Florida A&M University College of Law 2020 third-year student Malaysha Seals has been selected for the prestigious 2020 Rural Summer Legal Corps Fellowship. The Mobile, Alabama native is one of 35 students selected for this position among almost 450 applicants.
“This is an excellent opportunity and I am excited to be giving back to the community through legal services,” said Seals.
Each summer, Equal Justice Works partners with Legal Services Corporation to support law students who want to give back to rural communities across the United States and its territories. Student fellows spend eight to 10 weeks during the summer exploring a career in civil legal aid. They are tasked with providing direct legal services and building capacity at the organizations where they serve. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, student fellows will work remotely this year to support the efforts of their host organization.
“Equal Justice Works is proud to create opportunities for law students to explore a career in public interest law, while helping rural communities that have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Aoife Delargy Lowe, director of law school engagement & advocacy at Equal Justice Works. “Malaysha is an impressive law student and we are honored to have her join our Rural Summer Legal Corps, where she will help expand legal resources and support for low-income residents in West Tennessee.”
Seals is hosted by West Tennessee Legal Services. She will spend the summer providing education, outreach, and direct legal assistance to low-income families that reside in West Tennessee. These families also may lack basic needs as it relates to housing and abuser scams.
“Since entering law school, I found that my purpose is so much more than being a lawyer,” said Seals. “My purpose is to be an advocate for the voiceless or those who cannot afford a decent attorney and to join the battle against injustices, massive incarceration, poverty, and police brutality.”
