Summer Plans

I am trying to finalize my summer plans while trying to finish this year up. It's frustrating that we have to make decisions so early. I didn't get the public defender job I was hoping for, but I'm optimistic I can get something else lined up. I am thinking I will take classes and do a clinic, which should give me a nice summer experience while giving me plenty of time to be home with Abigail. I want to go to the park and play as much as I want to work, so this should be a good balance.

I decided not to take "no" lying down and called up a local public defender that does not belong to the county-funded association. Small cities contract out their public defense work so I contacted one that has an excellent reputation. If I can do an unpaid internship for them, I can get school credit. I even got a faculty member to agree to do a directed study for me to satisfy the academic portion of the clinic. So that's one option I have to lean on. I am meeting with the firm tomorrow to see if it's a good fit. It's too bad it's a bit of a drive, but if it's only 2 days a week or so I'm not too worried about it.

I just want to do some good work and make a difference this summer, because next summer will be the bar and I want to learn as much as possible before then.

What are your summer plans?