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HaydenSmithFirstEssay 3 - 30 Apr 2025 - Main.HaydenSmith
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Becoming The Lawyer I Want To Be: A Reflection on Purpose and Integrity
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< | BATTLE FOR THE RULE OF LAW: My Path to Public Interest and the Role of the Rising Lawyers | | | | |
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< | -- By HaydenSmith - 19 Feb 2025 | >
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By Hayden Smith | | | | |
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> | I. Reconsidering My Career Path | | | | |
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< | I. The Path to Public Interest | >
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The plan was to return to Big Law after graduation. The path felt safe. It was financially secure, prestigious, and familiar. I told myself that it provided the best option to pay down my loans and keep doors open. However, during this past year, especially in light of recent political developments, including the Trump administration scandal involving Mayor Eric Adams, I started feeling uneasy about the idea of practicing law in service of institutions I don’t fully believe in. See Scott McFarlane? , et al., Prosecutors File Motion to Drop Corruption Charges Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, CBS NEWS (updated Feb. 15, 2025, 9:31 PM EST), https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nyc-mayor-eric-adams-motion-to-drop-charges/. And by my fifth or so week into this course, I began asking myself: if the rule of law is under attack, do I want to sit on the sidelines, or do I want to be where I can make a difference?
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< | Over the past few months, I have reflected deeply on my next career move after graduation. Initially, I considered returning to Big Law to quickly pay off my student loans. However, I have come to realize that my skills are needed elsewhere. Recent attacks on the rule of law by President Trump, including Elon Musk’s attempt to illegally access Department of Treasury documents and efforts to pressure the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) into dropping corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, highlight the urgent need for legal professionals committed to upholding democracy. It has become clear to me that state attorneys general and public interest litigation groups are the last line of defense against the erosion of the rule of law. Consequently, I have shifted my job search away from big law firms and toward public interest work, focusing on opportunities with state attorneys general, judiciary counsel positions with Democratic members of Congress, and fellowships with organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). I believe my legal training should be dedicated to litigation efforts that counteract this administration’s threats to democracy. | >
> | That question stayed with me. The erosion of democratic institutions, growing attacks on the prosecutor’s independence, and attempts to evade legal accountability have made it clear that something more is being asked of lawyers in this moment. As I reflect on my values and experiences, I believe that my role lies outside of Big Law. | | | | |
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> | II. A Shift in Perspective | | | | |
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< | II. Events that Led to My Decision | >
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This shift was not driven by a single event. Rather, it built slowly—from internships, clerkships, and conversations to the current targeting the nation’s largest law firms. I had the privilege of working for judges on both the Sixth and Second Circuits, and I witnessed firsthand what principled legal reasoning looks like. Conversely, I have seen what happens when political figures try to subvert those principles. When news broke that prosecutors resigned from the Southern District of New York after being pressured to drop charges against a high-profile elected official, it hit me harder than I expected. See id. Maybe it is because I worked there, maybe because I revere the integrity of that office, or maybe because it made the stakes of this moment feel personal.
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< | A. Trump Corruption Involving the Indictment of Mayor Adams | | | | |
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< | On February 10, 2025—just 21 days after taking office—President Trump sent a memo to Acting U.S. Attorney for SDNY, Danielle Sassoon, requesting the dismissal of all pending charges against Mayor Adams. These charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States, wire fraud, soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, and bribery. Notably, the Department of Justice (DOJ) did not assess the strength of the evidence before making its request. Instead, it justified its position on two grounds: (1) concerns that the timing of the charges, coupled with public actions by the prior U.S. Attorney Damien Williams, could undermine the case’s integrity, and (2) the belief that the indictment the indictment of Mayor Adams has “unduly restricted [his] ability to devote full attention and resources” to President Trump’s immigration agenda. The charges were to be dismissed “without prejudice,” meaning they could be refiled at any time. In effect, this move allows Trump to monitor and possibly control Adams' compliance with his administration’s policies—an act that constitutes textbook quid pro quo corruption. | >
> | Regardless of the reason, I began to question what I was chasing. Was I chasing prestige for prestige’s sake? Was I choosing a career that looked good on paper, but did not align with my values? The honest answer is yes. | | |
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> | III. Doubt, Conviction, and Something In Between | | | | |
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< | B. The Resignation of DOJ Prosecutors | >
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Of course, there is no neat answer to these questions, and I still have my doubts. There is a version of this story where I say: “I am called to public interest work out of moral clarity and unwavering purpose.” However, that would not be true to how most of us make decisions.
