Criminal Justice Clinic (CJC): Alicia Burrell, 3L
Q: What Matters to You and Why?
My family has inspired my work in CJC and law school. As a person of color, I see other people of color, my family, and myself misunderstood every day. My goal in coming to law school was to lead every interaction with a client, professor, or student with kindness, compassion, and understanding. My family has taught me that listening and leading with kindness is never a waste. I have found this to be completely true in working with CJC clients and other interactions in law school. There is so much that can be achieved in the legal field by taking the time to understand someone and have the necessary context. I'd like to believe that taking the extra time to lead with these qualities and learn others’ stories has not only made me a better future attorney, but also a better person committed to understanding others.
Q: What's working in the Criminal Justice Clinic like?
I've had the opportunity to be in CJC for three semesters. In my first semester with CJC, I worked with my clinic partner, Allysa, on behalf of five misdemeanor clients, a client seeking post-conviction relief related to immigration consequences, and a compassionate release client — a federal prisoner seeking release from prison. I was able to go to court almost every week and speak with judges as well as district attorneys on behalf of my clients. I received first-hand experience of the fast-paced nature of the court and the excitement of advocating for one's client. For our post-conviction client, I learned about the intricacies of the criminal system and the immigration system, especially how both systems leave individuals without the knowledge of how their potential convictions can impact their immigration status. It was truly heartbreaking to make that realization. Allysa and my motion for our immigration-related client was granted, and now our client can apply for a green card and stay in the U.S. with his wife and kids. I also worked on a compassionate release case, and after filing our motion based on his terminal illness and exceptional character, our client was released from prison before the holidays in 2023. This motion really solidified for me the power in what we do at CJC and that taking the time to craft a narrative with context is invaluable. In my second and third semesters in CJC and currently, I'm waiting on the judge's decision for another young, thoughtful immigration-related client. I once again had the chance to craft his motion with his life story and context, hoping the judge listens to his story with compassion. With the help of my partner, Marcela, we are working on two more compassionate release motions for two kind, hopeful men serving life sentences in prison, one of whom we were able to visit in prison. I'm so grateful we got to listen to his story.
Q: How has your clinical experience shaped your legal education?
My clinical experience greatly shaped my legal education. It's so easy in law school to forget that real people exist, and things matter outside of the textbook. Participating in CJC reminded me that my legal education is for more than studying, it is about using the information I learn for good, especially for those disenfranchised the most.As a person of color, I see other people of color, my family, and myself misunderstood every day. My goal in coming to law school was to lead every interaction with a client, professor, or student with kindness, compassion, and understanding. My family has taught me that listening and leading with kindness is never a waste. I'd like to believe that taking the extra time to lead with these qualities and learn others' stories has not only made me a better future attorney but also a better person committed to understanding others.
- Alicia Burrell, 3L
Q: How has the clinic helped you develop valuable skills such as client relationships, empathy, legal research and advocacy?
CJC helped me develop my advocacy skills, especially how to package certain information from our clients in a favorable way. Using a client's own narrative can help boost legal precedent and give necessary context to a situation that a judge might not have considered if we didn't include it. CJC also has helped my legal research skills because I now know how to search for legal dockets, research judges and their opinions, and complete it all in a timely manner. Lastly, CJC has been instrumental in confirming that empathy and listening are the best ways to develop a lawyer-client relationship.
Q: How has the clinic deepened your understanding of the social and systemic issues affecting communities and individuals who seek legal assistance?
As a Black woman, I grew up understanding and facing social and systemic inequalities regularly, as well as watching my family and the greater POC community struggle. Part of my reason for coming to law school was to help uplift communities and share knowledge because knowledge is power. CJC has opened my eyes to how many more communities are struggling than I realized. For example, the nexus between people of color, immigration, and criminal convictions or houseless individuals and the fight to not be placed in criminal court. I've also seen the penalty for clients choosing trial over plea deals. I grew up knowing that the carceral system targets men of color but seeing it in action is different than knowing it. All my compassionate release clients and post-conviction relief clients have been men of color. CJC has deepened my understanding of this aspect of the legal system. The experience of sitting in a courtroom and only seeing defendants of color or not many attorneys of color confirmed that sharing my knowledge and volunteering my time to help is worth more than I could ever imagine.
Q: What advice or insights about your clinical experience would you offer to prospective students considering UCI Law?
The practical knowledge you will receive in the clinic is invaluable. My advice to prospective students is to get super involved and say yes to every opportunity in the clinic, especially the ones that require you to meet clients in person or speak with the court. Seeking out a law school that provides you with the opportunity and autonomy to learn and experience should be at the top of your list.