Summer Experiences: Jessica Ritchie, ’25, DOJ Criminal Division, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (Washington, DC)
Jessica Ritchie, ’25, is working this summer in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Criminal Division as a legal intern in the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). She has found the environment in her workplace supportive, which is important in dealing with the difficult subject matter that her work entails.
How did you connect with this summer opportunity?
I connected with this summer opportunity after applying as a legal volunteer intern for the Department of Justice’s summer internship program. I spoke with several UChicago Law students who had previously worked at the DOJ during their 1L or 2L summer to get a sense of the different sections and what kind of work I might enjoy. From there, I applied to the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) directly and am incredibly happy that I landed here.
How does your experience as a legal intern with what you currently envision doing with your law degree?
Working with CEOS and the Department of Justice directly connects with what I envision doing with my law degree—working with and representing people whose fundamental human rights have been violated. I have thoroughly enjoyed combining my passion for advocacy with my interest in the law and am excited to take what I’ve learned this summer into my future legal experiences.
Please describe a “typical” day at work.
My typical day at work predominantly centers on conducting research on Westlaw for a variety of projects and drafting memos and motions that relate to different cases. I’ve had the opportunity to work with different attorneys in the office on a range of issues relating to the exploitation and abuse of children, including different circuits’ interpretations of “persuades, induces, entices, or coerces” from 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b), ways in which prosecution teams can anticipate and overcome common potential defenses in child sexual exploitation cases, and different protections minor victims are entitled to during a trial.
What is something you learned or experienced that was surprising or particularly compelling during this summer position?
I have found a number of things particularly compelling and surprising this summer, including: Children can start forming memories of traumatic experiences beginning when they are just a few months old, and well before they can verbally express this trauma; legal standards are not adapted based on the defendant’s mental health status; and how the rise of artificial intelligence influences the consumption of child sexual abuse material.
What are a couple of your key takeaways from the experience so far?
When dealing with such tough material, being in a supportive environment makes a big difference. I have really appreciated how supported I have felt in both the ability to talk through these challenging cases but also to ask questions about complex legal issues as well as basic matters that we did not have the chance to cover in our first year of law school.
What advice would you offer another law student contemplating working in a similar position next summer?
If a law student were contemplating working in a similar position next summer, I would encourage them to strongly consider it! Working for the Department of Justice has been an incredible experience in regard to learning not just about the work of a specific section but that of other sections and divisions as well. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with CEOS and have grown as I have been challenged with both the projects I’ve been assigned as well as the content the section sees on a day-to-day basis.
How are you spending your free time this summer?
I lived and worked in DC for more than two years between undergrad and law school, so I have really enjoyed reconnecting with my friends in the city and getting back into the swing of living in DC. I love exploring the city, trying new restaurants, and running and playing soccer, so it has been fun to make time for those activities.
What are you most looking forward to in returning to UChicago Law this fall?
I am most looking forward to seeing my law school friends, continuing to make new friends and welcoming the incoming 1Ls to campus, and immersing myself in the UChicago community. I hope to participate in a clinic, and I am excited to be back in the classroom learning about issues I am deeply interested in and gaining skills that I can take into the next steps of my legal career.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I’m happy to answer any questions that anyone might have!