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< | In protest of this blatant abuse of prosecutorial discretion, Sassoon submitted her resignation, stating that dismissing the charges was improper. She emphasized that the indictment was returned by a constitutionally sound grand jury and that SDNY possessed strong evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Her resignation deeply resonated with me for two reasons. First, Sassoon, a Federalist Society member and former law clerk to Justice Scalia, was handpicked by the Trump administration to lead SDNY. In today’s hyper-partisan political climate, the fact that even a conservative legal figure found the administration’s interference unacceptable underscores the severity of the threat to the rule of law. Second, as a law student and former SDNY intern, I take immense pride in the office’s work and understand the duty of prosecutors to enforce the law in good faith. Political interference in prosecutorial decisions not only undermines the integrity of the legal system but also erodes public trust in law enforcement—trust that is essential to a functioning democracy. Given these circumstances, I feel compelled to contribute in any way I can. | >
> | The truth is messier. I’m drawn to public interest work because I want to fight for something bigger than myself. But I am also scared. Public interest law does not come with the same safety net. It means making less money. It might mean slower professional advancement. And it definitely means facing uphill battles, both legally and politically. But at some point, I had to ask myself what kind of lawyer I want to be—not just what kind of job I want to have. That question became harder to ignore as I watched the nation’s largest law firms succumb to extortion by Trump, ultimately paying to avoid scrutiny. See Ali Banco, Titans of Big Law Cut Deal with Trump, POLITICO (Apr. 11, 2025, 2:56 PM EST), https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/11/trump-big-law-deals-033630. | | | | |
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< | III. Critiques & Next Steps | >
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I want to be the kind of lawyer who is trusted to do hard things for the right reasons, who shows up when institutions falter, and who uses their training to protect the vulnerable, challenge power, and stand up for democratic principles—even when it’s inconvenient.
IV. Thinking Through My Next Step | | | | |
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< | One major critique of relying on public interest litigation to counter Trump’s threats to the rule of law is the possibility that he may simply ignore unfavorable court orders. Over the past month, Trump has signed numerous executive orders that have faced immediate legal challenges in federal courts. Critics argue that he might choose to act beyond his constitutional authority and disregard judicial rulings that do not align with his agenda. In such cases, courts can impose fines, sanctions, or even jail time. However, to my knowledge, no sitting president has ever faced such penalties. While this concern is valid, litigation remains one of the most powerful tools available to uphold the rule of law. The ACLU currently has over 434 active legal actions against Trump, and state attorneys general across the country are filing lawsuits to mitigate the damage caused by his administration. Although these legal battles will be difficult, history has shown that the pursuit of justice, equality, and democracy has never been easy—but perseverance has always led to progress. | >
> | In seeking post-graduation opportunities, I have been applying to public interest fellowships, government oversight roles, and advocacy groups that focus on civil rights and anti-corruption. I am interested in working with a state attorney general, serving on a congressional oversight committee, or joining an organization like the ACLU that’s willing to litigate against this administration.
But I am also trying to remain open. There are many ways to do this work, and I know that careers rarely follow a linear path. What matters most is finding a place where I can use the skills I’ve worked to develop—legal research, writing, litigation strategy—to serve the public and protect our democracy. | | |
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< | IV. Takeaways | >
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Legal training can be a shield or a sword. It can be used to justify unjust power or to fight against it. I take that responsibility seriously. And as I continue to think about my future, I keep coming back to the question that I first asked in my personal statement to law school: what does it mean to be a lawyer?
