Jesse Ramos 3L has the knowledge, patience, persistence and compassion to advocate for indigent clients, and he has another trait—the drive to become even better at it.
After every court appearance this semester through the Youth Justice Clinic, Ramos discussed his performance with UNC Clinical Programs Director Tamar Birckhead.
“He has the maturity and determination to keep improving as an advocate, a quality that is rare to find whether among law students or attorneys in general,” Birckhead says.
That’s one reason Ramos received the Clinical Legal Education Association’s Outstanding Student Award, given to someone at each law school.
In the clinic, Ramos represented juveniles in court proceedings. He gained skills in counseling clients, conducting investigations, interacting with parents and interviewing witnesses.
“It prepared me to think on my feet in the face of unanticipated and changing circumstances,” he says.
Ramos prepared clients to speak before judges by role-playing, giving feedback and coaching them to discuss their interests and goals.
“In front of the judge, they were confident, respectful and reflective. It was a highlight for me because it challenged everyone’s opinion about my client. It will influence my work by enabling me to see beyond my clients’ charges and seeing clients with redeeming qualities,” Ramos says.
Birckhead cites a case in which Ramos, representing a teenager charged with common law robbery, secured an agreement for the client to admit to a minor misdemeanor.
“Jesse made sure the judge, probation officer and prosecutor knew his client was much more than the crimes he was charged with,” says Birckhead, whose department chooses CLEA award recipients.
UNC’s clinical programs offer invaluable experience for students—and an invaluable service for clients and the community.
“They equip students with the habits of mind and skills to be reflective and zealous advocates in pursuit of social justice,” Birckhead says. “All of our clinics address otherwise unmet legal needs, model the highest standards of practice, and ultimately advance Carolina Law’s mission of being a great and truly public law school.”
-April 21, 2016