Brian Ma

Intern Spotlight

Brian Ma is a rising 2L at Willamette University College of Law and is currently serving as NCVLI’s legal clerk during the summer of 2024. 

Why did you first get interested in working with NCVLI and/or victims’ rights?

What drew me to wanting to work with victim rights is wanting to make the world a better place and to bring justice to those that have been wronged by a crime. People should always feel as if they have support when going through difficulties in life; no individual should be alone. 

What 1 thing has surprised you or have you learned about victims’ rights since you started to learn more?

 In my time at NCVLI, I learned that there are plenty of ways to assist victims. I have learned that there are so many people that care for victim rights and support for victims rights are not bound to those only in the legal field. There are other opportunities for those who are not attorney’s to assist.

What motivates you to work in a field that serves victims of crime?

To leave a foundation, a stepping stone, into a future where people can feel that justice is balanced. A [punishment that isn’t overbearing on the defendant, stripping them of humanity; a punishment that isn’t too laxed, making the victim feel that the justice system has failed them.

What are your hobbies?

Some of my hobbies include traveling, learning to cook, spending time with friends and family.

If you had a chance to talk to the U.S. Supreme Court, the President, Congress, a foreign leader, or any other leader, what one thing would you tell them about victims’ rights?

I would tell them that people don’t feel that the justice system is supportive enough. The people that our leaders serve are the majority of the population and they should be heard and be part of the decision making. We have elected officials because they represent the people’s vision, but when they don’t consult with the people on what they want, then the trust between our elected officials and the people falls. It shouldn’t matter what political background the people are, leaders should listen and consider all opinions. That’s how leaders should lead, not by addressing what is best for their party, but for all parties; to do that everybody needs to be heard.

When someone asks you why victims’ rights are important, what do you tell them?

It’s important that every individual feels safe in the justice process; that everybody who is seeking justice is entitled to that. People should not have to fear being revictimized when seeking justice, nor should they feel that the justice system isn’t created to support them. If individuals of crime knew that they were supported, it would increase the chances of them coming forward with their story.

What would you most like NCVLI or the victims’ rights movement to accomplish in the next five years? Twenty years?

In the next five years, I’d like to see victims’ rights be more promoted to the public. When I was researching toolkits for victims with disabilities, there weren’t many, and the few that I found were difficult to find with a simple google search. I had to navigate through different links and pages to find these toolkits.

In the next twenty years, I’d like to see the victim right’s movement to have more importance when working with the government. The government should keep in mind what a victim’s rights should be when addressing the legal system, and the best way to seek what a victim’s right should be should be through the victim themselves.

If you could change one thing about the current victims’ rights environment, be it legal, political, public recognition, victim social/psychological services, etc., what would it be?

Currently, one thing I would change is to create more uniform accommodations for victims across courts in the US. There have been some courts where I have seen rules in favor of having a court appointed dog with a witness to testify, while others allow the canine to be in the courthouse, but not in the courtroom while the witness is testifying. There is a balance to upholding a defendant’s Confirmation Clause in the 6th Amendment, but it should not be at the expense of the victim’s comfortability.

If you could celebrate one  thing about the current victims’ rights environment, be it legal, political, public recognition, victim social/psychological services, etc., what would it be?

I would celebrate that there are more than a handful of CLE courses that help address victim rights. While at NCVLI, being able to participate and learn more about victims and their rights, and how we in the legal field may support them, that is something to celebrate.

Who or what inspires you?

All attorneys inspire me. It doesn’t matter in the criminal system if they’re a prosecutor or a defender, they both are putting in the effort to uphold the law and bring equal justice to all. People I work with at NCVLI have inspired me because of their backgrounds at private firms but chose to leave and work at a nonprofit because it brings them emotional satisfaction. People who are able to make these difficult decisions and choose a career path to better the lives of others inspires me to get up and make a difference in life.

Why should someone else get involved with NCVLI and/or victims’ rights?

People should get involved in victims’ rights because of the difference you can make in the world. The results may not show immediately, but every little step can cause a big ripple of change that will bring better change to the world.