Neekita Bhatia is currently enrolled at Chicago-Kent College of Law. Her most recent legal opportunities were as a Summer Associate at Sidley Austin LLP, an Investor Relations Intern at Intelligent Portfolio Intelligence (hedge fund), and a Legal Intern at Muddy Waters Capital (hedge fund). Q: How did you first learn about LCA, and what motivated you to apply for an internship with us? A: I first learned about LCA through Sidley Austin’s pro bono program, particularly at the pro bono reception. I was inspired after hearing attorneys talk about the impactful pro bono work they were doing with LCA. I was motivated to apply for an internship because I wanted to support artists and arts organizations by addressing their unique legal challenges. My passion for the arts and desire to contribute to a meaningful cause aligned perfectly with LCA’s mission, making it an ideal opportunity for me. What were your initial expectations when joining LCA, and did anything about the experience surprise you? Initially, I expected my role at LCA to involve primarily behind-the-scenes legal research and documentation. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the extent of client-facing work and the hands-on involvement in the cases. The complexity and variety of issues that artists faced were more nuanced than I anticipated, and I was struck by how deeply LCA engages with the creative community to provide tailored support. Many of our interns come to us with unique backgrounds in the arts. Do you have any personal background or experiences in the arts that you feel have contributed to your time at LCA? Yes, I trained through The Royal Conservatory (Canada) in their voice program for opera. This experience has contributed to my time at LCA as it has provided me with a deep appreciation for the creative process and the challenges artists face. In what ways has your experience at LCA connected with and enhanced what you’ve been learning in law school? Did you enter LCA with gaining experience in a specific area of law in mind? If so, has your experience influenced or changed your interests? My experience with conducting the client intake process at LCA has helped me understand how to triage the issues that clients are facing, often in complex situations where the issues range from intellectual property to contract law to starting up NFPs. I specifically wanted to work at LCA to get exposure to a wide range of legal issues, as I wanted to understand generally what kind of issues arts organizations are facing on a day-to-day basis, which I have. Discuss the significance of learning about arts law from a practical perspective and how this exposure has added value to your education. Additionally, reflect on your overall experience in a law office setting at LCA – in what ways has this contributed to your professional growth and understanding of legal practice? Learning about arts law through practical experience has been highly valuable, as it allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world situations. Unlike the controlled scenarios of law school issue spotters, working at LCA involved navigating incomplete information and identifying key legal issues through client interactions, sharpening my ability to perform legal analysis and understand client issues. This experience has significantly contributed to my professional growth by preparing me for the complexities of real-world legal work and client management. Can you share some of your favorite moments or projects from your time with LCA and why they stood out to you? My favorite moments were in helping young artists who were facing legal challenges for the first time in their arts careers. The impact LCA makes in their lives is so clearly evident, not only by connecting them with attorneys to resolve the current issue but also in giving them the resources to educate themselves, building a strong foundation for their arts careers. What are your plans following the completion of your degree, and do you feel your time at LCA has helped shape these plans? Do you have any intentions of volunteering with LCA after obtaining your degree, and if so, why? I will be joining Sidley Austin as an Associate this Fall, and my fellowship at LCA was sponsored through Sidley Austin as well. I would love to continue volunteering with LCA after my fellowship ends so I can support the arts community and be part of the ecosystem that enables them to thrive. Reflect on the broader impact of the work that LCA does in the arts community and share your insights on the organization’s role in shaping the legal landscape for the arts. Additionally, in your opinion, what unique value does an organization like LCA bring to the arts community? Consider your experiences working with clients at LCA and any insights or lessons gained from these interactions. LCA enables and empowers artists by providing essential legal support that helps artists navigate complex legal issues, ensuring they can pursue their art without the burden of legal issues. The value of LCA lies in its ability to offer specialized legal assistance to those who might not afford it otherwise, thereby strengthening the arts community and supporting its continued growth and diversity. Reflect on your interactions with the staff at LCA. How has this aspect of your internship impacted your overall experience? Interacting with the staff at LCA was a highlight of my fellowship. The supportive and collaborative environment enhanced my learning and made the experience both enjoyable and educational. The team’s passion for their work has exemplified my interest in doing pro bono work in the arts community. Which TV show, movie, song, or book have you recently finished, and would you recommend it to your peers? I recently (finally) watched the movie “On the Basis of Sex,” which chronicles the early career of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her groundbreaking work in advancing gender equality. I would highly recommend it to my peers, especially those interested in law and social justice, as it offers both a compelling narrative and a powerful message about perseverance and advocacy. Thank you Neekita for all of your hard work as an intern this quarter! Check the website or follow us on social media for future intern profiles and other exciting content. Tags: Intern Profiles, News
