Welcome Dorothy Summers, a new staff attorney here at Youth Represent! Her role involves assisting and supporting justice-involved youth in matters and issues related to family court, criminal law, housing and discrimination cases.
“I’m really excited to work with Youth Represent and to help shift the trajectory” for the youth clients through our resources and time, Dorothy said.
A native New Yorker, Dorothy is a graduate of SUNY-Binghamton and holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from Hunter College and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota, School of Law.
Dedicated to positions of service, Dorothy has worked in legal offices that range from the public defenders’ office to a workers’ compensation litigation firm, in addition to work at Teach for America in early childhood and as a restorative facilitator for youth and families in Minnesota.
She says her humble upbringing propelled her to succeed and motivates her to offer support to others to enable them to succeed in whatever path they seek.
In the long-term, Dorothy says Youth Represent’s “community partnerships are an area that she is really interested in learning more about,” particularly how they are developed, drafted and operated.
“Dorothy is smart, curious, and talented and a great addition to the Youth Represent staff attorney team,” said Dale Ventura, Director of Community Legal Partnerships. “She brings a genuine interest and compassion towards our youth clients, as well as a sincere desire for them to overcome the barriers and biases that they consistently encounter, which I think really resonates with them.”
Just a few weeks into her new role, Dorothy is motivated and intentional about the work ahead. “I truly believe that the youth are the future and our foundation. If we want them to be successful, then we have to be sure they have what they need to succeed.”