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Adeola Bisoye Abatan, LL.M. '19, was among the Program in International Human Rights Law students to spend Summer 2019 at an internship. Abatan worked as an intern at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid or TRLA, in Austin.

Abatan is from Ogun State in Nigeria, where she was called to the Nigerian bar in 2012. She received her law degree, and LL.B, at Babcock University. She practiced commercial and administrative law before electing to change the focus of her practice. She plans to advocate for the less privileged and underrepresented. The mission at TRLA sounds as though it is a good fit for Abatan's future career goals. The nonprofit law firm provides free legal services to low income earners, specializing in over 45 practice areas with offices in 68 counties in its coverage area.

In her role as an intern, Abatan developed cases by supporting staff attorneys with research and other litigation-related services. She also helped organize community outreach programs, and worked closely with the firm's Community Development team. The team works to combat inequalities in housing, infrastructure, and environmental injustices. Abatan also worked with attorneys in the domestic violence/family law practice area, and with those who practice immigration law at TRLA.

Abatan plans to pursue public interest law for her one-year Optional Practical Training. She decided to take part in a PIHRL internship based upon the experience of previous interns, and to build on what she'd learned at IU McKinney.

"PIHRL internships create a bridge from schoolwork to professional practice, while acquiring new skills and honing existing ones," Abatan said. "It also allows me to explore different areas of law which will help me gain clarity and make career decisions."

In the photo, Abatan is at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid in Austin.