Intellectual Property, Arts, and Technology Clinic – Press Freedom Project: Drew Navarre, 2L
Drew Navarre is an incoming summer associate at Carpenter & Zuckerman. Drew graduated magna cum laude from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Economics.
During his 2L year at UCI Law, Drew was a student in the UCI Intellectual Property, Arts, and Technology Clinic’s Press Freedom Project. At UCI Law, he is an Executive Editor of the UC Irvine Law Review, a student leader for the Transgender Legal Assistance Clinic, and a Research Fellow for a first-year legal writing and research course. Additionally, Drew externed with the Honorable Scott Clarkson of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California.
Q: What Matters to You and Why?
Freedom of the press is essential to a healthy democracy, as it enables the media to serve as watchdogs and inform the public about government injustices occurring at all levels, from federal to local. Independent journalists play a crucial role in uncovering government wrongdoing, often operating with limited funding and legal support. Legal clinics can play a significant role in offering vital legal services, supporting journalists in their pursuit of informing the public.
Q: Tell us about the work you're doing in your clinic
One of our clients recently filed a lawsuit against a police department for wrongful arrest. The incident occurred while they were covering a protest regarding the cleanup of an unhoused encampment at Echo Park Lake. We received a massive discovery dump, which included over 60,000 pages of documents, hours of bodycam footage, and police radar. It took us dozens of hours to go through it all and refine our case theory to prepare for upcoming hearings and depositions. By representing our clients, I played a small role in the effort to safeguard their journalistic rights and liberties, and defend the public's right to information.
Despite initially feeling overwhelmed, advocating for our client was deeply fulfilling, particularly because it marked the realization of a dream I've held since the age of fourteen: to become a litigator.
Q: How has your clinical experience shaped your legal education?
I am very grateful for my clinical experience, which has been one of the most valuable parts of my legal education. I am grateful for UCI Law’s clinical requirement and commitment to experiential learning. It has contributed to my legal education by giving me hands-on, real-world experience with clients who may not otherwise have representation. Further, I have been able to pursue my values to work towards the goal of protecting freedom of speech and press.
I am very grateful for my clinical experience as it has been one of the most valuable parts of my legal education so far. I am grateful for UCI Law’s clinical requirement and commitment to experiential learning. I feel that it has contributed to my legal education by giving me hands-on, real-world experience for clients who may not otherwise have representation.
- Drew Navarre, 2L
Q: How has the clinic helped you develop valuable skills such as client relationships, empathy, legal research and advocacy?
I was very nervous about transitioning from learning the law in an academic setting to applying the law to real-world issues and clients. My involvement in the Press Freedom Project, working with actual clients and addressing real issues, has fueled my desire to pursue a career in law, as I've witnessed firsthand the tangible effects of my advocacy work on those I represent.
Q: How has the clinic deepened your understanding of the social and systemic issues affecting communities and individuals who seek legal assistance?
Justice is often denied to those without financial resources. Legal clinics are a way to combat systemic inequalities in our legal system and society as they give counsel and representation to those who may otherwise not have access to an attorney. In the context of press freedom, enforcing government violations on free speech and press incentivizes the government to ensure they are following all citizens' constitutional protections.
Q: What advice or insights about your clinical experience would you offer to prospective students considering UCI Law?
No matter what school you attend, a clinic can give you “first-chair” experience under the guidance of a professor. This will ultimately prepare you for entering the legal profession in any context. UCI Law requires every student to complete a clinic, which helps you gain relevant, experiential skills that will transfer to any practice area. If you want to ensure that your law school experience is both academic and practical, I could not recommend UCI Law’s clinical program enough.