Student Profiles
July 12, 2010
Internship Gives Student Focus on the Law
This summer Jessica Arthur ’11 (legal studies/sociology) is participating in an internship with Atty. Kirstie Pecci, supported by a Merriam Internship Scholarship. Established by Dwight Merriam ’68 (sociology) several years ago to honor his aunt and sisters, this award helps students in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences who are interested in public policy, law, ecological conservation, and/or real estate development. “This experience will help me because I am able to do legal research for the first time,” says Arthur. “U.S. case law is based on this, and it’s what you mostly do the first year in law school, so I’m getting a head start. Atty. Pecci is great to work with, and when I’m a lawyer I hope to be as passionate about my practice as she is about hers. Since my internship is unpaid, the Merriam Scholarship has been much appreciated.”
Pecci has been representing, pro bono, more than 300 citizens, Residents for Alternative Trash Solutions (RATS), who are appealing the expansion of the Southbridge, MA, landfill. According to Pecci on the RATS website, a number of circumstances cast grave doubt upon the validity of the Southbridge Board of Health’s proceeding that gave the green light to expansion. “This is very important work,” Arthur notes. “If the expansion is allowed, it would be the largest municipal solid waste landfill in Massachusetts. People are concerned about dangerous impacts on air and water quality.”
Already Arthur has reviewed Pecci’s appeals to the Southbridge Board of Health and created charts of all the services that Casella Waste Systems Inc., owners of the landfill, offers to towns throughout New England “The charts,” says Arthur, “include landfill names, tonnage each receives annually, and their length of operation. Currently, I’m reviewing law and cases on site assignments for solid waste facilities in Massachusetts. This involves creating case summaries on a spreadsheet, making future reference easy.”
Arthur also is calling the 2,200 residents who live within two miles of the Southbridge landfill to warn them of the expansion and documenting their responses. “Essentially, I inform them of the potential negative impact on the health of their family and enjoyment of their home, which by law they have a right to,” she says. “I also explain that they will be receiving odor reporting cards by mail so they can gather information about any nuisances the landfill causes. This is important because if there are enough reports, then there is a possibility of getting damages in court for those impacted.”
Clearly, Arthur has her hands full this summer, but she’s loving every minute. “As far back as I can remember, when people asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up, I always said ‘a lawyer.’ I still hold that dream and am passionate about my studies. Last spring I got some great insights into the law through an internship with Superior Court Judge Judd Carhart. Every Monday and Wednesday I attended, discussed, and observed court proceedings conducted by him and other Superior Court judges in Springfield, Greenfield, and Northampton. I was able to sit in on murder, rape, armed robbery, and substance abuse cases, experiencing firsthand the court system in action. I learned so much about law and justice.”
Coming to UMass Amherst, Arthur says, was a great decision. “I knew I wanted to major in legal studies, but I really wanted to do a double major to get the most out of my academic experience. I started out with business, but by the end of sophomore year I realized that the subject matter really didn’t excite me. The sociology courses I’d taken really held my attention, so I went that route. When I graduate next spring I’ll have a full complement of 150 credits instead of the usual 120. I really am passionate about what I’m learning, so taking the extra credits was so worthwhile. The professors in both legal studies and sociology make the learning experience interesting and intriguing. And they are so approachable and easy to speak with.”
With all that academic work, Arthur somehow managed to engage in other opportunities campus life offers. Her experience with Boltwood Project, a community service program of about fifteen groups who volunteer with mentally or physically challenged individuals in Amherst and the surrounding communities, was particularly enriching. Arthur’s group is known as West Street. “Once a week,” says Arthur, “I’d go to a women’s group home and engage in activities like painting, cooking, watching movies or just doing fun girl things. Hanging out with them was a real stress reducer. Though mentally challenged, these women were bright and full of life. This year I’ll be a supervisor for West Street, planning weekly activities and attending weekly meetings with other Boltwood supervisors.”
In addition, Arthur will be a sociology teaching assistant for Professor Christin Glodek in her Introduction to Human Rights class. “I’m really excited about this,” Arthur says. “I know I’ll learn so much. I’ll also work three days a week, as I have been, at Union Billiards in the Student Center.”
Arthur, who’ll be taking the LSAT and applying to law school this fall, sums up her UMass experience: “The people are amazing, the food is delicious, uptown is fun, the sporting events are exciting, and the Mullins Center has great shows. You can major in practically any field and join any club—and if it doesn’t exist you can create it! I urge everyone to get involved, academically and recreationally. Your four years here will fly by, so enjoy every moment!”
Find out more about SBS Scholarships.
