Marks & Harrison is proud to announce that Kiana Gilcrist, a law clerk at our firm, has been recognized at the University of Richmond School of Law for her outstanding work as a student attorney in the Children’s Defense Clinic. Open to second- and third-year law students, the Defense Clinic provides students with an immersive opportunity to learn the practice of law by providing high-quality pro bono legal services to those in need.
Originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Kiana has demonstrated a longstanding interest in law and a deep-seated commitment to social justice. During high school and between semesters in college, she enjoyed working with the YMCA and similar organizations providing youth services in her hometown.
Passionate about the legal profession, she then enrolled at Duquense University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice before enrolling at Richmond Law. In her second year of law school, Kiara joined the Children’s Defense Clinic to hone her skills as an advocate.
Kiara explained, “Obviously, given the clinic’s name, you think you’re going to be working with children.” However, in addition to providing courtroom representation to indigent children in delinquency or immigration matters, the clinic’s student attorneys also provide post-conviction representation to individuals originally sentenced to prison as minors. When her instructor explained, “I think it will further strengthen your advocacy skills to see what happens on the back end,” Kiara did not shy away.
Kiara was then assigned to the case of Azeem Majeed, a 43-year old African American male serving two life sentences without parole for a violent robbery committed at age 16. She and her peers successfully argued that their client should not be condemned to spend the rest of his life in prison. In particular, their argument relied on a recent revision to Virginia law giving anyone who has served more than 20 years for a crime committed while still a minor an opportunity for parole.
Reflecting on the experience, Kiera explained, “One thing I said during my exit interview from the clinic is that it really helped me come out of my shell and feel more confident in my capabilities.” She adds, “I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But as we learned more each week about what we’re going to be doing and why we’re doing it, I saw the benefit of it.”
Kiara’s tireless dedication to bettering the lives of others through law is not limited to her work with the Children’s Defense Clinic. Prior to joining Marks & Harrison as a law clerk, she also interned in the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Adding to her long list of achievements, Kiara also serves her Student Bar Association as Director of Student Organizations. She also works with the Richmond Public Interest Law Review, an academic law journal dedicated to discussing important issues in social welfare and public policy. Joining as a staff editor, she now helps lead the organization as Executive Editor.
Marks & Harrison is proud to have Kiara as a member of our team. Now in her third and final year of law school, we wish her much luck and success in her career. We are confident she will prove herself to be an invaluable member of the legal profession.
