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Chase Student Tanner Duncan Works to Stop Human Trafficking

Tanner Duncan

Tanner Duncan experienced some of the best in being a lawyer this summer, even as he witnessed some of the worst in humanity. Tanner worked with International Justice Mission, in Bangkok, Thailand, in the prosecution of human trafficking cases.

• What he saw: “I was able to see the direct benefit of the Bangkok field office’s efforts for victims of human trafficking, including issuing of arrest warrants, government action taken through our advocacy for victims, victim compensation becoming available, and victims being treated with the human dignity they had previously been denied.”

• What he did: “I brainstormed cases that were in their infancy with the rest of the legal team, including theories of cases, additional information needed to bring a successful prosecution, possible charges to bring from multiple areas of law, and criticisms of current law to provide for better legal remedies in the future.”

• How it affected him: “I gained perspective, especially in regard to international issues, culture, and compassion. Understanding where we fit within these topics is essential in providing client-centered representation. A recurring lesson I was taught this summer was that it is essential that we, as attorneys, never lose track of seeing out clients first as human beings.”