The Commission on Law & Aging has always recruited and hosted talented interns, but the interns of 2018 were exceptional even by our standards.
Kelly Crowe is continuing her legal studies at Virginia’s George Mason University. In her role as Co-Vice President of Expansion for The VBA Pro Bono Society, she is bringing ABA values of service to her campus. Her organization is “dedicated to promoting public service among the students and faculty of George Mason University.” The Society's web site says that it aims to provide “an arena where students can begin to explore the ABA-recognized responsibility to provide legal services for those unable to afford them. We believe that by giving back to our community, we uplift both the law and the legal profession and help to create a better future for ourselves and those that follow.”
In her internship with COLA, Kelly compiled a table, Statutory Provisions for Guardians ad Litem in Guardianship Proceedings (BIFOCAL, v. 39, Issue 6)
Gabriel Estridge is continuing his legal studies at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. During his internship for us, Gabriel compiled three research documents:
• Update of State Emeritas Pro Bono Rules (BIFOCAL, Vol. 39, Issue 5)
• The ABA’s Reference of State-Specific Advance Planning Forms, June 26, 2018 (BIFOCAL, Vol. 39, Issue 6)
• Health Care Power of Attorney Chart Updated (BIFOCAL, Vol. 40, Issue 1)
Our most recent intern, Sasha Marseille, just completed her third semester at The George Washington University School of Law. During her internship, she researched and produced a Summary of Health Care Decision Statutes Enacted in 2018 (BIFOCAL, Vol. 40, Issue 2).
Xiaomeng Zong, our first intern from the People’s Republic of China, brought us rare and valuable cross-cultural and international insights about older people worldwide. After doing stellar work for us on analyzing and comparing laws regarding guardianship protection rights in America and Africa, and reviewing and comparing laws concerning health provider’s refusal in all 50 states, she accepted an internship at the United Nations.
In 2018, we also got word that Teresa Yao, who was an intern at The Commission on Law and Aging during the summer of 2016, was awarded a prestigious Borchard fellowship to create a free legal clinic as part of a Medical-Legal Partnership that will provide low-income older adults with holistic client-centered care that addresses both their legal and social needs in Chicago.
Our first intern for 2019, Laura Ruppalt, will start on Friday, January 18. Laura is a first-year evening student at the Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. Her background as an electrical engineer promises to bring a new level of enlightenment and energy to the Commission.