When I first stepped into law school, I envisioned a future in patent law, fueled by my background as a research biologist. Little did I know, a single experience would completely redirect my path.
Upon enrolling at California Western School of Law in 2020, I hadn’t planned on joining the New Media Rights Clinic. My journey took an unexpected turn during an internship with the Honorable Judge Karen Crawford.
She suggested I attend a panel on privacy law, and I was instantly captivated. Privacy law was dynamic, fast-paced and ever-changing. It wasn’t just about legal precedents; it was about protecting personal data and privacy rights in a digital world, especially for women. I felt an immediate connection to this field and knew I had to pivot my career plans.
That’s when I found the New Media Rights Clinic.
The New Media Rights Clinic at California Western School of Law not only introduced me to the fascinating world of privacy law but also ignited a passion that I never knew existed. This clinic, dedicated to helping creators and innovators navigate legal challenges, became the cornerstone of my legal education and transformed my career trajectory in the most unexpected and rewarding way.
California Western has multiple legal clinics, but the New Media Rights Clinic is unique. Though all the legal clinics provide free legal services to the community, the New Media Rights clinic is specifically dedicated to servicing creators, entrepreneurs and innovators. The clinic not only helps these individuals navigate their legal challenges but also offers students invaluable hands-on experience.
Under the guidance of Art Neill and Erika Lee, the clinic’s executive director and assistant director, I dove headfirst into real-world legal work that was both thrilling and deeply rewarding. One of my first projects was helping a local children’s book author who had been dreaming of inspiring young readers for ages. She finally got her big break with a chance to publish her book, and we helped her draft a contract that would protect her rights and ensure her dream could shine brightly.
But that wasn’t all. My clinic partner and I also assisted an aspiring filmmaker who wanted to memorialize her heritage and culture. She aimed to share her community’s stories with the world through a documentary. Thanks to the contracts we drafted, she could use footage from community interviews, bringing her vision to life and preserving her cultural legacy for others to appreciate.
Every day at the clinic was filled with new challenges, from answering clients’ questions about their legal rights to navigating the intricate maze of privacy regulations. The work was exhilarating and reaffirmed my passion for privacy law. The ever-evolving landscape of privacy regulations kept me on my toes, pushing me to stay informed and continually learn. Privacy law became more than just a career choice; it became a cause I deeply cared about.
More than anything, my time at the New Media Rights Clinic taught me how to be a lawyer and a lifelong learner. Art and Erika emphasized the importance of continuous learning and adapting to new information. They taught me to approach each client with empathy, listen actively and communicate clearly. Our clients relied on us to help them achieve their dreams, whether they were authors, documentarians or entrepreneurs. Providing them with the best possible legal guidance was both a responsibility and a privilege.
Graduating from California Western School of Law and passing the bar were significant milestones, but it’s the New Media Rights Clinic that truly made me a lawyer.
Hsu graduated from California Western School of Law in spring 2023. She is currently a senior privacy compliance analyst for Pacific Life and lives in Newport Beach.
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