The Drum Major

This summer I worked with MidPenn Legal Services in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. MidPenn Legal Services provides free legal service to low-income individuals. Some of my duties included handling child custody cases, preparing and handling D divorces, preparing Chapter 7 bankruptcy petitions, preparing clients for court, assisting and negotiating Protection From Abuse complaints, advising clients on landlord/tenant problems including what evidence to take to court, and serving as interpreter for non-English speaking clients.

I was also certified to conduct hearings. However, my first child custody case was a total nightmare. After an extensive conversation with a particular client who dictated what she wanted the custody order should say, she was still not happy; even though she got everything she wanted n a temporary order. As such, I have quickly learned how unsatisfied and unpredictable clients can be. Therefore, I have learned a valuable lesson in making sure to keep more detailed and accurate notes.

But not all clients were ungrateful. I had a client who wanted to cook lunch for me just because I took the time to make a call on her behalf regarding a student loan debt. These types of clients who appreciate the hard work we do on their behalf is what makes this job satisfying.

Nevertheless, my public interest experience has been educationally enlightening. I had always stereotyped indigent people needing free legal services to be non-working people, who were able to handle their own legal difficulties but instead just wanted someone else to fight their battles for them. I had also stereotyped the attorneys that worked for legal aid as providing the bare minimum assistance possible due to their caseload. As such, I had hoped that if I worked in the legal field that I could make a difference; that is, to teach those who can do for themselves to do so and to provide those who really need help the best legal representation as possible.

However, as I worked at MidPenn this summer, I learned how wrong I was. Not all the clients we serviced were non-working and their legal problems were genuine. Moreover, the attorneys worked diligently to provide the best possible legal assistance. If we could not provide assistance, then we would set up the client with either a Pro-bono attorney or refer them to a private attorney. In addition, even though MidPenn could not represent some clients in custody cases, we would nevertheless draw up custody agreements for the clients to represent themselves. We would also guide them in the legal process and give them advice on what to do for court and what evidence to bring. And it would be wonderful when they would call and say that they did what we advised and they won their case. Therefore, my experience at MidPenn Legal Services was not only enlightening, but also taught me that I can make a great difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate. I also learned that what I viewed as a simple legal problem was indeed a major legal problem to them. As such, they are entitled to the best legal representation possible and I know from working at MidPenn that I can provide such legal aid in the future.