I was a very timid law student.  Despite the good grades I earned during my first two years at NESL, I still dreaded being randomly called on in class, and I felt insecure about my future work with real clients.  As a self-help measure, I made a commitment at the end of my second year to take advantage of NESL’s clinical program.  During the fall semester of my final year, I registered for the Administrative Law Clinic.  I was able to choose my placement at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs.  I worked directly with the General Counsel and completed several research and writing projects concerning long-term care regulation, which helped me gain confidence in my analytical and memo-drafting skills. 

However, I still had not dealt with my anxiety about representing real clients with real problems.  So, for my final semester, I registered for the Lawyering Process Clinic.  I, again, chose my placement in the area of Elder Law, this time with the Elder Unit at Greater Boston Legal Services.  I helped indigent elders appeal the denial or termination of their MassHealth and Social Security benefits.  Daily, I was on the phone with clients, writing letters to clients, or meeting them in-person.  My fears about client contact soon subsided.  I even got the opportunity to argue a case before an Administrative Law Judge.    

I am very happy that I chose to do clinical work during my time at NESL.  Not only have I put those experiences on my resume, but I gained the confidence that I will need for my future career.  My only regret is not taking advantage of NESL’s clinical program sooner. 

(May 2008)