We are thrilled to welcome Nefertari Elshiekh, a rising sophomore at the University of Central Florida, as our 2020 Summer Intern. Learn more about her below and say hello next time you “see” her at one of our events.

Hi! My name is Nefertari Elshiekh, and I am a rising sophomore at the University of Central Florida Burnett Honors College in Orlando where I am double majoring in economics and international and global studies. Originally from NY, last summer I had the opportunity to intern at the New York Times where I discovered my passion in advocacy through writing and storytelling. At UCF, I am on the editorial board of the Undergraduate Law Journal, where I published an article on bail reform. I am also a researcher with the Institute for Economic Forecasting where I track and write about business developments within major Florida metropolitan areas and assist with the publication of quarterly Florida and US economic forecasts. I serve on the executive board of Knight-thon, which is the university’s largest student run philanthropy event, that raises awareness and funds for our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Before graduating, I hope to be able to study abroad in the Middle East.

This summer, I decided to launch my own podcast called Alqanun: The Legal Chat with Neffie, where I interview different lawyers and law students to discuss how the current pandemic is impacting the legal field. (Alqanun means law in Arabic). You can listen to it on Apple Podcasts and Radio Public. After college, I plan to attend law school to pursue a career in either family, immigration, or human rights law with a focus on policy.

While I was very much looking forward to being able to spend my summer in Washington D.C., I am so grateful that Washington Council of Lawyers was still able to provide me with a virtual internship. I’m excited to intern with an organization whose mission closely aligns with my own interests and values. I’m looking forward to gaining more exposure to public-interest law as well as different fields of law while also helping to increase access to justice in the DC area.