Name:Rehman Liaqat
Internship, Co-op or Research Site:Maryland Office of the Public Defender
Position Title:Legal Intern
Major(s)/Minor(s):Political Science and Global Studies
Current Class Level:Sophomore
Work Term:Summer 2020
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
Interning at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender included insight into many fields of legal proceedings that I had never witnessed. My daily routine consists of shadowing licensed Public Defenders in their daily dockets (3 dockets a day 10-20 cases per docket), filing, case-briefing, and also researching. One of the main projects I helped lead was the Maryland Police Project which focused on how police misconduct is treated in different parts of Maryland along with enforcing legislation which demands for accountability for any form of misconduct such as evidence tampering and police brutality. I was a fish swimming in a whole new body of water yet I never felt so connected and at home because of how much I valued our day-to-day work serving the public.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
As COVID-19 erupted, it became almost impossible to obtain any legal internships as Maryland courts remained closed till mid-summer. However, I began emailing and calling and keeping in touch with many of my supervisors from the beginning of spring semester and was given the chance to work on virtual projects till courts reopened and as my own supervisor said it herself when she had to make the difficult decision to only appoint one intern for the summer, "your persistence got you where you are today".
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
Along with the conversations and the people I've met and have had the chance to make a difference in their lives, I think the most valuable part about my ability to intern this summer was the sense of ambition that I began to endure, fueled by the passion I experienced when helping individuals through some of their darkest times. It is truly a moment of enlightenment that never seems to go away.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
Whenever I get asked this question, I also think about the boy in the "Starfish Story" (an incredible read btw)! Shadowing the Public Defenders, we saw over 20 clients a day whether it was through traffic violations or assault cases or juvenile court. We cannot magically make the world a better place or get rid of all wrongs, instead, we do as much good as we can and make a difference in the lives of as many starfish as we can. I believe that public defenders help individuals get through some of the darkest times of their lives and I truly felt like I made a difference being a part of the team!
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
I would recommend exposing yourself to such experiences early. I changed my major my first year at UMBC, mostly through the people I've met and the experiences I've had, but it was because of my exposure to the field that I truly believed I could make a difference. It helped me find my sense of resilience and ambition and Grit, True Grit in the things I feel passionate for.
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