Cancer Legal Resource Center
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Externships
CLRC students go on to work at major law firms, boutique firms, government agencies, public interest programs, and open their own law offices. Here is what some of our students have said about working at the CLRC:
"Working at the CLRC was an emotional, but rewarding experience. Being a willing listener to many of the callers was almost as important as any information we passed on. Many people were frustrated with their experiences with past organizations, and the CLRC was able to return phone calls and help as much as we possibly could."
“I initially decided to extern at the CLRC to help navigate their way through what I know to be very difficult times. In the beginning, I thought it would be me doing all the advising and giving. Now, I realize that I have learned more from the callers about law and life than I ever would have, had I not externed with the Center.”
2011 Summer Law Clerks and Undergraduate Volunteer Testimonials
This summer, the CLRC had 16 amazing students working for the organization. These law clerks, externs, and volunteers worked tirelessly on the Telephone Assistance Line. They also did research for the organization, examining everything from cancer legislation to insurance appeals and resources for cancer patients in various geographic areas to Medicaid. Here are a few of the lessons that the students learned from the experience and our callers over their time here at the CLRC:
I expected to get a well-rounded experience at the CLRC, but my experience has surpassed my expectations. My supervising attorneys made conducting legal research a collaborative process. They made themselves approachable and helped me further develop my issue spotting skills in a professional setting. The number of different areas of law I was exposed to also amazed me. Thanks to the CLRC, I feel more prepared to take on the challenges of a legal career. It was really a privilege to serve the cancer community. I felt a sense of accomplishment every time I knew a caller felt better after speaking with me about their legal related issues. This was the first time I saw the law being used as a positive and transformative tool to help individuals, who would otherwise have no other alternative. – Lizbeth Najera (Santa Clara University '13)
Most of us—particularly those of us interested in the public sector of legal services--come to law school in order to help people obtain access to legal services and realize justice. However, through most of our first years, these notions are vague and abstracted; we’re not sure who we’ll be helping, what issues we’ll be helping with, or how we could even help. I believe that the considerable client interaction that the CLRC has allowed us has given each of us a deeper, truer understanding of how the law affects real people—for good and for ill. Some of the legal struggles we’ve heard from clients have been devastating. But we’ll each remember the stories of clients we’ve counseled as we struggle through the rest of law school, through job interviews, through the bar exam. We’ll remember that there are real people who need information about the law and access to legal services, and we’ll remember that providing justice is more than an abstract concept and that providing help is more than a vague notion. –Ross Rinehart (University of Southern California '13)
One of the harder aspects of working in the cancer community has been discovering and having to explain to callers that resources are finite and imperfect and that existing laws do not always protect them depending on the details of their situation. It is particularly hard when callers expect us to offer them solutions but there just aren't any. A more fulfilling aspect is speaking with callers who are very determined to enforce their rights and have already begun some research and advocated on their own behalf. It is very rewarding to be enlisted as a resource by people who are so dedicated to survival in every sense. – Sarah Gross (Loyola Law School '13)
The experiences I will take away from the CLRC are not only the legal skills I gained, but also the wealth of knowledge about various laws affecting the cancer community. More importantly, I will definitely remember the stories of the callers. It was their stories that made the work I did at the CLRC matter. Working in the cancer community is hard at times because you are dealing with individuals who are going through one of the most difficult times in their life. I think the hardest part for me was not actually talking to the cancer patients themselves, but to their friends or relatives who were just scrambling to get their friend, sibling, or child some help. It was the sense of helplessness that some of these callers felt that I identified with. However, when you do find help for that person, even if it was a phone number or a website, that is definitely one of the most fulfilling aspects of being at the CLRC. There are few jobs out there when you actually feel like you are making an impact on someone and the CLRC definitely impacts people everyday. – Cheryl Banares (Loyola Law School '13)
