My Time With the ALMD: High School Intern Jamal Casby
This series comes as a bit of a reflection from individuals who have spent time working with the Alabama Middle District. We continue this new offering with an article on Jamal Casby, our intern from Booker T. Washington High School, interview by Intern Camdyn E. Neal.
Jamal Casby is a Class of 2022 senior at Booker T. Washington Magnet High School here in Montgomery, Alabama. During his high school career, Jamal has been engaged in the Key Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, FBLA, and the Magnet Law Program. He is also a member of the Varsity Tennis team! The Magnet Law Program is a Legal Services Career Technical Education Program that provides students with both the classroom and practical experience in careers associated with legal services.
Jamal’s teacher and mentor, Elizabeth Bowles, has taught Jamal for the past 3 years. Elizabeth is a former clerk of Judge Watkins and Judge Coody here at the Middle District. As a clerk and practicing attorney, Elizabeth acquired a myriad of knowledge on the importance of the recognition of freedom and individual rights. The Magnet Law Program allows her to transmit that knowledge daily to the next generation.
Elizabeth described Jamal as a very “responsible and trustworthy student leader”. She mentioned that Jamal often fiercely and respectfully advocates for his fellow classmates and is extremely mature. When presented with the opportunity to have a student intern placement in the Clerks Office, she knew that Jamal would be the perfect student for this position. Jamal is quick on his feet and committed to assisting in any task necessary.
During his internship, Jamal has engaged in a myriad of the court’s projects and day to day operations. Jamal expressed that he really found the jury administration process to be one of his most interesting tasks during his internship. He mentions that this could be tedious as there was a lot of official paperwork involved. Jamal also assisted in the research process for the expansion of our court’s Oral History Project. He was able to provide detailed notes on his findings, as well as assist other interns in developing a template for the research. Jamal recalls his time observing court proceedings as, “amazing to see this happen in real life as opposed to only on legal television shows like Law and Order.
Jamal expressed gratitude for his school’s law program, Mrs. Bowles passion for her students and mentorship, and for his time spent here at the Middle District. In his free time, Jamal enjoys playing tennis, eating burritos, and spending time with his friends. Jamal is charismatic, driven, and determined. Jamal plans to attend Tuskegee University in the fall, where he will continue to do great things and inspire others.