For many law students, the path to a legal career begins in a classroom, filled with textbooks, case law and hours of studying legal theories. However, for two University of Alabama School of Law students, the summer has provided an opportunity to step beyond the classroom and into the real-world practice of law in rural Alabama.
Rachel Jenkins of Huntsville and Jensie Britt of Scottsboro are spending their summer in Jackson County as participants in the University of Alabama School of Law’s prestigious Finch Fellows Program.
The fellowship, named in honor of the fictional attorney Atticus Finch from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, was created to expose future attorneys to the unique needs and opportunities found in Alabama’s rural communities.
Through the program, students are placed with judges and attorneys across the state, where they gain hands-on experience while learning about the important role lawyers play in small-town life.
Serving under Jackson County’s Presiding Circuit Judge John Graham, the two students have spent weeks observing court proceedings, meeting attorneys, touring local facilities and learning how the legal system functions beyond what can be taught in a lecture hall.
The experience, they said, has given them a much deeper understanding of both the legal profession and the communities attorneys serve.
For Britt, the journey to law school has been anything but traditional.
A Scottsboro native, Britt spent approximately a decade working as an educator before deciding to pursue a legal career.
She explained that her desire to become an attorney was rooted in the same motivation that initially led her into teaching, a desire to help others.
“I became a teacher because I wanted to help people,” Britt said.
“But after having my own experience with the court system, I realized how confusing and intimidating it can be for someone who isn’t familiar with it.
I saw firsthand how much of an impact lawyers can have on people’s lives, and I wanted to be someone who could help guide others through those situations and advocate for them.”
Britt’s decision to return to school required a significant leap of faith.
Now 35 years old, she entered law school at age 34 after spending years teaching, including nearly three and a half years living and teaching in Japan.
She said she had already begun considering law school before moving overseas, but wanted to pursue that experience before making such a major career change.
“I really loved my time in Japan,” she said. “But eventually I got to a point where I felt like if I was going to become a lawyer, I needed to do it now.
It just felt like the timing was right.”
Britt also noted that she is a first-generation college graduate, making her pursuit of a law degree particularly meaningful.
Jenkins’ path to law school was more traditional, but she shares a similar passion for helping others through the legal profession.
A graduate of Hazel Green High School, Jenkins entered law school believing she wanted to focus exclusively on criminal defense work.
However, after completing her first year of classes and participating in the Finch Fellowship, she has discovered that there are many areas of law she may enjoy.
“When I started law school, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to do,” Jenkins said.
“But the more classes I take and the more experiences I have, the more I realize there are so many opportunities within the legal field.
I know I want to do litigation, but I’m still exploring exactly what that looks like.”
Like Britt, Jenkins comes from a family without attorneys and has largely navigated the legal profession on her own.
Both women admitted that before law school they envisioned careers that might take them away from Alabama.
Yet their time in Jackson County has caused them to reconsider what practicing law in a smaller community could offer.
Before beginning law school, Jenkins said she believed she needed to leave Alabama to find the opportunities she was seeking.
That perspective has changed.
“I definitely plan to stay in Alabama now,” she said. “I love Huntsville and obviously I’m a little biased because I grew up there, but this experience has shown me that there are so many opportunities throughout the state.”
Britt agreed, saying that before the fellowship she was even considering the possibility of practicing law internationally.
“I had thought about maybe working for an American law firm in Japan,” she said. “But after seeing what small-town attorneys do and how connected they are to their communities, I’m much more open to the idea of coming back home and practicing in a rural area.”
Both students said one of the most eye-opening aspects of the fellowship has been seeing the need for attorneys in rural Alabama.
“I think Alabama definitely has a greater need for lawyers in small communities,” Jenkins said.
“That’s really the purpose of this program, to help students understand those needs and see the opportunities available in rural areas.”
The students have been particularly impressed by the close relationships that exist between attorneys and the communities they serve.
“In a small town, lawyers become part of the community,” Britt said.
“You really get the chance to know people and make a difference in their lives.”
The fellowship itself drew the students to Jackson County for different reasons.
Britt learned about the opportunity through former Finch Fellow Gentry Patterson, who completed the program in Jackson County the previous summer.
She said his enthusiasm about the experience and the insight it provided into rural legal practice convinced her to apply.
For Jenkins, the connection to To Kill a Mockingbird immediately caught her attention.
“To Kill a Mockingbird and Just Mercy were two of the books that inspired me to go to law school,” Jenkins said. “When I heard about the Finch Fellowship, I knew it was something I wanted to do.”
She also recalled hearing Judge Graham speak at the law school and being impressed by both his personality and his commitment to the program.
The fellowship has provided the students with extensive exposure to various aspects of the judicial system.
Since arriving in Jackson County, they have observed a civil jury trial, attended a murder trial, watched probation revocation hearings, domestic relations proceedings and drug court sessions, and met attorneys practicing in numerous areas of law.
They have also toured the Jackson County Jail and visited local attractions, including the Scottsboro Boys Museum.
“We’ve gotten to see so many different types of cases,” Britt said.
“That’s probably been one of the best parts of the experience because it allows us to see how many different paths there are within the legal profession.”
Jenkins agreed, saying the experience has helped bridge the gap between law school and real-world practice.
“We spend so much time learning concepts and reading cases,” she said. “Getting to actually see the law in action has been incredibly valuable.”
Another unique aspect of the internship has been working directly in a judge’s office rather than in a law firm.
The students said that experience has provided insight into how judges evaluate cases, review motions and make decisions.
“Most people only see judges in the courtroom,” Jenkins said. “You don’t really know what happens behind the scenes. Being able to see that process has been fascinating.”
The experience has also introduced them to the unwritten rules and courtroom etiquette that can only be learned through observation and practice.
“One of my favorite things has been learning courtroom etiquette,” Britt said.
“Judge Graham takes the time to explain why certain things happen and what attorneys should know when they appear before a judge.”
Both students repeatedly credited Judge Graham for making the internship meaningful and educational.
“He genuinely cares about this program and about helping future lawyers,” Britt said. “He’s taken the time to explain things, answer questions and expose us to so many different parts of the legal system.”
As the fellowship continues, both women say they leave each day with a greater appreciation for the legal profession and the role attorneys play in helping people navigate difficult situations.
Perhaps most importantly, the experience has reminded them that the law is ultimately about people.
“Law school can sometimes make everything feel very black and white,” Jenkins said.
“Being here has reminded me that this profession is really about people and relationships.
Seeing the way Judge Graham treats everyone with dignity and respect has restored a lot of my faith in what this profession can be.”
For two future attorneys still deciding exactly where their careers will take them, the summer has provided valuable lessons not only about the law, but about service, community and the difference one person can make in the lives of others.
