Allie Wolff

My name is Allie Wolff and I will be a senior at The University of Wisconsin-Madison this year with an expected graduation date of December 2019.  I will be receiving two bachelors degrees, one in Psychology and one in Legal Studies as well as a certificate in Criminal Justice.  This past summer, I interned with Meltzer & Bell P.A., DUI & Criminal Trial Lawyers.

This experience has been eye-opening to me.  I not only learned more about the practical application of Juris Prudence, but I also learned that judgment while guided by law is largely up to people, their interpretation of the law, intent, circumstance, and humanity, but most of all the value of effective counsel.  I experienced many aspects of running a private practice including planning, scheduling, collections, interviewing and negotiation.  I also learned much about the court system as I had the opportunity to follow clients working with our attorneys from initial consultation through trial prep, the trial itself, and post-trial outcome.  In many cases, the question of innocence or guilt was not the focus of our attorneys, it was their right to effective counsel and a speedy resolution.  I experienced countless situations where our attorneys got great outcomes including complete acquittals for clients. Through this experience, I developed a true respect for legal strategy, the need for the prosecution to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt with evidence, and the importance of the capability and strategy of the lawyers on each side.  Furthermore, I learned the importance of the right of the accused to have effective representation.

I am grateful for the Audrey J. Harris Summer Internship Award and for being recognized as a serious student in the ways of the law.  I am honored to have received the award and look forward to honoring the legal profession as well as my family and school as my career continues to develop.