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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Through internship program, Madison County students get taste of legal life

Seven Madison County high school students have spent a month interning with local law firms through the annual Madison County Intern Program.

The program, first started in 2012, was coordinated by the Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee and organized by attorneys Jennifer Johnson of the firm HeylRoyster and Jo Anna Pollock of the firm Simmons, Hanly and Conroy.

Its purpose is to allow students to get a feel for what a legal career might be like, and to better understand the function of the legal system, according to a press release issued by the court.

“This program allows high school students to meet with judges and to be placed with volunteer lawyers to observe their law offices," stated Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder, who chairs the Pro Bono Committee. 

Students had to go through an application process in order to be selected. The program consisted of an orientation that involved talks from Crowder and Circuit Judge David Dugan and a chance to witness a court hearing.

While interning at their respective law firms, the students were able to learn about various legal concerns, including confidentiality, attorney client relationships, and different types of legal cases and careers, according to the press release.

The student and firm pairings were as follows:

Liberty Felix of Alton High was placed with Scroggins Law Office; Will Hengehold from Edwardsville High was placed with HeplerBroom; Remington Grosze of Edwardsville High interned with Gori Julian; Noah Pirtle from Father McGivney was also placed with Gori Julian; Kimberly Stinson of Metro-East Lutheran High School interned with attorney Jack Cranley; Kara Carnes was placed Unsell and Schattnik; and Cassi Heinz interned with Todd Sivia.

Students interested in the program can apply through their high schools and should turn in their applications by Spring of 2018. The program is only available to Madison County Students.

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