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Howimportantareinternshipstoyour
I hope this message finds you well I wanted to reflect on my own journey of coming to this country as an immigrant and the important role internships played in forming my professional journey. I hope reading these interviews and profiles of our Summer 2024 interns will inspire you as it did me. C
Reflecting on my time in college and law school, int profession and helped me develop skills that I event helped me to understand the “why” of things and th practice is very different than studying the same W immigration law office offers internships for student in the field. We provide meaningful mentorship and Law Fellows each year, hiring law students to perfor law while also hosting undergraduates interested in Students benefit greatly from experiencing the daily associations with staff in the office
Additionally, we have limited opportunities for high partnership with Montgomery County Public Schoo places students in professional settings to explore p collaboration, 4 years running, that we are proud to should work within an office setting and understan firm before committing to higher education institut Students and firms have EVERYTHING TO GAIN an
Meet the Interns-2024!
The Law Office of Edward W Neufville III, LLC conducted interviews with our two Legal Interns for the summer 2024 session. Isabel Williams a then rising 2L at the George Washington University Law School and Joseph Frengel, II a then rising 3L at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. Hear what the interns have to say regarding their experience at the Law Office of Edward W. Neufville III, LLC.
Is this your first internship experience, and if not, could you expand a bit on some of your previous internship and work experience?
This is not my first internship experience. I went to Guatemala for 2 summers in high school and worked with Safe Passage which is an organization that works with the community living around the Guatemala City dump Safe Passage provides free and really high quality education and also offers work training, parenting classes and a lot of other services. My role was helping work in the English classes they offered. It was really awesome, I really liked that program and I still donate to them and recommend it.
Why did you choose to do your internship at an Immigration law firm? Do you have a special interest or past experience related to immigration law?
Yes, I worked with refugees during my undergraduate years at World Relief - Seattle , a refugee resettlement agency I was a refugee resettlement intern so refugees would come in and I managed the orientation spreadsheets. I really liked that internship, but I couldn't do as much as I wanted. The immigration attorneys are the ones that can really make an impact. So I wanted to do something that I had a previous experience with, and that's why I looked into immigration law firms
Isabel Williams- The George Washington School of Law
Interview with Isabel Williams
Why did you choose the Law Office of Edward W. Neufville, III LLC for your summer internship? What factors weighed your application to this program and what do you hope to bring to this internship?
I applied to the Law Office of Edward W Neufville III, LLC because I was interested in immigration law and I liked that it was a full service immigration firm that took on a wide variety of matters. Moreover, the Attorney went to the same university as me for undergraduate studies so there was a little connection. As for what I hope to bring to the internship, I'm a hard worker and I really value doing high quality work and helping clients.
For our readers who are in law school or considering law school, what toolkit has helped you manage the workload and academic rigor of law school? I would say schedule management and being organized You also have to start assignments early, you can't wait until the week before finals to study everything for the whole semester. My process started with doing a review after every unit. I made sure that I understood everything and then started crafting my outline or study guide for the end of the semester. By the time I got to the end of the semester, I had everything written up. So all I had to do was review it and practice and memorize it. So basically I manage my workload by being extra prepared, starting early and being organized.
In your experience, would you say that some undergraduate majors might be better suited than others in preparing students for law school?
Yes, and no So I have undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Global Studies which definitely prepared me for taking law school courses However, at the same time if you come into law school with a technical undergraduate degree like Biology or other STEM degrees, you can go into IP law and you can have a leg up
This is because most IP firms will only take lawyers that have a technical undergraduate degree. But for people that don't want to go into IP law, I definitely recommend a reading heavy major.
As a final note, why should individuals seeking immigration assistance choose the Law Office of Edward W. Neufville, III LLC?
I think that the process at the Law Office of Edward W. Neufville III, LLC is really hands-on and really conscientious. I know the attorney is considering every single possibility for the case and making extremely creative decisions. There are some cases that I've seen that I thought there was no way it could work but he finds a way. He doesn't let any detail go unaddressed, and I really appreciate that creativity. That's something that I enjoy about the legal profession in general.
Interview with Joseph Frengel II
Joseph Frengel ll - University of Maryland Francis King Carey School Of Law
Why did you choose to do your internship at an Immigration law firm? Do you have a special interest or past experience related to immigration law?
My undergraduate background was in Africology, from Temple University I came to law school initially wanting to do Civil Rights law a lot more broadly. I narrowed it to Immigration law because I saw it as a different avenue of Civil Rights law, seeing the way that immigrants of African descent don't receive the same treatment in the system
Why did you choose the Law Office of Edward W. Neufville, III LLC for your summer internship? What factors weighed your application to this program and what do you hope to bring to this internship the cases and the office?
I chose the Law Office of Edward W. Neufville III, LLC because I wanted to start my career in private practice at a small immigration law firm. This firm stood out to me because it's client-centered and it's very immigrant-centered.
