We recently sat down with Jacob Irven, volunteer law clerk for the last year and a half with the CVHR, to learn a little bit more about who he is and why he has chosen to volunteer with the CVHR.

Get to know Jacob a little better through our latest Law Clerk Spotlight Interview:

What initially sparked your interest in volunteering as a law clerk for the CVHR?

I began my 1L year with a distinct interest in promoting human rights, so word of the CVHR and its reputation quickly reached me. Having organized an event for sexual assault awareness a year prior, I was especially excited by the CVHR’s related work in this field, and by its goal to empower survivors.

What are you most excited to do or accomplish as a law clerk for the CVHR?

I’m most excited to engage in human rights advocacy, to help empower CVHR clients, and to gain vital legal knowledge and experience.

What has been your favorite part about being a law clerk for the CVHR?

Besides helping support CVHR clients, my favorite part is working with the CVHR team. They’re truly some of the most talented, passionate, and fun people I’ve ever met.

Do you have a favorite quote?

“You’re the best, Jacob!” – Jacob Irven

Do you have an office nickname? What is it?

My fellow law clerk, Hayley Kemp, often refers to me as “Exalted One” or “Master Jedi Jacob, King of All Men”. While I appreciate the sentiment, I insist that she address me by the more modest title, “Starfleet Captain”. And sometimes my friends call me “Dad Bod” for some reason.

If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day?

Gandalf. Or maybe Frodo. But probably Gandalf.

People would be surprised if they knew:

I travelled overseas for the first time this year as an IU McKinney Program in International Human Rights Law (PIHRL) intern. I was privileged to support human rights NGOs spanning across three continents, specifically those within Poland, Uganda, and Mongolia. My experience was equally the most challenging and rewarding of my life, and it truly solidified my desire to work in human rights law.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy attending concerts, listening to records, and pretending I’m a Michelin star chef in the kitchen. I’ve mastered such culinary staples as “Bowl of Cheerios” and even “Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich”.

What is an ability you wish you had?

I wish I had an ability to acquire new abilities at will. Is that cheating?

What was your favorite book, toy, or outfit as a child?

Both Night by Elie Wiesel and The Diary of Anne Frank had a tremendous impact on me as a kid, and substantiated my interest in human rights more than I then realized. I would also be amiss if I didn’t mention the Junie B. Jones series, which has shaped me into the man I am today in seemingly countless ways.