We had two awesome legal interns this summer at ELAP. Willa Meng Gibbs is a JD Candidate at the University of Washington School of Law expected to graduate in Spring 2028.
We interviewed Meng about her experience and what she learned:
What are a couple of key things you’ve learned during your internship that you’ll take with you?
Something that I learned this summer that I will take with me is that the process of helping a survivor of domestic violence through the legal system is not always linear, and in fact, rarely is. Sometimes, it can be two steps forward and one step back. Sometimes it can be just a step back. There are a lot of challenges to this type of work that are specific to DV and working with people through some of the most difficult times of their lives. Even though the process is not always straightforward, it is our role as attorneys and legal professionals to be there to support people when they ask for it and in the way that they want it. I think the attorneys at ELAP do such a great job of being survivor-centered and trauma informed, and I have absolutely benefitted from this example.
I’ve also learned the importance of leaning on your team and getting various perspectives around the office. I think the attorneys at ELAP are able to work really effectively as a team. Although a lot of legal work can be very independent at times, there is huge value in learning from the experiences of others and crowdsourcing tips and strategies. Whether it is advice about what specific judges or commissioners care about, nuances of the law, or simply brainstorming different approaches to the same case, there is so much to learn from others. I think having an office where teamwork is really prioritized is essential and, ultimately, helps get better outcomes for clients.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your experience with ELAP?
Something that was really rewarding while working with ELAP was being trusted with a lot of different projects without much, or any, prior experience. I was so grateful that the attorneys allowed me to contribute meaningfully to their cases, and it really gave me a sense of confidence that I can bring to any future employer. I feel equipped to jump into things that I’ve never done before and just know that I’ll be able to figure it out.
Is there anything surprising that you learned or experienced?
Something that I learned this summer that I didn’t expect was exactly how important it is to take care of yourself first when doing this sort of work. Domestic violence and family law can be very heavy and very difficult at the best of times when things are great in your own life. But when things outside of work get harder, the ability to do the work and show up for clients gets exponentially harder as well. This summer, I learned how to create and stick to my own boundaries, take rest, and to speak up when I needed support.
Anything else you want to share?
I had a great summer at ELAP and think that it was the perfect 1L legal internship. I learned so much about DV and family law in Washington, and I am so appreciative to everyone at ELAP for making me feel seen and valued over the summer. ELAP set a very high bar for me when it comes to knowing what an impactful, sustainable legal career can look like. It was such a privilege to work in this environment with such genuinely kind and caring people doing critical work.
