Khizer Pervez

Junior Lawyer at Davies Law Firm

2016 | Ottawa, Canada

University of Ottawa | Communications and Minor in Psychology

“Employers love to see practical experience outside of just classes taken in law school, and thus clinics are great experiences to mention in interviews."

Khizer Pervez chose to participate in the Alvin L. Storrs Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic because it was a new and foreign area to him, and he thought learning the subject through a clinic would be the best. “I knew it would combine classroom instruction with practical experience working directly on client files,” he said. “It is a great experience. It really helps you understand the subject matter. Moreover, beyond that, it gives me insight into what real practice looks like.”

In his time with the Tax Clinic, Khizer had about 12-13 clients, and different responsibilities for each client. “Each of these clients had unique problems that needed solving, and I was the sole person in charge of these clients,” he said. “Whether it was completing a tax return, or trying to erase a client's tax debt, I had sole responsibility over these clients, with the professors helping me when needed. Thus, I would communicate with these clients directly, call the IRS and argue on their behalf, etc. I also performed client intakes interviewing prospective clients for the clinic.”

 “The most rewarding thing is working on these cases knowing your client is really grateful for all the work. Many times clients email me saying they really appreciate the work I am doing for them, and it is always a rewarding feeling knowing you are able to make a difference in someone else's life,” Khizer said.

The clinical work Khizer completed has sparked greater interest for him in tax law. “If I were to seek employment in a tax law firm in the future, it would be a great experience to talk about. However, even if I pursued a path in a different legal area, the experience I gained is still helpful as I have learned to manage client case files, working with clients and under attorney supervision, and so on,” he said.

“Employers love to see practical experience outside of just classes taken in law school, and thus clinics are great experiences to mention in interviews,” he said. “It shows that you can apply skills and theory learned in school to practice. It has come up personally in various interviews for summer positions, and employers have always been really interested in hearing about the experience.”