What went well?

• With five cases left to go, I spent this entire week handling one case per day leaving my hardest one for my final day since that was the court date we were assigned to. By completing the same procedural steps as the cases before it, I already knew what to do, what to expect, and how to go about any slight changes. These cases were a bit trickier since some clients needed additional home accommodations apart from their bail application and others needed dire financial support since they had no one to lean back on upon their release. By the week’s end, I was able to successfully win these cases, a feat that signals how all of Tara’s and my clients (insinuating the full list of 50 individuals) were freed from detention, escaping their deportation order as well.   

What could have been done differently?

• In terms of things I could have done differently, I wish I would have asked my last client for more details regarding some of his past legal matters that were being put in question by the prosecutors at the Home Office. The opposition’s defense cited that the client had applied for bail 11 days prior to the request I submitted and this that was unlawful since the client didn’t wait for the 28-day grace period that one must follow to reapply for bail. When initially talking to the client, I learned that he applied for bail with the help of a friend who didn’t quite understand English and used third party help to complete the application. It was the failure and incapacity to have a fair shot at creating a proper application which I planned on using for my defense. However, when speaking to him again, I learned that the translations were wrong and he did have a help friend him but didn’t use him to create the app, he did it himself and only used the friend to recommend him to third party resources. If I had tried to clarify any discrepancies I may have had from the start we would have avoided the troubles that the Home Office gave to us, and I would have thought of a different supporting argument. Regardless, I was able to get the client bail and he was all happy with our work, but I would be dishonest of me to say I wasn’t stressed by the change of circumstances nor a bit pessimistic about what the results could have been on the final day of my job and of appearing in court.

What did I learn about myself when working with others?

• When working with others, I learned that I exhibited an extraordinary determination to give my job and my clients all of my effort. It’s 100% or nothing. I vouched to them that I would fight and fight I did until the end. If it wasn’t for this bravery, ambition, and curiosity, I don’t think I would have been as comfortable to take on such different leadership roles nor end up giving the results everyone was hoping for. This internship and volunteer experience was a challenge, but one of the best manners and I am eternally grateful to Laidlaw and BiD for allowing me to explore my interests while helping underprivileged communities.

What did I learn about leadership?

• As far as my leadership attributes, I was able to consistently work on my leadership abilities. From being able to lead without an authority figure always present, to building purposeful relationships and networks, to constantly learning about cultures and the experiences of others, I was able to dig deeper on an emotional level and really relate to my clients. This mindset contributed greatly to the speed at which I got communications back and gave the client their response letter from BiD and the Home Office saying they are free to remain in the UK.

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

• Looking at what I can develop or focus on next, I want to focus on internalizing everything I learnt from my time in the UK and use it as an advantageous tool to continue doing good work in the sector of law in the future.