Meet TIP’s Summer Intern

Get to Know TIP’s 2021 Summer Intern Catherine Cocke

Why did you choose to spend your summer at TIP?

I chose TIP for several reasons. During the past two years of law school, I have become increasingly aware of the access to justice crisis in our nation and increasingly more interested in working to change it. A lack of access to justice, especially for people without requisite financial resources, results in far too many individuals being convicted of crimes they did not commit. Spending years in prison for something you did not do is one of the most unjust situations imaginable. TIP’s work to help exonerate these innocent people is something I really wanted to be a part of. TIP’s dedication to their applicants and clients coupled their commitment to enacting legislative change really stood out to me when applying for summer jobs.

What was one experience you really enjoyed?

In particular, one experience I really enjoyed was participating in a witness interview. Getting the real-life experience talking to someone who had potentially helpful information about our client was wonderful. Additionally, the experience taught me about the various ways TIP helps to prove their applicants’ innocence.

What are some of the new things that you learned during your time with TIP?

During my time at TIP this summer, I learned a lot more about criminal procedure, the law surrounding post-conviction proceedings, problems within our criminal justice system, and, in some instances, how little it takes to convict and sentence someone to a life in prison. Learning about criminal procedure and the relevant law was very useful for my time left in law school and also for my future career. Learning about the issues within our justice system and how/why people get wrongfully convicted is something I am grateful to have learned so early on in my career and is something everybody should know more about.

How do you think your time at TIP will help you in the future?

My general goal when I graduate law school is to work for a nonprofit or in some social justice-related capacity. In my time at TIP, I have learned more about the law, but, more importantly, I have been shown the way I can use my law degree to enact real, meaningful change in people’s lives. I have met and enjoyed working with everyone at TIP and hope to maintain those connections throughout my career!

Anything else you’d like to add.

I’d like to thank TIP for the experience this summer!