Adam Brookman ’23 — I am appreciative of the support from the Dill Fund and Wabash College. Their support afforded me the opportunity to intern this Summer in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana and conduct research regarding gun violence in Evansville, Indiana. The experience has shown me the important work of federal prosecutors and provided me a chance to research and understand a troubling issue in the Evansville community.
During my internship, I have been given the opportunity to assist prosecutors with their day-to-day work, including organizing investigative materials, transcribing interviews and phone calls, and helping prepare witnesses for trial and hearing testimony. I have been lucky enough to help in the preparation of several cases for trial. I have had many opportunities to see, firsthand, exactly what it takes to practice criminal law in Federal court.
I have also been working on a related research project to create a clear, historical picture of the gun violence issue in Evansville. Using data from both state and federal incidences, I have developed answers to the questions of who, what, where, when, how, and why of Evansville gun violence, which will be distilled into a report. This project has further shown me the real problems with gun violence in the Evansville community and revealed the factors that consistently contribute to the issue.
The internship has been a great experience and opportunity to learn about criminal law, federal court, and the legal profession in general, and has boosted my desire to pursue a career in the legal field. A special thanks to the Dill Fund, Wabash College, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana for making these opportunities possible.
