Partner Violence Assistance Clinic, is breaking new ground nationally by collaborating with the UF College of Medicine, Shands Teaching Hospital and local non-profit Peaceful Paths Domestic Abuse Network, providing low-income victims of intimate partner violence with comprehensive legal, medical and social services. Additionally, UF Law’s new Criminal Justice Certificate Program provides academic advising, mentorship, area-specific education, and detailed criminal-practice training for students dedicated to a career in public service in criminal law. In addition to the clinics, students have access to a variety of externships at courts, local governments, state and federal agencies and elsewhere, most of which focus on some aspect of public interest law.

Students also work with local groups to assist in: restoring the civil rights of convicted felons; providing volunteer low-income tax assistance; and conducting research for theFlorida Innocence Commission, which is advising the Florida Supreme Court on reducing wrongful convictions. Moreover, the Association for Public Interest Law, the Center for Career Development, The Florida Bar Foundation Public Interest Law Fellows at the Center for Governmental Responsibility, the Environmental and Land Use Law Society and other student organizations promote public interest law on campus by bringing in speakers, hosting conferences, connecting students with public interest law resources, and raising awareness through events such as the Public Interest Law Week. Students and faculty at UF Law recognize the importance of public service and work to carry out public interest and pro bono work statewide.

This article was submitted to the White House as part of the ‘Champions of Change’ event Oct. 13. The blog article will be posted online by the White House.