V. A Less Perfect, More Honest Answer | | | | |
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< | With great power comes great responsibility. As law students and future legal professionals, we have been given the tools to fight for justice, and we must take a stand. That stand will look different for everyone. Some may join litigation-focused nonprofits or state attorneys general who are challenging the administration. Others may work with community organizers, legislators, or members of Congress committed to defending democratic institutions. And above all, we must exercise our right to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. Doing so will ensure that democrats retake the U.S. House of Representatives, which will act as a check against any legislation Trump seeks to push though Congress. The rule of law is not self-sustaining; it requires vigilance, dedication, and courage. My decision to pursue a career in public interest law is driven by the recognition that democracy does not defend itself—we, as future lawyer, must be the ones to do so. | >
> | When I applied to law school, I wrote about wanting to help restore public trust in the legal system. Back then, I didn’t fully grasp how hard that work would be—or how many compromises and competing pressures I would face. Nevertheless, I still believe that work is worth doing. So, here is where I am now: not certain but committed; not done figuring it all out, but ready to step into the next chapter with a clearer sense of purpose than when I arrived at Columbia. | | | | |
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Because this essay is at its heart a personal statement, it seems to me that editorially it would be wise to reduce the external narrative material to the minimum, which can be done by turning, e.g. the narrative of the Eric Adams situation into a couple of sentences and some links to the coverage. Spending hundreds of words on the early history of the second Trump Administration seems to me unnecessary and probably counterproductive. | | | | |
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< | The space regained could present the human being at the center in a slightly more complex light. Perhaps more scrutiny of personal motive, less the story of heroic moral insight and more reflective of what actually goes on inside us as we make our life decisions, would become available if there were more space. Autobiography is always a little less than perfectly candid, of course, but it seems to me that we could benefit of a less varnished account of your travels.
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I am not choosing public interest law because I have all the answers. I choose it because I believe the questions we now face as a country demand lawyers who are willing to engage. This includes lawyers who are willing to speak up when norms are violated and lawyers who believe that the rule of law only matters if we defend it—not just when it is easy, but specifically when it is hard. That is the kind of lawyer I hope to become.
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HaydenSmithFirstEssay 2 - 15 Apr 2025 - Main.EbenMoglen
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| | | With great power comes great responsibility. As law students and future legal professionals, we have been given the tools to fight for justice, and we must take a stand. That stand will look different for everyone. Some may join litigation-focused nonprofits or state attorneys general who are challenging the administration. Others may work with community organizers, legislators, or members of Congress committed to defending democratic institutions. And above all, we must exercise our right to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. Doing so will ensure that democrats retake the U.S. House of Representatives, which will act as a check against any legislation Trump seeks to push though Congress. The rule of law is not self-sustaining; it requires vigilance, dedication, and courage. My decision to pursue a career in public interest law is driven by the recognition that democracy does not defend itself—we, as future lawyer, must be the ones to do so.
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Because this essay is at its heart a personal statement, it seems to me that editorially it would be wise to reduce the external narrative material to the minimum, which can be done by turning, e.g. the narrative of the Eric Adams situation into a couple of sentences and some links to the coverage. Spending hundreds of words on the early history of the second Trump Administration seems to me unnecessary and probably counterproductive.
The space regained could present the human being at the center in a slightly more complex light. Perhaps more scrutiny of personal motive, less the story of heroic moral insight and more reflective of what actually goes on inside us as we make our life decisions, would become available if there were more space. Autobiography is always a little less than perfectly candid, of course, but it seems to me that we could benefit of a less varnished account of your travels.
