Justice with Compassion in Action: Spring 2026 Interns at Casa Cornelia Law Center
Justice with compassion is not just a tagline at Casa Cornelia Law Center—it defines who we are and why we do this work. As a nonprofit public interest law firm providing quality pro bono legal services to survivors of human and civil rights violations, Casa Cornelia is committed to mentoring the next generation of advocates who share our values of empathy, dignity, and justice.
That commitment was on full display during the onboarding of our Spring 2026 interns on January 15. Law and undergraduate interns gathered for an immersive, three-hour orientation designed to ground them in our mission and introduce them to the real-world impact of compassionate legal advocacy.
As part of their onboarding, interns reviewed a hypothetical scenario involving a survivor of domestic violence and worked collaboratively to assess eligibility for protections under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Through this exercise, interns engaged directly with the kind of legal analysis our attorneys undertake every day—reinforcing Casa Cornelia’s dedication to due process, survivor-centered advocacy, and high-quality legal representation.
The session was further enriched when the Managing Attorney of our Victims of Crime Program joined the group and shared why she continues to do this work. Now marking her 13th year at Casa Cornelia, she reflected on her journey—from being inspired at age eight by Latina human rights lawyers during a school career day, to persevering through multiple attempts to secure an internship at Casa Cornelia, and ultimately advancing from intern to staff attorney, associate, and now Managing Attorney.
Her message to interns was clear and powerful: internships are not just resume builders—they are opportunities to define your path within the law and to discover how justice with compassion can become a lifelong calling.
This spring, interns will play an active role in advancing Casa Cornelia’s mission. As in past terms, they will collaborate on planning, facilitating, and presenting our upcoming Gender-Based Violence Workshop Series, helping educate and empower the community.
Our law interns, Hyacinth Concepcion (California Western School of Law) and Olivia Wallgren (University of San Diego School of Law), will work directly on cases under the Violence Against Women Act, gaining hands-on experience while supporting survivors seeking safety and stability.
Our undergraduate interns, Keyana Naeim (San Diego State University) and Collette McCurdy (University of Southern California), will support outreach initiatives to expand victim resources and assist with awareness-building and fundraising efforts—critical components of ensuring access to compassionate legal services.
We concluded the onboarding with a group photo alongside our Executive Director, Carmen M. Chavez, a reminder that at Casa Cornelia, interns are not observers—they are valued members of a community united by purpose.
We are proud to offer meaningful internship opportunities that combine mentorship, real-world impact, and a deep commitment to human rights, carrying forward the promise of justice with compassion.
For more information about our law and undergraduate internship programs and how to apply, visit our website: https://casacornelia.org/law-and-undergraduate-students/