The firm is run by people who themselves went through the immigration system. What I hope to bring is a valuable perspective and a passion for the issues. Moreover, having done the immigration clinic at University of Maryland's law school, I’m a bit more experienced than a lot of law students
Fun Fact: Joseph has strong connections to the Haitian American community and speaks Creole
Your undergraduate major was Africology and African American Studies, how did this coursework help prepare you for law school?
I feel like since it dealt with Afrocentricity and Afrocentric frameworks, it gave me an ability to be critical and not just accept anything. It helped me question if something is really the truth or if it's just eurocentric bias that's informing perceptions and then trying to kind of paint that as if it's the only truth. And there's multiple truths. So that ties into law school in the sense that you have to question everything, really pry into what the reasoning is and not just blindly accept things as fact.
Taking a step back from the law firm, how has your law school experience been thus far? What challenges do you face while in law school and what strategies do you use to overcome them?
Overall, the experience has been pretty good. It's been an adjustment. It's difficult in the sense that you kind of have to learn a new way of thinking when you're new to the law and it's also a difficult exercise of time management. You're being pulled in multiple directions of having to work on your career development while doing the academic stuff as well as any extracurriculars. My strategy is I don't try to take on too much at once I feel like some people can overextend themselves, and if you do that, it's difficult to practice time management You can make law school even harder on yourself by trying to bite off too much.
Getting back to your experience at the law firm, how valuable has this internship been in helping you achieve your professional goals?
I think it's been extremely valuable seeing how a small immigration practice works I have also been able to build on the experience I previously had working on asylum cases at the immigration clinic back at my law school. The attorney is extremely recognized and experienced so it's been good to be able to have one-on-one dialogue with him
As a final note, why should individuals seeking immigration assistance choose the Law Office of Edward W. Neufville, III LLC?
I'll say that this firm is gonna give their all to each particular case. They're gonna give their all to the cases. The attorney is very experienced and he's always gonna look for creative ways to get the best results in your case. And as I stated earlier, this is a very client-centered and immigrant-centered firm.
We hoped you enjoyed reading the interviews conducted with our Legal Interns Summer 2024. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors and have no doubt they will soar to great heights.
A special thank you to Summer 2024 Marketing Intern Kidest Shemeles for conducting these interviews.
If you are looking for an internship for Summer 2025, we are officially accepting applications! Please refer to page 11 of our magazine for more information on the roles we have available and the steps to apply! We are also on Handshake
Intern Profile
College Rising Senior: Kidest Shemeles
Please meet Kidest Shemeles Kidest is a senior at Cornell University double majoring in Cognitive Science and Political Sciences with minors in Law and Society, Philosophy and Female, Gender and Sexuality Studies.
Kidest interned at the Law Office of Edward W. Neufville III, LLC as a Special Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer.
For the internship Kidest received funding from Cornell University through the school’s Summer Experience Grant program
We were very glad to have her on our team!
Kidest is originally from Ethiopia and came to the United States to complete her undergraduate studies As someone who is navigating the immigration process herself, she has personal understanding of the situation most of our clients are in. As such, she is dedicated to providing the best possible services to our clients.
With regards to her expertise, Kidest had an extensive research experience centered around immigrants She has worked for the Xenophobia Meter Project which is a tool designed to help classify social media data on a detailed scale of expression of attitudes towards those perceived as foreigners. She has also worked with the Laidlaw Foundation on her independent research project centered on Mayan women migrating from Guatemala to the US.
When asked how this internship would fit into her future career goals, Kidest gave the following response:
“This internship will be invaluable for my future career goals because you get to see the day to day operations of a law office. We all work very closely with Attorney Neufville and have an idea of what he does every day. We also see how the Attorney interacts with clients and how he goes about making clients comfortable enough to acquire his services and provide all the relevant information pertaining to their case no matter how sensitive.
Working with the COO, Ms Akerele, also afforded me the opportunity to see how to manage and run a legal practice. These are things you can only pick up on while working in an actual law office. The other interns and I also learn the soft and hard skills needed to succeed within the legal field which has been amazing!”
After completing her internship at the Law Office of Edward W. Neufville III, LLC, Kidest headed off to Colombia, South America to do a 6-week Leadership-In-Action experience in Medellin This semester, Kidest has gained admission to participate in a study abroad program at the University of Edinburgh to complete her Cognitive Science major.
When asked about her long-term plans, Kidest said she will attend law school after the completion of her undergraduate degree. She wants to continue working with immigrants and hopes to pursue a career in Immigration and International Law.
