NOTES FROM THE FIELD: ASSANI BROWN '21

Assani Brown '21 interned at Law and Development Associates (LADA) during the 2020 winter term. The following is an excerpt from his internship report.

I interned at Law And Development Associates, also known as LADA, a national Ghanaian law firm, in Ghana, Accra. The organization is a multi-disciplinary holding institution. It is composed of four subsidiaries, LADA Consult, Atuguba & Associates, LADA Institute, and LINNOVAC. During my internship, I worked closely with the LADA Consult and Atuguba & Associates. The former focused more on providing support and guidance with social, political, and financial decisions. The latter concentrated more on analyzing, critiquing, influencing, and shaping the law in whatever way it could. 

For eight weeks, I worked closely with both subsidiaries of the institution to see how law and policy is molded by finances, social, politics, and cultural aspects. At the same time, I studied and learned how law in turn also affects these same elements of the public, and society on a broader scale. I shadowed professional lawyers, attorneys, and consultants. My work included conducting readings of laws and precedents and trials, attending trials, interviews, and meetings, and taking notes on responses of the Ghanaian public. 

I discovered my passion for being on the inside and more silent side of change. I realized how much I enjoyed voicing my desire for change and letting that voice take form in more subtle ways through the system of government, law, meetings, and academic and scholarly discussion rather than through more outright ways. I gained the patience to interact and work with the more time sensitive and consuming parts of being a lawyer and attorney. From this, I also gained the inspiration to be more creative and flexible in my approach and methods to creating and shaping law, policy, and other government related applications. 

There were times that I felt incredibly happy and pleased with my assignments. I recall feeling overjoyed when I shadowed my fellow coworkers to a Supreme Court trial. I had the pleasure of experiencing firsthand, the environment and circumstances of which lawyers operated in and under. After that, I had the honor of attending a meeting with one of our clients. I was able to analyze and edit legal and financial documents required of me to be present at the meeting. The meeting also taught me how to negotiate and be patient whenever approaching other parties with several interests. Finally, I had the honor of meeting and conducting an interview with a former lawyer who now teaches history at the University of Ghana. I was able to obtain his advice in regards to cases and challenges the firm and my team had to work with. 

My time at LADA strengthened my values and work ethic as a Dartmouth student. It taught me that one should try their best to find their rhythm and pattern that works for them, and should be careful when pushing themselves too much. At the same time, there will be moments where one might have to step out of their own comfort zones and try new ways of doing things. Additionally, there will be times where one has to push themselves and give a little more than they usually do. I can take these things and apply them to my Dartmouth student life in regards to my classes and my jobs. 

All of my experiences, lessons, and encounters throughout my internships are thanks to the Rockefeller Center. Without the aid of the Rockefeller Center, I would not have been able to have the impactful experience my internship gave me. It is because of The Rockefeller Center that I am able to convey my experiences, wisdom, and advice to those reading this. 

The Rockefeller Internships Program has funding for Dartmouth undergraduate students to help defray the cost of living expenses associated with a full-time, unpaid, leave-term internships in the fields of public policy, public affairs, and social entrepreneurship.