Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law students are well into enjoying their summer, whatever it may look like. For some it may mean working as a clerk or extern, while others may travel halfway across the globe to take advantage of Chapman’s study abroad opportunities.

Fowler School of Law students Jennifer Tsai (JD ’17) and Cindy Park (JD ’18) chose to pursue summer fellowships in their areas of interest. Tsai is one of two recipients of the Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association’s (LAIPLA) annual Diversity Fellowship and has been working with Edwards Lifesciences Corporation in the IP legal department. She said she learned about the fellowship after discussing summer job opportunities with Fowler School of Law Career Services Office (CSO) Counselors, and was immediately interested in gaining the hands-on, practical experience to supplement her coursework.

“I was drawn to the unique (and rare) opportunity to gain skills and in-house experience in a global company directly involving IP law,” she said. “I am extremely grateful to all of the people and experiences that played integral roles in helping me obtain this fellowship. I will be able to continue honing my legal skills, broadening my perspectives and gaining further understanding of the law.”

Park took a similar route in discovering her diversity fellowship offered by Crowell & Moring, LLP through the CSO, which enabled her take on a position as a 1L summer associate at the firm and as a summer intern at United Health Care.

“I am interested in working in a firm setting and have heard amazing things about Crowell & Moring,” she said. “I also am interested in healthcare law, so this joint program was perfect for me and it focused on helping diverse candidates excel in the legal field.”

Part of the attraction to the joint program was the chance to simultaneously explore a firm and in-house setting.

“This opportunity was at the top of my list for summer work and I feel incredibly lucky to have been chosen,” Park said. “Not only will I be able to come back to my 2L year with practical skills, writing samples and experience, but next year I will have somewhat of a narrower focus in which I can plan out my courses, extracurricular activities and career goals.”

Dakota Jordan (JD ’17) took a different approach to her summer work experience, opting to participate in a documentary film course called “Destination Africa” offered by Chapman’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. The course leads students on a one-week documentary film excursion each year. The film she has been working on highlights Malawi, Africa’s albino community and a nongovernmental organization (NGO) working to combat the stigmatization of the community.

As the only law student on the project, Jordan said her main responsibility was in preparing for the trip; researching NGOs, contracts and relevant laws; and, securing hotel accommodations, transportation and a “fixer,” or go-to person on location. She said she spent her time extensively researching local law to make sure the crew not only accurately understood their subject matter but also the parameters they must work in during their stay, which gave her a new perspective on her legal education.

Her inspiration to take part in the course and film came from a passion for human rights law. She entered law school with a focus on international law and human rights advocacy, and has found a renewed passion after participating in the film course.

“I’m lucky that our film directly relates to law. The research and writing techniques I’ve learned have helped immensely,” she said. “My international law class has also been helpful with understanding the structure of NGOs and their place in the international legal community.”

Once completed, the film will be shown at film festivals around the United States, and eventually given to the NGO to use for promotional purposes.

Above: (From left) Jennifer Tsai, Cindy Park and Dakota Johnson