I think the hardest aspect of working within the cancer community has also been the most rewarding. We are, in some small way, entering these peoples’ lives and hoping to make a difference. It’s difficult to ignore the terrible circumstances some are in, but at the same time its nice to know our small contribution can make a huge difference in someone's life. – Sarah Pavlock (Loyola Law School '13)
One of the hardest aspects of working in the cancer community is hearing the heart-wrenching stories of individuals and families whose lives have been turned upside down after a cancer diagnosis. Giving them resources and helping to explain laws that pertain to their situation is very fulfilling because we are helping them find answers and solve their legal issues so they can focus on their health and their families. I have also found that it is equally fulfilling to know that we often become part of their support system in the fight against cancer and even if we stay on the phone for a little longer to just chat or let them vent, that can sometimes be just as helpful as the resources we give them. – Marissa Buck(Loyola Law School '13)
My favorite experience has been working with people one and one to find resolutions for their problems. It's always hard to speak with someone on the phone and give them information they don't want to hear, but more frequently I can point people towards resources and laws that can improve or clarify their situation. – Garrett Lindsey (University of Southern California '13)
I cannot imagine how hard it is for people going through treatment and trying to get through their cancer diagnosis to also have to deal with the legal issues that are that can come with that diagnosis. I will take away a better understanding of what people go through, and I am glad that we can help people at least deal with the legal aspects of the illness. – Rachael Lavi (Pepperdine University '13)
One experience I will take with me is the gratitude of so many callers for any help navigating the convoluted healthcare system. It's a sincere reminder that, someday, it could be me on the other end of the phone line. Another is how so many people are unaware of their rights and obligations in relation to cancer. Laws that are meant to help people are somewhat ineffective if they are too obscure to raise awareness or too complex to understand. – Darcy Elgin (University of Arizona '12)
One of the things I loved most about working at the CLRC was the environment--it was a very familial environment and I truly felt like I was part of a team, and we always had the same goal in mind, to help our callers. For the first time I can truly say I had a great work experience where not only were my colleagues wonderful to work with, but I have never had supervisors who were so patient, attentive and always willing to sit down with us and help with any issues or questions we had to better our work. – Tammy Chang (Loyola Law School '13)
A lot of people with cancer call us when they're feeling completely overwhelmed, and some feel alone in their struggles. Sometimes we can help people, and some people are put in situations they can't change even with our assistance. It's rewarding to give our callers a concrete explanation of their rights during a time of uncertainty, and to reassure them that they're not alone in the process. – Kelly Nugent (Loyola Law School '13)
As the legislative advocacy intern at the CLRC, I have learned how to sharpen my writing skills so that the CLRC may get legislators in all levels of government to support pieces of legislation that will positively affect the cancer and disability communities. By supporting such legislation, I hope that we can help close the gap and stop discrimination. – Elizabeth Urena (Wheaton College, BA)
There is a long list of experiences that I will take away with me from my time at the CLRC; not the least of which coming from my more difficult calls on the Telephone Assistance Line. On a number of occasions I have found myself on the phone with people who truly need our help and the legal resources we can provide. However I have found that many times simply listening to their stories and issues can provide them with far more comfort than any information on laws and resources. The lessons I have learned from the many stories of struggle and perseverance, will definitely serve as the greatest memory of my time in the CLRC. – Julian Lean (University of Southern California '13)
I really enjoyed working on the telephone assistance line. Not only did I get the opportunity to learn about numerous different types of law (employment, governmental benefits, estate planning, etc.), but there was also a sense of accomplishment when you assisted a person with cancer find their way through a difficult time. The gratitude that some callers felt was something indescribable, and something I will definitely take away with me. It is always difficult when you are trying to assist someone with cancer, because you know that no matter what sort of information you provide, they are going through what is likely the most trying period of their life. Beyond that, I have found that often times, the remedies available to those with cancer are not always sufficient or thorough enough. It’s extremely difficult to call back a client and tell them that there are not a lot of options available to them or that the avenues open to them are fairly limited. – Nikhil Pillai (Georgetown University '13)