Summer Experiences: Millie Cripe, ’24, Honors Intern, New York City Law Department, Legal Counsel Division (NYC)
Millie Cripe, ’24, spent the first half of her the summer as an honors intern in the New York City Law Department’s Legal Counsel Division. She is spending the second part of the summer interning in the office of US Senator Amy Klobuchar, ’85 (D-Minn.) on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Cripe would like to work in government after she graduates, particularly on issues relating to wealth inequality.
How did you connect with this summer opportunity?
I knew I wanted to find a position in government during my 2L summer, working at the intersection of law and public policy, but I wasn’t sure at what level. I loved Local Government Law with Professor [Lee] Fennell in the fall, and I lived in New York City before law school, so I started looking for opportunities in its government. The Law Department has a large, paid summer internship program. After reading about the divisions, I applied to work in Legal Counsel—it advises other parts of city government on the legality of policy actions they’re considering, which seemed like exactly the type of work I was interested in doing.
I wanted to use the long UChicago summer to try working at another level of government as well, so I’m spending the second half of my summer interning with Senator Klobuchar’s office on the Senate Judiciary Committee. I’ve never worked on the Hill before so I think it should be a fascinating experience.
How do your summer experiences connect with what you currently envision doing with your law degree?
This summer has solidified my desire to work in government in the long term. I’m passionate about using social policy to disrupt intergenerational transfers of inequality, and I’ve loved the chance to dig into the weeds of the legal structures of those policies.
Please describe a “typical” day at work.
My days are usually a mix of a few things. Legal Counsel Division gets questions from other parts of city government, including the Mayor’s Office and the City Council, about the legality of policies and actions they’re considering—the people who pose questions to us are our clients. I spend most of my time doing research and writing memos on bigger legal questions that have come to the Division and that require extended research. The Division is very collaborative, so I’ll usually stop by an attorney’s office to update them on my research and get their take on what I’m finding. I also join calls with our clients on questions that other attorneys are researching.
What is something you learned or experienced that was surprising or particularly compelling during this summer position?
In the third week, all Law Department interns went on a boat tour hosted by an attorney from the Environmental Law Department. We went up and down the East River, around Brooklyn to Red Point, and circled Governor’s Island. Throughout the tour, the attorney pointed out the Law Department’s role in facilitating the development of what we saw. It’s given me a deeper appreciation for the way law shapes everything about the built environment in a city.
What are a couple of your key takeaways from the experience so far?
Local government law is so important! I’ve come to believe that the policy choices made at the local level—such as how much housing to produce, and how to fund education—are some of the most important drivers of equity. And the range of policy choices available, and effectiveness of those policies, is dependent on state and local laws. I also love the attorneys that I work with, who are all passionate about public service and have helped me improve my legal research and analysis skills.
What advice would you offer another law student contemplating working in a similar position next summer?
Definitely apply! And take Local Government Law.
How are you spending your free time this summer?
It’s been so great getting to spend time with all my friends who live in the city.
What are you most looking forward to in returning to UChicago Law this fall?
Everything, but especially seeing my friends, swimming in the lake, and my 3L classes.