My name is Tracy Vu, and I am a first generation law student at the University of San Francisco. I spent this summer working as the Carl L. McConnell Fellow for the housing team at the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County. As I begin my second year in school, I am looking back on my summer experience and what brought me to where I am now.
Despite finishing my first year of law school, I still was very unsure of what type of law I wanted to pursue, but I knew my passion was in public interest law. Growing up, I often translated and helped my mom fill out forms and paperwork, which sparked my early understanding of the challenges people face when navigating the legal systems. This background helped me connect with clients at Legal Aid, many of whom were dealing with similar struggles.
In the 10 weeks with Legal Aid, I gained hands-on experience in advocating for tenants' rights and housing justice. I worked directly with clients facing housing insecurity and eviction. In my first week, I shadowed attorneys and project coordinators to understand the different types of client intakes and learned the nuances of housing law. By the second month, I began interacting with clients independently to gather their side of the story and assisting them in filling out forms for their answer. I would then collaborate with the attorneys to determine the best course of action for each case. One of the key lessons I learned was the importance of asking questions, continually digging deeper to uncover every possible angle to support the clients' cases. I also participated in weekly clinics, which provided another opportunity to work face to face with clients. These clinics pushed me to deepen my knowledge of housing laws, ensuring I was well-prepared to apply them to each unique situation.
I was particularly struck by how the attorneys modeled compassion in their work, demonstrating that even when legal solutions were limited, showing empathy and understanding could make a meaningful difference for the clients. Their compassion reminded me that being a lawyer is about more than just applying the law; it's also about being an advocate for those who are struggling.
Though my summer with Legal Aid has ended, this fellowship will continue to have a lasting impact on my legal education and career development. I would like to thank the attorneys and project coordinators who guided me throughout this fellowship. They not only helped me grow as a legal advocate but also provided me with invaluable insights into the legal profession and the importance of serving our community through public interest work. Through this fellowship, I was exposed to a new side of legal advocacy and saw firsthand the impact that legal aid can have on the lives of vulnerable individuals and families. This experience reaffirmed my passion for public interest law and my desire to make a positive impact within the community.