Nine Summer Associates joined Community Legal Aid this summer, learning valuable skills while also lending a hand with research and casework for our attorneys.
The law students were spread out among our four offices. They visited local courts and heard from judges and court officials at Youngstown Municipal Court, Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas, Trumbull County Family Court, Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas, Summit County Court of Common Pleas, Seventh District Court of Appeals and Ninth District Court of Appeals.
Here are this year’s Summer Associates and their law schools:
- Tyler Church, Case Western Reserve University
- Mingyu Dong, Case Western Reserve University
- Mallory Dunlap, Case Western Reserve University
- Jessica Galati, University of Akron
- Joshua Katz, Cleveland State University
- Analise Miranda, University of Akron
- Madison Serrano, Case Western Reserve University
- Nick Steel, University of Akron
- Brooke Taylor, University of Akron
Several of the associates shared their thoughts on their experience.
Joshua Katz
“The most important takeaway from my summer at Community Legal Aid was getting to work deeply and collaboratively not only with attorneys and legal staff, but also with community organizers, social workers, policy makers, and people from all different walks of life brought together by one purpose: to serve and improve their communities. The legal work that Community Legal Aid does is inspiring, but it is only one aspect of how CLA and LSC practices engage with the broader world to try to materially improve real people's lives.”
Mallory Dunlap
“The legal system acts as a barrier for many, but Community Legal Aid helps individuals overcome these hurdles. Community Legal Aid empowers people to use the law to support their needs.I have valued the outreach I have done in Canton For All People and the Akron-Canton Food Bank, bringing the law to people who need its support.”
Jessica Galati
“As my time as a Summer Associate at Community Legal Aid comes to an end, I can't help but reflect on how grateful I am for this incredible experience.
“This summer has provided me with invaluable knowledge, hands-on experience, and countless opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. I have been honored to serve our community, advocate for tenants, and help individuals navigate difficult legal challenges. Being able to make even a small difference in someone's life has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
“I am especially thankful for the unwavering support, guidance, and mentorship from my supervising attorneys. Especially Attorney Jasmine Oesterling. Your patience, encouragement, and willingness to teach have helped shape me into a more confident future attorney. Thank you for trusting me, challenging me, and investing in my growth.
“Community Legal Aid has reinforced why I chose to pursue a career in public interest law. I leave this summer with new skills, lasting memories, and an even greater passion for serving my community.
“Thank you to everyone who made this experience so meaningful. I can't wait to see where this journey takes me next!”
Tyler Church
"Working at Community Legal Aid has given me two opportunities that I deem to be extremely valuable. First, the various tasks, including researching cases, meeting with clients alongside attorneys and paralegals, and observing court hearings and trials, have allowed me to learn valuable information in a hands-on manner in contrast to the classroom-based education given at my law school. Second, working at Community Legal Aid has allowed me to directly assist those who are vulnerable and in need within the communities of Youngstown and Warren.
Mingyu Dong
“Having a purpose-driven law school journey has always mattered to me, and working at Community Legal Aid has allowed me to observe and take part in the ways to achieve many of the purposes I had in mind when I entered law school. Among these purposes, helping people, especially those in underprivileged communities, relieve their financial distress has always been my top priority. I am grateful for having had the chance to use my skills assisting attorneys and legal staff in pursuit of that priority.”
Nick Steel
“Community Legal Aid has given me the direction I needed to guide my legal career through its excellent staff and commitment to making a change in our local community. I am very glad to have worked here.”
Analise Miranda
“My time at Community Legal Aid has been such a valuable, hands-on learning experience. I’ve had the opportunity to strengthen my legal research, writing, and advocacy skills while working on meaningful issues that directly impact the community. I’m especially grateful for how committed the staff is to mentoring interns and helping us grow into confident, compassionate, and well-rounded legal professionals.”
Applications typically open in spring for that year's Summer Associates. Click here for more information.