While my primary role at NUSL is to direct and supervise the Dorchester Court Domestic Violence Clinic, one of the most rewarding experiences I have had has been a totally "extra-curricular" collaboration we have maintained with the Boston Medical Center (BMC), the city's primary trauma center. Since 1993, hundreds of students have volunteered to spend long evenings in the Emergency Department of the hospital. Working in small teams, they interview patients about their attitutes or personal experiences in dealing with intimate partner violence and provide advocacy services to those who self-identify as victims or who are referred to the students by hospital staff. The enthusiasm, energy and commitment of the students who have staffed this yearlong program—and particularly those students who have volunteered at the BMC for all three of their law school years—constantly reminds me of how privileged I am to be a clinical teacher.

The serious injury or death of a client or her children cannot be avoided in the work of a domestic violence lawyer, and we have had two of our clinic clients murdered by their partners. Last year, a perpetrator set himself and his youngest child on fire just days after a restraining order was vacated and he was allowed to leave the courthouse—despite the fact that our student had convinced the police to secure a warrant for his arrest. Having to deal with the reality of the dangers our clients face every day is difficult for me as a lawyer with 30 years of experience in this field. Having to share such an experience with students who are just beginning their careers is by far the hardesr part of my job.

I love all aspects of travel. I subscribe to travel magazines, I collect travel books (my favorites are the annual Best Amercian Travel Writing, anything by Bill Bryson, and, this past year, 1000 Places to See Before You Die. I can stay up all night surfing the Internet to plan a trip. Although I love traveling alone to unfamiliar places, my favorite trip is the same one I have taken almost every summer since 1973—a ferry to the Vineyard, then idling the time away in a rented house with my husband, the dog and (when available) my two daughters, their friends and partners.