Clinic Perspective: Ravi Kambhampaty '10

What did you enjoy about your clinic experience?
I had the opportunity to participate in two clinics. The Access to Justice Clinic and the International Law Clinic in Windhoek, Namibia. I enjoyed both of them. In Access to Justice I enjoyed the opportunity to serve a client and to engage with Baltimore in a way that I would not have otherwise been able. Coordinating with churches, drug treatment centers, etc to get clients out of pretrial detention.
   
I also really enjoyed being in Namibia. Working with human rights groups in a nation that was still young was a powerful experience. Most importantly it taught me a great deal of humility and the need to empathize with those seeking to improve their situations in their own culturally and operationally realistic manners.

Was there a particularly memorable moment from your clinic experience that you'd like to share?
In Access to Justice, being able to get six individuals released from pre-trial confinement and into a drug treatment center was very memorable as It felt that a meaningful impact was done not just for the individuals but the broader community and was done in collaboration with the community.
   
In Namibia, every day was memorable. An opportunity to interact with the people.

What was your greatest takeaway from your clinic experience?
No one does it alone. There is no substitute for humility and listening to those who may not have the benefit of formal education, but the wisdom of lived experience.... even if that experience is significantly different than your own.

How has your clinic experience benefitted you in your career and approach to lawyering?
They were very reflective experiences and I am glad I participated. It set a tone of humility and empathy that I always strive towards.