The six-week internship program, which runs through Aug. 13, will expose interns to the many professional possibilities the court system has to offer. In addition, workshops and seminars will cover resume writing, interview techniques and tips on financial planning.
According to Dowling, more than 1,500 interns have come through Kings County Courts in Brooklyn over the past 30-plus years.
‘The most successful summer youth program in the city’
Hon. Matthew D’Emic said that what Dowling and her committee have created “is probably the most successful summer youth program in the city.”
“It’s truly a remarkable achievement,” D’Emic continued. “And you are all the beneficiaries of it. We are so glad to have you.”
Hon. Genine Edwards called the opportunity “the genesis of your careers.”
“Take this seriously, take in everything that you can, and of course, have a good time,” Edwards said.
Hon. Christopher Robles reflected a bit on his own upbringing. “My path to the bench, the ticket that got me on the right track and into law, was education,” Robles said. “Regardless of your station in life, you can overcome anything with education and determination. That said, I urge you all to take advantage of the opportunity you have here.”
Hon. Don Leo also spoke about his background, noting that his first summer legal job was working for a precursor to the Summer Youth Employment Program. “I was employed through the Chinese American Planning Council,” he recalled. “I truly hope this internship program will instill an interest and appreciation in our city’s legal system.”
Hon. John Hecht urged the interns to “take your tasks seriously.”
“I don’t know if you realize how lucky you all are,” Hecht said. “The key here is to make connections and meet as many people as you can.”
Hon. Claudia Daniels-DePeyster read what she called one of her favorite poems to the audience, “Live Your Creed” by Langston Hughes. The poem is a call to value action over words when it comes to leadership, teaching and personal example. It encourages learning by doing rather than relying solely on lectures. Hughes urges people, especially leaders and mentors, to live their creed.
Hon. Claudia Daniels-DePeyster. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
Supreme Court–Civil Matters Chief Clerk Charles Small, Esq., Supreme Court–Criminal Term Chief Clerk Brian McCallister, and Civil Term Court Officers Samson Adelaja and Ivan Cruz also delivered brief remarks.
Izetta Johnson created the Summer Youth Employment Program in 1989 and was an employee of the New York State Unified Court System for more than 30 years. She was also a trainer and manager of the Court’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office.
Johnson chaired and co-chaired numerous events at the Supreme Court, including Career Day and Unity Day, along with committees such as the Gender Fairness Committee and the Supreme Court BHM Committee. Johnson died in 2016 at the age of 59.