Trope and Trope Fellowship Makes Impact on Center, USC Student and Community
Designed to foster passion for public interest, the Trope and Trope Fellowship annually affords one University of Southern California School of Law student with an opportunity to be immersed in family law as a summer intern at the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law. Sorrell Trope, distinguished co-founder and principal of the firm, forged an early relationship with the Center nearly three decades ago. A fervent believer in the obligation of lawyers to give back to their community and a mentor to the Center’s namesake, Harriett Buhai, Mr. Trope committed to the fellowship 18 years ago. He takes pride in the fact that there are now 17 “Trope” graduates of the Fellowship, and that the 18th, Amelia Edwards, has joined their ranks for the summer.
Like her predecessors, Amelia’s hands-on educational experience at the Center has exposed her to the “real side” of lawyering and the concrete results the Center provides for its clients. Recently, she helped a teen client free herself from a longtime partner who was emotionally, sexually and physically abusive. In a letter to Sorrell Trope, Amelia remarked, “…it was amazing to see the impact that my work could have…..thank you for a wonderful and exciting experience….at the Center I am challenged every day.”
Life as a Trope and Trope Fellow
Each year, one outstanding student is chosen among a worthy pool of candidates to participate in the 10-week fellowship program. Under the guidance and supervision of experienced Center staff attorneys, the student will interview clients, draft pleadings, conduct legal research for trials briefs and assist clients with filing documents with the court. By participating in client interviews and assessments, the student is presented with an occasion to hone their client communication and counseling skills. The Center supervising attorneys also encourage the student to exercise their analytical skills by assisting with case strategy and management.