Summer Rise Program with the Montgomery County Public School (MCPS)
The Law Office of Edward W Neufville III, LLC has always been actively engaged with the local community One of the ways we make meaningful connections and contributions to our community is through the Summer Rise Program organized with the Montgomery County Public School. The Summer Rise program aims at introducing high school students to professional industries and careers. Selected high school students get the opportunity to interact first-hand with industry professionals and learn skills that will help them become successful in their future careers During the span of the program, Summer Rise Participants learn organizational skills, professional skills, technical skills and expertise in what is needed for an individual to succeed within a given career field. To learn more about the program, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/yu5sf6f3.
The Law Office of Edward W. Neufville III, LLC has hosted Summer Rise participants for the past 4 years and was proud to host 2 new participants for the summer of 2024. We were pleased to welcome Keyli G. and Rehaniya B. to the Law Office of Edward W. Neufville III, LLC.
Montgomery County Public School
Rehaniya B. is a senior who is interesting in Criminal law and wants to explore the intersection between business and the legal profession.
Rehaniya B.
Join us in supporting this project by making a donation- Here
Keyli G.
Montgomery County Public School
Keyli G. is a junior at Montgomery Blair High School located in Silver Spring, Maryland She is interested in immigration law and wants to learn more about the nuances of managing a law firm.
Keyli is now working a few hours at the law firm during the 2024/2025 academic year She is a valuable resource to the office and clients.
The interns have each spent 2 weeks this past Summer in the office learning solid and transferable skills applicable within the legal sector and beyond.
The interns compiled an immigration law firm spreadsheet, researched optimal content and timeline for social media postings and worked on various interview reports.
Through the Summer Rise Program, we not only hope to connect with and impact the local community, we also aim to shape future generations of lawyers and professionals by instilling a spirit of excellence, dedication and professionalism in our interns.
We wish the program participants the best of luck in their future endeavors! We also encourage future applicants of the Summer Rise Program to consider the Law Office of Edward W. Neufville III, LLC! You will have a team of people willing to guide you through your experience and also offer advice on a wide range of topics such as the college application process, financial aid forms and future career prospects!
Are
Are you looking for year? Look no fur
Summ
Responsibilities:
Draft immigration applications for attorney review.
Assist in the preparation of cases for submission to government agencies
Assist with the law firm’s case acceptance process by meeting with clients to collect information and documents required for case submission.
Monitor deadlines and contact clients to follow up on case matters
Process incoming case-related correspondence and phone calls
Make appropriate entries in the case management system. Provide translation and interpretation for non-English speaking clients.
Provide other related duties as assigned, such as copying, faxing, scanning, etc
Qualifications:
Must currently be enrolled in an accredited law school
Resume
Cover Letter
Writing Sample (not to exceed 10 pages)
Unofficial Transcript
3 references with contact information
Email all relevant documents to careers@neufvillelaw.com
You may also apply on Handshake
Neufvillelaw “Law Fellow”2024/2025 Academic Year
Responsibilities:
Draft immigration applications for attorney review.
Assist in the preparation of cases for submission to government agencies.
Assist with the law firm’s case acceptance process by meeting with clients to collect information and documents required for case submission.
Monitor deadlines and contact clients to follow up on case matters.
Process incoming case-related correspondence and phone calls.
Make appropriate entries in the case management system.
Provide translation and interpretation for non-English speaking clients.
Provide other related duties as assigned, such as copying, faxing, scanning, etc
Work 20-25 hours in person
Qualifications:
Must be a 3L (minimum) from an accredited law school
Resume
Cover Letter
Writing Sample (not to exceed 10 pages)
Unofficial Transcript
3 references with contact information
Email to careers@neufvillelaw.com
Email subject (Legal fellow 2024/2025)
Are you currently in law school and looking for internship opportunities to further your career? Go ahead and send us your application materials! We look forward to reviewing your candidacy.
Are Thank You notes still relevant?
Should You Still Send One?
After concluding an interview with an organization or company, it is customary to send a thank-you note to the individuals involved in the interview process This includes interviewers, recruiters and other individuals involved in the applicant’s recruitment process. With that in mind, there are individuals who still don’t send thank-you notes after conducting an interview.
In fact, a survey conducted by Robert Half International shows that 80% of human resources managers consider whether or not a thank-you note was sent when making hiring decisions.
Despite this jarring statistic, only about 24% of candidates send thank-you notes after their interviews. Are you one of them?
Still not convinced you should send thank you notes? We’ve written one for you - Please refer to the thank-you note drafted included in our ‘How To Write A Thank You Note’ Magazine linked HERE
CONGRATULATIONS
ARE IN ORDER!!!
*Graduation announcement posted from those who responded to our request
Please help us congratulate two of our former Neufville Law interns as they embark on new chapters in their lives. Waverly McIver graduated from the University of Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA, Megan Meissner graduated from the American University Washington College of Law with a JD.
We are grateful to have been a part of your journey. Congratulations to all our former interns not listed. We wish you all the blessings...
