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PERSONAL STUDENT FEATURE
Benjamin Shapiro: Co-President, George Washington University Law School’s Street Law Organization, Washington, DC [By Charisse Dengler] Currently interning at the Children’s Law Center in Washington, DC, Benjamin Shapiro is going into his 2L year at George Washington University (GWU) Law School. Shapiro, who attends classes in the evenings, said he decided to become a lawyer because he feels that it is the best way to “make a difference.” “I have always been interested in social
organization that goes into public schools
“Separate from the Street Law student
change; but as an undergrad, I never
and teaches the students about the
organization, I became involved with GW
seriously considered a career in the law,”
law. GWU’s organization also prepares
faculty working with Street Law, Inc.—the
he said. “During my final semester at the
the students for competition in a mock
international Street Law organization—as a
University of Maryland, however, I interned in
legislature and mock trial event.
Street Law Fellow, where I received training and taught lessons to D.C. youth transitioning
the education policy office of Senator Edward
out of the foster care system,” he said.
Kennedy; and surrounded by lawyers, I
“Street Law is practical, participatory
realized the impact that a legal education
education about the law,” Shapiro said. “Our
could have on one’s ability to affect public
efforts support legal literacy and foster
However, as it’s often easy to become
policy. I gained a greater appreciation for
positive youth development. Participants
completely immersed in law school and law
the law’s impact on society and wanted to
teach law-related lessons to secondary
school activities and forget about the rest of
be a part of that process of social and legal
school students in D.C. public schools and
the world, Shapiro is thankful for his wife,
development.”
gain valuable insights and experience in
Sarah, and her ability to keep him focused.
the process. By participating in Street Law, Shapiro first heard about the Children’s Law
law students increase legal knowledge and
“I have grown to appreciate my influences
Center while working with the D.C. child
lawyering skills, develop new perspectives,
outside of law school the farther I have
advocacy community, and he is currently
and enrich their law school experience.”
progressed through law school,” he said. “It is easy to get carried away and overwhelmed
interning in the department that represents As co-president, Shapiro (along with 3L
with all of the work and opportunities that
Tiffany Joslyn) deals with the organization’s
law school presents. It is easy to lose track
“Working here has been an incredible
student board, serves as the liaison between
of why you decided to come to law school in
experience,” he said. “I have developed a
the organization and the law school, works
the first place.”
variety of lawyering skills, but what has
with the various public schools that the
been the most meaningful to me is the client
organization partners with, and trains law
“[Sarah] has been a voice of reason and
contact.”
students to be Street Law teachers and
has kept me grounded on what is really
coaches.
important,” he said.
in law school, because so much of legal
Shapiro said the organization caught his
In regard to his courses, Shapiro is enjoying
practice is situational and determined by
eye on the very first day of law school. He
the study of law and appreciates the way
the facts of the case,” he said. “Law school
started out in the group by volunteering
in which the law is always changing but is
has taught me how to anticipate certain
as a Street Law teacher, teaching courses
continuously relevant to everyday life.
situations, but this internship has shown me
at a public junior high school. He then
how to respond when you are actually faced
became a member of some of the Street
“Classroom debate is not merely an isolated
with real-life cases.”
Law committees, including the Education
discussion of distant concepts; it is an
Committee. Being a part of this particular
exploration of a reality that as future lawyers
Shapiro, who hasn’t decided what area
committee allowed him to have a hand in
we will help shape,” he said.
of law he wants to specialize in, is also
creating new courses for the law students to
Co-President of GWU Law School’s Street
teach each week in the public schools.
abused and neglected children.
“So much of what I have learned is not taught
Law organization. Street Law is a student
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So far, Shapiro’s favorite moments in law school have been hanging out with his fellow
continued on back
PERSONAL STUDENT FEATURE
law students after finals, talking about the semester and how they made it through. When it comes to life after law school, Shapiro said he is looking forward to taking on his own cases and having his own clients. “I am excited for the opportunity to make my own unique impact on the legal community,” he said.
ON THE NET Children’s Law Center www.childrenslawcenter.org University of Maryland www.umd.edu Street Law www.streetlaw.org
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