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HaydenSmithFirstEssay 1 - 19 Feb 2025 - Main.HaydenSmith
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BATTLE FOR THE RULE OF LAW: My Path to Public Interest and the Role of the Rising Lawyers
-- By HaydenSmith - 19 Feb 2025
I. The Path to Public Interest
Over the past few months, I have reflected deeply on my next career move after graduation. Initially, I considered returning to Big Law to quickly pay off my student loans. However, I have come to realize that my skills are needed elsewhere. Recent attacks on the rule of law by President Trump, including Elon Musk’s attempt to illegally access Department of Treasury documents and efforts to pressure the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) into dropping corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, highlight the urgent need for legal professionals committed to upholding democracy. It has become clear to me that state attorneys general and public interest litigation groups are the last line of defense against the erosion of the rule of law. Consequently, I have shifted my job search away from big law firms and toward public interest work, focusing on opportunities with state attorneys general, judiciary counsel positions with Democratic members of Congress, and fellowships with organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). I believe my legal training should be dedicated to litigation efforts that counteract this administration’s threats to democracy.
II. Events that Led to My Decision
A. Trump Corruption Involving the Indictment of Mayor Adams
On February 10, 2025—just 21 days after taking office—President Trump sent a memo to Acting U.S. Attorney for SDNY, Danielle Sassoon, requesting the dismissal of all pending charges against Mayor Adams. These charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States, wire fraud, soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, and bribery. Notably, the Department of Justice (DOJ) did not assess the strength of the evidence before making its request. Instead, it justified its position on two grounds: (1) concerns that the timing of the charges, coupled with public actions by the prior U.S. Attorney Damien Williams, could undermine the case’s integrity, and (2) the belief that the indictment the indictment of Mayor Adams has “unduly restricted [his] ability to devote full attention and resources” to President Trump’s immigration agenda. The charges were to be dismissed “without prejudice,” meaning they could be refiled at any time. In effect, this move allows Trump to monitor and possibly control Adams' compliance with his administration’s policies—an act that constitutes textbook quid pro quo corruption.
B. The Resignation of DOJ Prosecutors
In protest of this blatant abuse of prosecutorial discretion, Sassoon submitted her resignation, stating that dismissing the charges was improper. She emphasized that the indictment was returned by a constitutionally sound grand jury and that SDNY possessed strong evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Her resignation deeply resonated with me for two reasons. First, Sassoon, a Federalist Society member and former law clerk to Justice Scalia, was handpicked by the Trump administration to lead SDNY. In today’s hyper-partisan political climate, the fact that even a conservative legal figure found the administration’s interference unacceptable underscores the severity of the threat to the rule of law. Second, as a law student and former SDNY intern, I take immense pride in the office’s work and understand the duty of prosecutors to enforce the law in good faith. Political interference in prosecutorial decisions not only undermines the integrity of the legal system but also erodes public trust in law enforcement—trust that is essential to a functioning democracy. Given these circumstances, I feel compelled to contribute in any way I can.
III. Critiques & Next Steps
One major critique of relying on public interest litigation to counter Trump’s threats to the rule of law is the possibility that he may simply ignore unfavorable court orders. Over the past month, Trump has signed numerous executive orders that have faced immediate legal challenges in federal courts. Critics argue that he might choose to act beyond his constitutional authority and disregard judicial rulings that do not align with his agenda. In such cases, courts can impose fines, sanctions, or even jail time. However, to my knowledge, no sitting president has ever faced such penalties. While this concern is valid, litigation remains one of the most powerful tools available to uphold the rule of law. The ACLU currently has over 434 active legal actions against Trump, and state attorneys general across the country are filing lawsuits to mitigate the damage caused by his administration. Although these legal battles will be difficult, history has shown that the pursuit of justice, equality, and democracy has never been easy—but perseverance has always led to progress.
IV. Takeaways
With great power comes great responsibility. As law students and future legal professionals, we have been given the tools to fight for justice, and we must take a stand. That stand will look different for everyone. Some may join litigation-focused nonprofits or state attorneys general who are challenging the administration. Others may work with community organizers, legislators, or members of Congress committed to defending democratic institutions. And above all, we must exercise our right to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. Doing so will ensure that democrats retake the U.S. House of Representatives, which will act as a check against any legislation Trump seeks to push though Congress. The rule of law is not self-sustaining; it requires vigilance, dedication, and courage. My decision to pursue a career in public interest law is driven by the recognition that democracy does not defend itself—we, as future lawyer, must be the ones to do so.
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