In a political landscape where journalists face increasing threats to their work, rising 2L Doris Zhang is doing everything she can to protect freedom of speech. This summer, she is interning at the Reporter’s Committee for the Freedom of the Press in Washington, D.C., a nonprofit that provides pro bono legal services organization for journalists and newsrooms in the U.S..
What is your position this summer?
I am a legal intern at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, based in Washington, D.C. The Reporters Committee is a nonprofit organization that provides pro bono legal representation, amicus curiae support, and other legal resources to protect First Amendment freedoms and the news gathering rights of journalists. I am working in my position through an externship generously supported by Fordham’s Stein Scholars program.
What about this role stood out to you?
I was a student journalist throughout college and wanted to use my legal training to protect the work of journalists, especially in a time of increased hostility toward the media. I also loved working as a communications intern at the Reporters Committee in college and was inspired by the work done by the attorneys there. I saw the diversity of the work attorneys at the Reporters Committee do and wanted to return for a legal internship.
What are you most excited about for this opportunity?
It has been incredibly exciting to work on a wide range of projects at the Reporters Committee, from legal research and pre-publication review to drafting sections of an amicus brief. I am grateful to all the attorneys who have given me guidance and feedback as I dive into different types of assignments.
I have also been excited to see some of the concepts I learned in my 1L classes like Civil Procedure and Legislation & Regulation become relevant in the background of my work. Through the work I’m doing, I’m truly able to appreciate all that I have learned from my Fordham professors just in one short year.
What has been your favorite part of the experience so far?
I have been working on a pre-publication review project for a documentary, reviewing the film for potential source protection and defamation litigation risks. I was able to participate in the client meeting—it was an honor to meet someone who had poured years of work into the documentary and trusted us to help prepare it for release.
On a fun note, I had a great time participating in the office’s annual bake-off competition and sampling my colleague’s culinary creations. I was told this year was the most impressive showing of the bake-off to date!
What are you interested in studying at law school?
I am most interested in how to use the law to protect free expression. Specifically, as a former student journalist, I’m interested in using media law to protect journalists and their work of informing the public.
What is your hometown and where did you go to college?
I was born in New York City but spent most of my childhood in China and attended high school in Massachusetts. I was a philosophy and math double major at Georgetown University.
How do you think this summer experience will help you when you return to Fordham Law and/or your career?
My summer experience has shown me that what I’ve learned in the classroom is not theoretical but incredibly applicable to the world of media and First Amendment law. I’m excited to return to Fordham Law this fall with some practical experience that will help me see more real-world applications of the law we learn in the classroom.
This summer, hundreds of rising 2Ls and 3Ls from Fordham Law are gaining hands-on experience across the country and around the globe. Whether working as summer associates, judicial interns, or fellows, they’re building professional networks, sharpening their legal skills, and exploring their areas of interest through meaningful, real-world engagement. Follow @fordhamlawnyc to read more stories about Fordham Law students’ summer experiences in our #futurefordhamlawyers series.