Larson’s passion for human rights was ignited in high school, when she volunteered with Traffick911, an anti-trafficking organization in Texas. Through her work with young people in juvenile detention facilities, Larson became intimately familiar with the troubling overlap between children who find themselves in foster care and juvenile detention, and those who become ensnared in trafficking. “Kids in juvenile detention facilities and foster care are some of the most vulnerable to trafficking because they are the ones often forgotten or neglected by our systems,” she reflects. This early experience shaped two core themes that would repeatedly surface throughout Larson’s internships, academic pursuits, and professional experiences: the deep interconnectedness of human rights issues and the urgent need for systemic reform to reflect and address this complexity.

A Shift in Focus: From Cases to Systems

During her sophomore year at New York University, Larson began an internship with former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, a pioneer in anti-trafficking legislation. Though Larson’s internship and later fellowship with Congresswoman Maloney’s office exposed her to a plethora of issues, a large portion of Larson’s work involved immigration casework. Once again, Larson witnessed the enormous effects that being tangled up in deeply flawed systems of government bureaucracy can have on people’s lives.

After graduating from NYU in 2016 with a B.A. in Politics and Journalism, Larson joined Congresswoman Maloney’s staff full-time as her Immigration Caseworker and Deputy Press Secretary. Following implementation of the Trump administration’s “Muslim travel ban” in early 2017, Larson watched her immigration caseload soar from about 15 cases per week to hundreds. She worked tirelessly “trying to help this influx of people who were absolutely petrified and in truly dire circumstances get the protection they deserve,” but kept running up against systems that were “falling apart and crumbling” in her hands. Larson was incredibly frustrated that even as a government employee, she “couldn’t do anything about it or even get information. There was no clear system. There were no protections in that moment.” Frustrated by her government’s failures and searching for a way to make real systemic change, Larson decided to go to law school at Georgetown.

A Holistic Approach

During her time at Georgetown, Larson deepened her understanding of the inherently interconnected nature of human rights issues. While initially focusing on anti-trafficking work, Larson leveraged Georgetown’s diverse human rights courses and programming to expand her knowledge in various other areas of human rights. In doing so, she soon realized that “no issue exists in a silo—anti-trafficking work is intrinsically linked to immigration, housing, education, civil rights, criminal justice reform, prison reform—issues that all intersect to create vulnerabilities to human rights abuses.” Recognizing these interconnections, Larson understood that effectively combating trafficking, for example, requires a comprehensive approach that addresses these intersecting issues. “You can’t just fix one issue area,” she says, “you have to take a holistic approach, or it won’t be successful or sustainable.”

Larson’s passion for anti-trafficking work then led her to a 1L summer internship and 2L fall externship with two anti-trafficking organizations, where she gained invaluable hands-on experience representing trafficking survivors and engaging in state-level policy advocacy. She delved deeper into the critical intersections between juvenile detention and trafficking. “Traffickers know where to look, and these kids who are coming out of juvenile detention and who are in foster care are just overlooked, neglected, and vulnerable to being manipulated.” Through this work, her analysis of these complex dynamics informed policy solutions aimed at addressing the systemic neglect and maltreatment that expose these youth to exploitation.

Shifting to Policy: A Path to Lasting Change

During her 3L fall internship with the Special Litigation Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Larson confronted another form of systemic failure—police department misconduct. She investigated patterns of misconduct and helped develop strategies to reform these practices. Although this work lay outside her primary focus on anti-trafficking, it deepened her understanding of the importance of systemic reform, providing her with invaluable insights into how entrenched issues can be addressed through legal and policy interventions.

Larson spent her final semester at Georgetown in a legal clerkship with former Senator Patrick Leahy’s staff at the Senate Judiciary Committee. Unexpectedly, she found herself immersed in the first impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. Though this was not the focus she initially anticipated, the experience reinforced her belief in the importance of transparent and accountable governance. Reflecting on the role, Larson noted, “I learned a lot and was reminded once again that having a functioning democratic system—free of corruption, with real checks and balances—is crucial to advancing my human rights goals.” This pivotal experience solidified her belief that policy work is where she can make the greatest impact as a human rights advocate.

Knowledge, Flexibility, and Instinct

Larson emphasizes that knowledge is the most essential skill in her field. “You need to know what you know, stay diligent in keeping up with the news, and be thorough in understanding the subject areas you’re involved in.” However, she points out that flexibility is equally crucial—being able to shift seamlessly from one task or area to another is vital, as unexpected challenges often arise. Larson also stresses the importance of instincts, which are honed over time by observing seasoned professionals and learning how they navigate complex situations. “You develop instincts for identifying what’s a good idea, what’s a bad idea, and how to respond in the moment. You don’t always have the luxury of time to mull things over, so those instincts become critical.”

Always Seek to Learn

If Larson could give advice to her law school self, it would be this: “Even those who look like they have it all figured out often don’t. Your career is an ongoing process of learning and growth—it’s iterative. If you enter a new situation and already know exactly how to handle it, you’re not challenging yourself enough. Seek out experiences that push you to learn and grow. I used to believe that by a certain age or career milestone, I would have everything figured out. But that’s just not how it works. With each new achievement, you’re still learning and adapting. If you ever stop growing or finding new challenges, that’s when you should be concerned. Continuous growth is essential.”

Joy Outside Work

Outside of work, Larson finds joy in horseback riding, dancing, and yoga, which help center and energize her. Time spent with loved ones, especially those outside the field, is vital to her for grounding and maintaining perspective.

 

Written by Cameron Mulrooney

Edited by Michelle Liu