We are grateful for the excellent efforts this summer of our 2023 externs, Guozhen Xiao (Penn State Dickinson Law) and Lucas Mason-Moyer (Temple University Beasley School of Law) for their work supporting our Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and Tenant Rights teams made an enormous difference in the lives of our clients and communities.
As a Chinese lawyer, human rights activist and author who overcame tremendous odds, Guozhen Xiao joined SeniorLAW Center as an accomplished professional. She always dreamed of practicing law with a global perspective. Upon arriving in the United States, she eagerly pursued her goal of practicing American law. In 2020, she applied to law school after meeting two self-imposed conditions: improving her English and ensuring her children were more independent. Gouzhen strongly believes that the well-being of older people is of the utmost importance, especially during their advanced years stating, “It is vital for them to live with dignity, have access to necessities, and maintain a positive outlook on life”. During her summer, she helped with the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Project, went to court with her supervising attorney, assisted with case management and intake, and attended the first meeting of the Grandparents Justice Council. Guozhen states: “Working at SeniorLAW Center brought me great joy. I am honored to be able to provide our clients with skilled service while under the guidance of my supervisor, Attorney Heather Kelly, Esq. It fills me with a sense of achievement to be a part of this team.” Gouzhen will be interning for the Honorable Jessica Brewbaker, Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas, in the fall and traveling internationally to work at the Hague in the Spring semester.
Lucas Mason-Moyer’s journey from teaching in Minnesota to pursuing a career in law also inspired us. Although he loved teaching, he knew that his true calling lay elsewhere. His desire to make a positive impact led him to the legal field, where he could help older Pennsylvanians with their legal concerns. His internship at SeniorLAW has given him the opportunity to do just that, and he is grateful for the chance to make a difference in the lives of others stating “At SeniorLAW Center, I really expanded my knowledge of the day-to-day workings the legal profession. I was able to see attorneys and legal advocates conduct intakes, draft documents for court, and serve as advocates for clients, all of which I had limited experience seeing before.” Through the experience of working as part of the Lawyer of the Day program in Landlord/Tenant Court in Philadelphia, he not only assisted in intake and observed firsthand the functions of Municipal Court but was also able to assist and observe attorneys from SeniorLAW Center in action as they represented low-income tenants who arrived to court without counsel on that day. Jacob Speidel, Esq. Director of our Tenant Rights project states “Lucas has been an excellent addition to our Tenant Rights team for the summer. He is a quick learner, a hard worker, and a great person to work with. We will miss him and hope he will be back at SeniorLAW Center again in the future!”
SeniorLAW Center was able to provide Luke with a valuable opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of everyday operations in the public interest law. He was able to assist with intake, draft legal documents, attend collaborative systemic advocacy meetings, and help advocate for our clients. This experience expanded his knowledge and expertise in landlord-tenant law, including the statutes and case laws that govern it in Philadelphia. In the fall, Luke will be participating in an international exchange program at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy.
We know Guozhen and Lucas will shine as they pursue their legal careers. Keep in touch and keep public interest and pro bono in your worlds!