Quickofwit

I've spent the past 10 years as a public defender. For the first five years I represented clients who were charged with capital murder or on death row. For the past five years I have represented clients charged with or convicted of federal felonies, mostly in appellate and postconviction proceedings. I have always loved working with my clients: interviewing them, visiting them, counseling them, listening to them, piecing together the stories of their lives, especially their biopsychosocial histories. I am a good defender, but researching the law, drafting memoranda and briefs, and arguing in court do not provide the same personal and professional satisfaction that I get from my client interaction. In fact, I enjoy being a CASA Volunteer more than I enjoy being a lawyer. To be honest, I went to law school because I wanted to make a difference and chose the law based upon the erroneous assumption that it would allow me to have the greatest impact. Having succeeded in the face of so many obstacles, I felt a need to help those who had not. I was also drawn to the financial security it provided, which was very important to me as the first person in my family to complete the tenth grade. If I had it to do over again . . . I can't, but I can make a difference and do what I love by becoming an LCSW and providing mental health services to those who are at risk of becoming offenders and the children of incarcerated parents. My fear is that my professional experience will be viewed negatively. So I am seeking guidance on how to avoid that fear being born out. In addition to working as a CASA Volunteer, I spent two years in VISTA pror to law school working as a Communities in Schools site coordinator and program coordinator for a daytime homeless shelter. So I have human services experiences outside of the legal field. And I know that my legal experience does not equate to social work experience and that I will have to reorient myself and immerse myself in my education. You have to know what you don't know to learn and advance. For that reason, I plan on going to school full-time. So what can I do in the application process to minimize the likelihood that my experience as a public defender works against me? And, as a follow up, how can I make my experience work for me and not against me while in school. Any input is greatly appreciated.