Interview
Question 1: Do you believe that your composing as a public defense attorney and what you do has had an impact on your clients?
Answer: I believe my composing has a huge impact on my clients, because it is a form of advocating for their rights and interests. I have won many cases based on my legal research and writing. Good composing skills has also made a huge impact on people’s lives because when I argue against the State for a judge to rule a certain way, most of the time the judge makes a decision based on which writing and arguments sound the best, as well as who provided the best legal research. My job as a Public defender has definitely impacted people’s lives because I ensure neither the State, the police or the judge violates their constitutional rights. Even people who make mistakes in committing crimes deserve second chances, and I work to ensure that those who want a chance to do better can do it out in the real world and not in jail or prison.
Question 2: What skills are needed for the composing done in your profession?
Answer: As an attorney, I draft many written motions (where we are asking the court to do something or rule a certain way) and draft many emails to prosecutors where we are involved in negotiations. To be able to do this, legal research and citations skills are required. This type of writing has to be concise and professional. Judges are extremely busy, and that is why we need to make our motions easy to read and cite all the laws they need to know so we do not waste their time.
Question 3: How did you learn these skills for composing, did they come naturally or through courses in law school?
Answer: I had to take many classes during law school, including classes like legal research (both beginner and advanced), legal writing, appellate advocacy, and more, in order to learn the skills needed to write as an attorney. I also did internships under several judges, where I drafted written memorandums and proposed orders under the supervision of other attorneys. Besides the legal writing and research classes I took in law school, I developed skills in writing during law school exams. Law school exams included long fact patterns, which is where we had to read and write out an analysis in a short period of time. Legal writing is an ongoing learning process that I’ve been improving over time. It has to sound smart, but it also has to be to the point. Also, there is a template on how to write legally- which instructs to write the issue, rule of law, analysis, and conclusion. I learned this template along with the skills in law school classes and through internships.
Question 4: What have you done to improve your composing skills or hope to do to improve them?
Answer: To improve my composing skills, I have looked at writings of other successful attorneys and have tried to model it. I also let other people proofread my work and get feedback on how to improve and try to make those revisions that they suggest. It is always helpful getting another set of eyes to look at your work.
Question 5: What is your biggest challenge in composing for your job?
Answer: My biggest challenge in composing is the legal research and citations. I need to find certain cases to cite in most of my writing during my work and cite those cases the right way which can sometimes be difficult.
Question 6: What kind of composing did you do prior to this job?
Answer: Types of composing I did prior to this job was writing for school, taking pictures for fun, and using social media as a way to reach out to others like my family overseas and post what I am doing.
Question 7: Do you still enjoy composing other things outside of work like photography and making videos or journaling?
Answer: Outside of work, I love taking photographs of everyday things like out in nature or of my family and friends at events. I am also a frequent social media user which I really enjoy having because I get to see what everybody is doing and also get to share what I am doing too on several different platforms.
Question 8: What made you decide to become a defense attorney?
Answer: I decided to become a defense attorney to help others around me and in my area. As a public defender, I represent indigent people who cannot afford an attorney. I enjoy the ability to be able to stand next to someone in court and give them a voice, with knowledge of their case and of the law. There are many people who get lost in our criminal justice system and need good representation to ensure their constitutional and human rights aren’t being violated.
Question 9: Do you have any goals in the future to further your career?
Answer: My goal to further my career is to be promoted in my current job as a public defender as much as I can in a short time frame, as well as network as much as I can during my current field so that I have the connections to move forward.
Question 10: Do you see yourself continuing to do the same thing your whole life or do you hope to go further and open your own firm?
Answer: In the future I hopefully see myself either becoming a judge or opening my own law firm. I always strive to go further, but I understand I need the skills and experience to get me there so I know I just have to be patient.
I interviewed a family friend of ours that I have known for a long time, Betty Kishek, who is a public defense attorney in the city of Jacksonville, Florida. I chose her because in my first project I showed how through my composing like speaking out on social media and volunteering for food drives for underprivileged families I could help others either by lifting their sad spirits in a rough time or advocating for them if they do not have the voice or funds to do it through Project 4293 Inc. Betty basically does the same thing but in a professional setting, where she is able to use her degree that she attained, through the day to day composing in her job. As a public defense attorney she is able to write statements and speak out to defend others who need help and make sure that they get the proper support and justice available even if they do not have to funds for it, which is what I admire so much about her position and job. The interview was conducted over the phone due to her busy work schedule but nonetheless it went very well and I was able to look further into the detailed composition done as a public defense attorney and the challenges she has to face in her composing through things like written motions and other statements that need backing up through prior rulings.
