Jacob Papritz

Gonzaga University School of Law, 3L

Jacob Papritz grew up on Whidbey Island and attends Gonzaga University School of Law. Papritz became interested in the law while living abroad in Southern Italy and working with African refugees. In his spare time, he enjoys fixing cars and playing with his dalmatian, Dot.

Q. What was your internship role and where was it located?

I worked as a Rule 9 intern at the Douglas County Office of Public Defense in East Wenatchee.

Q. What kind of work did you do during your summer internship?

I tell my family and friends that I spent most of my summer in jail. It’s a joke, but it’s also true. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed visiting the jail because that was where I got lots of face-to-face time with clients, and where I got to stand next to them and argue on their behalf. It was really intimidating at first (I have never loved public speaking), but I thought the benefits outweighed the initial discomfort.

Q. What motivated you to pursue this particular internship?

My internship was administrated through the state Office of Public Defense, which recently started up a program that places law students in rural communities that are often understaffed. When I found out about this opportunity, I was interested because I was raised in a rural community—on South Whidbey Island, where attorneys are few and far between. I loved where I grew up and wanted to try and give back to other similar communities in the state.

Q. How did the grant money help you? 

The grant money helped me for many reasons. I am mostly interested in public interest law. Because of that, my prior internships and work experiences had rarely paid much (or anything). As a result, I went into my 2L summer in somewhat dire financial straits. Also, I come from a family where my parents expect me to pay for school myself. This has made me especially grateful for whatever outside funding I’ve been fortunate enough to find!

Q. How did your internship help you grow as a law student and future legal practitioner?

At my internship, I had the opportunity to argue in court every day. I was really sweating the first couple times, but it was an invaluable learning experience and one I came to really enjoy. I’m grateful to my bosses and clients for allowing me to be imperfect on my way to becoming competent.

Q. Did the experience make you more or less likely to practice in a rural community after graduation? 

More likely. My first summer I worked on Whidbey Island and enjoyed getting to know the legal community there. Working in Wenatchee reinforced for me that I enjoy working in smaller towns where you get to know other people, judges, and clients on a first-name basis.

Q. Where do you plan to practice after graduating from law school, and what interests you about working in a rural community? 

I am interested in working in a rural community because I grew up in one, and because I think small communities make for healthier legal communities. In small communities there is great incentive to be cordial with people because chances are you’ll see them again soon! It’s just not practicable to be a jerk to opposing counsel or snooty to other attorneys in your practice area. Small towns reward collaboration, good manners, and lending others a hand.

Q. What are some of the challenges you foresee of practicing law in a rural community? 

As a young person, it can be socially intimidating to strike out on your own and move to a rural community, especially if it’s not the one you grew up in.

Q. What would you say to other law school students or graduates who are on the fence about moving to and working in a rural part of Washington? 

Don’t knock it till you try it! Living in a smaller town has a lot of advantages that you might not fully appreciate until you’re in one. Also, I think fears of access to common amenities are somewhat overblown. People in small towns find ways to get access to everything they need and so will you!

Alejandra Bonilla

Seattle University School of Law, 2L

Ale Bonilla (she/they, ella/elle) is the eldest of six to a single mother and was born and raised in San Jose, California. Outside of law school Bonilla enjoys spending time with her loved ones and her cat friend, Sr. Kitty. Bonilla is a social butterfly and loves to be in community.

Q. What was your internship role and where was it located? 

Intern at Northwest Justice Project (NJP) Farmworker Unit in Yakima.

Q. What kind of work did you do during your summer internship? 

This summer I had the privilege of doing cross-Washington rural outreach at H-2A and migrant farmworker housing. During outreach we provided folks with the NJP newspaper that informs workers about their rights and resources they can access. We reviewed and answered their questions about their jobs and their rights (reaching out to professionals when needed). I also worked on a memorandum assignment with supervising attorney David Morales.

Q. What motivated you to pursue this particular internship? 

I chose this opportunity because it allowed me to work closely with farmworkers. I come from a family of farmworkers, and their rights are extremely important to me. I also have loved ones living in the valley, so this opportunity allowed me to spend the summer with them during my time off. I also appreciated being able to travel through Washington and learn more about the state and its rich agricultural production.

Q. How did the grant money help you? 

The grant helped me in relocating for the summer. I had to pay my rent in Seattle and in Yakima. It also helped me buy a bike to travel to and from work in the summer. And I was able to use the funds to buy books during my 2L fall semester.