Meghan Meissner graduated from the American University Washington College of Law. She has an extensive work background within the legal sector. She had worked as a Judicial Intern for the Arlington County Circuit Court. She has also worked as a senior staffer for the American University Law Review. Megan was a Dean’s Fellow in Legal Research and Writing at her law school.
Meghan Meissner
Legal Intern
Summer of 2022
At the Law Office of Edward W Neufville III LLC, she worked as a Legal Intern and worked on a substantial number of immigration cases She currently works as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Arlington County Circuit Court.
Waverly McIver Legal Marketing Intern Summer of 2023
Waverly McIver graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with two Bachelors of Arts degrees. She received highest honors and highest distinction in Journalism and Media and highest distinction in Political Science.
In her time at UNC- Chapel Hill, she was a reporter for the Daily Tar Heel, Ministry Team member for Reformed University Fellowship, and a Researcher for Jury-X. She completed internships in the UK Parliament and US Senate in addition to her internship with the Law Office of Edward W. Neufville III, LLC.
She currently serves with the Montana Innocence Project as a Paralegal for a working gap year. She plans to begin law school after she completes her gap year with the Innocence Project.
We wish Megan and Waverly all the best and have no doubt they will go on to do great things in their respective careers!
Who are We...
FOUNDER AND MANAGING ATTORNEY
EDWARD W. NEUFVILLE III
Edward “Eddie” Neufville, a former collegiate and international athlete, distinguished himself as one of the University of North Carolina’s most significant international competitors.
Representing Liberia, West Africa, he participated in the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 1997 World Championships in Athletics as a member of the 4x100meter relay team, setting a Liberian national record on both occasions. Amidst Liberia’s civil crisis in 1996, Neufville viewed his olympic participation as a way to give back and present a positive image of his country. Following his athletic achievements, he excelled at the University of North Carolina, earning All-America honors and later being inducted into the university’s Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2007.
Transitioning to law, Neufville founded the Law Office of Edward W. Neufville, LLC IN 2004, specializing in U.S. Immigration and Nationality law. Despite facing personal challenges as a person who stutters, he became a respected trial lawyer and advocate, garnering recognition as a Maryland Super Lawyer for ten consecutive years. Drawing from his own immigration experience, Neufville is well-equiped to defend his clients within the U.S. immigration system.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
BAHIA AKERELE, MSW
BahiaAkerele,COOhasexpertiseinbusiness,administration, strategy,andfinance.Shehaselevatedthefirm'sreputationin immigrationservicesintheWashingtonDCmetroareaoverher 18+yearsofdiverseexperience.Asthelawfirm'smostseniornonlegalstaffmember,herleadershipensuresexceptionalclient servicesandprofitablerevenuegeneration
Ms.Akerele’s impactfulcareerincludesmanaginginternational mediafortheOfficeofthePresident-Elect(Liberia)duringthe historicinaugurationofAfrica'sfirstdemocraticallyelected President,EllenJohnsonSirleaf ShefoundedAkerele Consultants,contributingtoprojectswithinstitutionslikethe AnnieE.CaseyFoundationandtheWoodrowWilsonCenter.
Ms.AkereleholdstwoBachelor’sDegreesinSociologyand AfricanaStudiesfromConnecticutCollege,aMasterofSocial WorkfromtheUniversityofConnecticut,andcompletedclinical studiesatYaleUniversity.Additionally,sheholdsmarketing certificationsfromGoucherCollegeandafellowshipawardin Philanthropy.
Ms.Akereleisalsoa“creative”andTVpersonalityinhome decor internationallyandintheWashingtonDCarea
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
As the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Tony brings a wealth of experience in aligning technology strategies with the firm's business objectives. With a proven track record in implementing innovative IT solutions, Tony is dedicated to enhancing the efficiency and security of legal operations His 20+ years of expertise in managing complex information systems ensures seamless communication and collaboration within the firm Tony is a forward-thinking leader committed to leveraging technology to optimize legal processes and stay at the forefront of the ever-evolving legal landscape. Tony has worked with attorney Neufville for 13 years.
TONY ORAVET
PARALEGAL
DIANA PADILLA
Diana is a paralegal from Colombia with a strong background in immigration and family law. She is bilingual as she is proficient in both English and Spanish. Her career is driven by a passion for helping families overcome legal challenges and reunite She brings a unique perspective informed by cultural sensitivity and extensive legal expertise. She has made it her personal mission to ensure each client receives personalized support and effective representation. Known for her attention to detail and advocacy skills, she is committed to guiding clients through complex legal processes with compassion and dedication.
Austin Lee
Legal Assistant
New Staff & Interns
Julia Ortiz-Tzul
Marketing Intern (Fall 2024)
Hannah Bair
Legal Assistant
Naomi Familia Paredes
Research Assistant
Shalvi Kamble
Social Media Intern
(Special Projects)
Keyli Gomez
Legal Assistant
