Cait McKee, a rising 3L, has spent her summer at the Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights, a civil and human rights coalition. Since she also interned in 2022 with coalition member Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Cait was able to further develop her connections with the group.
“It truly is an amazing work environment with a very passionate and supportive staff that want to help us all succeed. Our CEO, Maya Wiley, is also very involved even with us interns,” Cait says of her time at the Leadership Conference. “I work on three teams: Fair Courts, Government Affairs, and Fighting Hate & Bias, and I have recently been able to join a human rights project. All of the teams are very diverse in their work, so I get diverse projects.”
Cait says her typical day and workweek at the Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights varies a lot.
“I take notes at congressional hearings and task force meetings, do scans on federal judicial nominees that President Biden has just announced, and draft advocacy letters and calls to action,” Cait explains. “I also do general research, provide notes for meetings our CEO will be attending, and aid in drafting blog posts.”
Though Cait points out that Supreme Court decisions this summer have gone against the coalition’s work, she says she is grateful to be working at the Leadership Conference during a difficult time.
“The Leadership Conference has provided a safe and supportive space to process all of this and what it means going forward. I have been so inspired by their resilience and hope for the future that they are still fighting for,” Cait says. “Their work at protecting civil and human rights for all continues, and they aren’t losing hope.”
As Cait returns to S.J. Quinney for her final year of law school, she expresses gratitude for “amazing professors” who are teaching unique classes but also supporting her in navigating law school and cheering her on.
“After graduation, I plan on continuing to work in human rights on the domestic or even international level. I want to continue the work I am passionate about and work with individuals who are harmed by institutions,” Cait expresses. “As all of my classmates can attest, I am very passionate about human rights and advocacy work. I love that the law provides so many opportunities, whether in litigation, policy, nonprofits, or otherwise, to be able to work with individuals and communities that are oppressed.”
Learn more about Cait in her video spotlight below.