Summer Pathway Programs at LLS Clinics Aims to Increase Legal Pipeline
This summer, Loyola's Project for the Innocent (LPI), the only law school wrongful conviction clinic dedicated to serving Los Angeles County, welcomed students from across the country to engage in hands-on legal casework. LPI's summer internship offers high school, college, and law students an opportunity to gain practical legal experience working on real innocence cases under the supervision of a licensed attorney.
LPI intern Kirby Kimball, a senior at Claremont McKenna College was drawn to the legal internship because of LPI's mission. "During my interview with Joe Trigilio, LPI’s Executive Director, I couldn’t stop smiling. It felt more like an empowering conversation than a formal review," Kirby recalled. "LPI's emphasis on empathy and learning hooked me. They treat incarcerated individuals with respect, even when they can't formally represent them."
Kimball highlighted the challenges of navigating the incarceration system, calling it "intentionally complex," and noting the significant effort required to secure legal visits and obtain necessary files for discovery. Despite the obstacles she’s faced collecting case information, she says she is endlessly inspired by the knowledge and passion of LPI clients to uncover the truth. "The clients are the best experts on their own cases. Their dedication and insights often provide us with fresh ideas crucial to our work," she said.
Kimball says this summer internship has shed light on the ways California's justice system criminalizes mental illness. "The incarceration system often acts as a holding cell for the mentally ill, exacerbating their struggles. Working at LPI has opened my eyes to the overwhelming criminalization of mental illness," she stated.
Lauren Fox, a junior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, describes the skills she's gained during her legal internship as "invaluable."
"I discovered how impactful this opportunity could be, not only for my education but also for those in need," Lauren said. This summer, she worked on two wrongful conviction cases, focusing on screening and investigating evidence. Her responsibilities ranged from reviewing legal documents to attending witness interviews and visiting clients in prison.
"I've gained confidence in interviewing clients and witnesses, and I've learned a lot about the legal process in wrongful conviction cases," she shared. Fox also expressed her awareness of the shortcomings in the legal system and her desire to combat these injustices.
The experience has solidified Lauren's interest in pursuing a legal career. "Working at LPI has made the legal profession feel much more attainable," she said. Lauren praised her supervisors, LPI Executive Director Joe Trigilio and LPI Senior Program Director Adam Grant, for their mentorship and support. "They've motivated me to one day do work making a lasting impact on individuals and the legal system," she concluded.
