Mailbox: I want to go to law school but don’t know a judge or lawyer to give me a reference

This is a bit unusual for our Mailbox segment, but oh well.

I’m 27, single mom with a psychology degree. I want to go to Law School at night to get a degree and be able to take care of my kids. But I don’t know a lawyer to give me a reference. How do I find one?

In your area, a great way for an outsider to rapidly see the system from the inside is to volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for an abused child in your area. This volunteer is trained (your psychology experience will help) to review all the files pertaining to a child in the “system” and represent the child’s best interest… not the interests of the parents or the state which may be at odds with protecting the child.

Your opinion is thrown into the mix and given due weight.

Do a good job and you’ll soon find a grateful judge willing to sign your law school application.