Fatoumata Diallo and Halima Mohamed recently wrapped up a monthslong job shadowing opportunity with Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) employees. They were participants in Legal Pathways at UW-Tacoma, a new initiative funded by the Washington State Legislature, that aims to help students interested in pursuing legal careers.
Fatoumata recently sat down with us to talk about her experience.
What prompted you to apply for Legal Pathways and what led you to SMC?
My interest in applying to the Legal Pathways Program truly took shape during the spring of my junior year, when I enrolled in a pre-law seminar taught by Professor Jacqueline Shepherd at UW–Tacoma. Before taking the class, I had a general curiosity about the legal field and wanted to gain a deeper understanding of what a career in law might look like. I hoped the course would provide clarity—and by the end of the semester, it certainly did.
Throughout the seminar, I had the opportunity to connect with Professor Shepherd and openly share my growing interest in pursuing law. She encouraged me to start exploring internship opportunities to gain hands-on experience. Her guidance didn’t stop there. She went a step further by helping create an internship opportunity not only for me and Halima, but also for other pre-law students seeking exposure to the legal field.
That experience was pivotal. It not only strengthened my interest in law but also showed me the importance of mentorship and access to meaningful opportunities, both of which ultimately motivated me to apply to the Legal Pathways Program.
What teams did you shadow? What did the past few months entail at the court?
My internship schedule consisted of observing court proceedings on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30-4:30 PM and on Tuesdays from 8 AM-12 noon. During the first few weeks, we spent most of our time in the courtrooms, observing a variety of judges and magistrates in action. This included Magistrate Mansfield, Judge Crawford-Willis, and Judge McDowall, among others. Sitting in on these proceedings gave me a firsthand look at courtroom dynamics, judicial decision-making, and the daily operations of the court.
By mid-October, the experience expanded beyond the courtroom. For two weeks, we shadowed staff in the Community Resource Center (CRC), followed by a week with the Probation Services team. These rotations offered valuable insight into how the justice system supports individuals outside of formal court proceedings and how community-based resources play a crucial role in the legal process.
The final phase of the internship allowed us to observe behind-the-scenes operations within the Customer Service Center, the Marshals’ Office, and the Clerks’ Office, spending a week with each. These experiences highlighted the essential roles that keep the court system running smoothly.
On the last day of the internship, we had the opportunity to meet with Magistrate Mansfield and Judge Crawford-Willis one final time. We took photos in the courtroom, a meaningful way to capture the experience and preserve the memories from an internship that left a lasting impression on my professional journey.
Can you describe a typical day or week? How did you determine which teams to shadow?
A typical day during my internship began with arriving at SMC just before 8 AM. I would meet up with Halima in the office that was provided to us at the start of the internship. If time allowed, I would eat breakfast while reviewing our daily schedule and noting which team or department we would be observing that day—information Teresa (Judge Crawford-Willis’ executive assistant) thoughtfully shared with us a few days in advance.
On days when court hearings were scheduled, we headed up to the courtroom on the 10th floor to observe the proceedings. As attorneys entered the courtroom, often accompanied by their clients waiting to be called, I paid close attention to courtroom interactions and procedures. I made it a habit to take detailed notes on what I observed, along with questions I wanted to ask the judges afterward.
Each week looked a little different, as our schedule depended on what was happening within each department at the time. This flexibility allowed us to gain exposure to a wide range of roles and responsibilities across the court system. Teresa played a key role in making this experience run smoothly, organizing our schedule and ensuring we had meaningful opportunities to observe and learn throughout the internship.
What is the number one thing you will take away from your experience at SMC?
One of the most meaningful takeaways from this internship was gaining a deeper understanding of how the law and legal system impact people in complex and often interconnected ways. Throughout the experience, I witnessed how something as simple as misunderstanding a sign or failing to follow specific guidelines can result in a violation and ultimately draw individuals into the legal system.
I also became more aware of the underlying issues that often contribute to legal involvement. Many of the cases and situations we observed were influenced by factors such as substance use, homelessness, and mental health challenges that can quickly escalate into serious legal consequences if left unaddressed. Seeing these patterns firsthand helped me understand that the legal system does not operate in isolation; it is deeply affected by social and environmental conditions.
At the same time, I was encouraged by the efforts being made to support individuals within the system. Programs such as the Mental Health Court, the CRC, and the Probation Services team demonstrated how SMC is working to provide resources, accountability, and pathways toward stability rather than solely focusing on punishment.
This experience reinforced the idea that environmental and social factors shape the legal system just as much as the legal system shapes people’s lives. As a future attorney, I hope to be part of the work that helps implement policies centered on support, fairness, and prevention—policies that address root causes and create better outcomes for individuals navigating the justice system.