Q. How did your internship help you grow as a law student and future legal practitioner? 

This internship helped me apply what I had learned during my 1L. I was able to learn how attorneys like David Morales apply contracts and property law on a daily basis. This allowed me to imagine what lawyering really looks like. Overall I came out feeling excited to continue learning in my doctrinal classes after witnessing the material being applied in practice.

Q. Did the experience make you more or less likely to practice in a rural community after graduation? 

This experience made me more likely to practice in a rural community after graduation. I loved getting to know the community and seeing the need for my labor and commitment to the community.

Q. Where do you plan to practice after graduating from law school, and what interests you about working in a rural community? 

I cannot anticipate where I will be once I graduate. However, I enjoyed my time in Yakima with NJP and could see myself working with the Farmworker Unit with David Morales’s team.

Q. What are some of the challenges you foresee of practicing law in a rural community? 

Challenges like access to resources and to a large legal community. I witnessed this in real time while being there this summer and can imagine myself reaching out to my legal community across the state and even seeking resources outside my rural community if needed.

Q. What would you say to other law school students or graduates who are on the fence about moving to and working in a rural part of Washington? 

Community needs you! It is beautiful and there is delicious food. There is so much funding for new lawyers to relocate and start their careers in rural communities because they are in need of us.

Tori Ashley

University of Washington, 2L

Tori Ashley is a University of Washington School of Law student and lifelong Tri-Cities resident. Her experience with the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and local therapeutic courts shaped her commitment to public defense. She plans to return to Eastern Washington to address the shortage of public defenders in rural communities.
 

Q. What was your internship role and where was it located? 

Summer legal intern at the Yakima County Department of Assigned Counsel.

Q. What kind of work did you do during your summer internship? 

I worked with supervising attorneys at nearly every stage of criminal cases, both felonies and misdemeanors. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to build client skills by assisting in client intakes and first appearance consultations. I utilized the research skills I had been developing and was able to contribute to positive outcomes for clients I’d worked with.

Q. What motivated you to pursue this particular internship? 

I’m a lifelong Tri-Cities resident and plan to return home to practice public defense, so I was really intentional about how I spent my 1L summer. I wanted experience in Eastern Washington and in a community similar to my own, but with a different structure and approach. Yakima County’s Department of Assigned Counsel offered a rare opportunity for 1L students to get meaningful exposure to public defense, and learning from new attorneys in a similarly situated rural community felt like the perfect way to broaden my training.

Q. How did the grant money help you?  

The Rural Practice Internship Grant made it possible for me to take a summer position in a rural area without being limited by the cost of relocating. Because Washington’s law schools are concentrated in two cities, working elsewhere often means paying for temporary housing while still covering rent near campus. The grant removed that financial barrier and allowed me to gain experience in a new community rather than being restricted to opportunities close to my law school.

Q. How did your internship help you grow as a law student and future legal practitioner? 

This internship gave me the chance to see how public defense actually works day to day in a smaller community. Working in a system with fewer resources pushed me to think creatively and stay focused on what really matters for clients. It helped bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice and made me more confident in my ability to step into a public defense role.

Q. Did the experience make you more or less likely to practice in a rural community after graduation? 

Definitely more likely. I really valued the hands-on experience and the close working relationships I had with supervising attorneys. Being part of a smaller legal community allowed me to feel connected to the work and to the people I was serving, which reinforced that rural practice is where I want to be.

Q. Where do you plan to practice after graduating from law school, and what interests you about working in a rural community? 

I plan to return to the Tri-Cities to practice public defense. I’ve seen firsthand how the public defender shortage affects rural communities, and how delays in representation impact both defendants and the broader justice system. Working in a rural area gives me the opportunity to make a tangible difference where the need is greatest.

Q. What are some of the challenges you foresee of practicing law in a rural community? 

One of the biggest challenges is limited resources, which can mean higher caseloads and fewer support services. Rural practitioners also have to be flexible and ready to handle a wide range of issues, including conflicts. These challenges require adaptability and efficiency but also create opportunities for meaningful advocacy and leadership.

Q. What would you say to other law school students or graduates who are on the fence about moving to and working in a rural part of Washington? 

I’d encourage them to seriously consider it. Rural communities offer incredible learning opportunities, meaningful client relationships, and a chance to see the direct impact of your work. The WSBA Rural Practice Summer Internship Grant is a great way to gain new experiences.