Drafting Legislation and Interpreting Statutes Prepares 3L Alisha Parikh for a Career in Tech Policy and Regulation

Alisha Parikh headshot

Third-year law student Alisha Parikh drafted legislation and conducted policy analysis at California’s Office of Legislative Counsel through UC Law SF’s Legislation Clinic, gaining experience in statutory interpretation, regulatory strategy, and the legislative process—skills she plans to apply in privacy and AI regulation.

3L student Alisha Parikh reflects on her experience crafting real-world legislation for a nonpartisan office serving the California Legislature through UC Law SF’s Legislation Clinic. 

  • Drafted bills, amendments, and resolutions at the state Office of Legislative Counsel through UC Law SF’s Legislation Clinic. 
  • Applied legal and policy expertise to assess statutory language, evaluate regulatory impacts, and refine policy ideas into prospective enforceable law. 
  • Strengthened skills in legal writing, policy analysis, and regulatory strategy, preparing for a career in privacy and AI regulation where evolving laws shape industry practices.  

3L Alisha Parikh:

I spent my 3L spring semester with the Office of Legislative Counsel (OLC), a nonpartisan public agency that provides legal and technical expertise to the California Legislature. OLC shapes California law by ensuring that proposed legislation is legally sound, clearly written, and effectively structured.   

What makes OLC special is its holistic approach to the legislative process. The office’s nonpartisan nature allows attorneys to focus purely on legal precision, which is essential to maintaining a functional legislative system where laws are drafted with clarity, consistency, and adherence to legal principles. 

During my time at OLC, I drafted bills, amendments, and resolutions for various clients, gaining firsthand experience in legislative drafting. I also conducted legal research on statutory interpretation and constitutional considerations, which deepened my understanding of both the procedural and strategic aspects of lawmaking. Through this externship, I was immersed in the complexities of legislative drafting and learned how to more effectively write proposed laws that are clear, enforceable, and aligned with policy goals.  

By drafting bills and analyzing policy implications, I strengthened my ability to assess statutory language, evaluate regulatory impacts, and communicate complex legal concepts effectively. These skills are directly relevant to my goal of working in privacy and AI regulation, where rapidly evolving laws and regulations shape industry practices. This experience reinforced my interest in the intersection of law, policy, and emerging technologies.   

I would highly recommend UC Law SF and this clinic to anyone interested in legislative law, public policy, or regulatory practice. UC Law SF offers unmatched access to California’s legislative process, and the OLC clinic provides a unique opportunity to work directly on legislative drafting in a professional setting. The experience builds practical skills in legal writing, statutory interpretation, and policy analysis—essential for careers in government, advocacy, or regulatory law. Additionally, Professors Diane F. Boyer-Vine and Steven Bonorris bring a wealth of knowledge and share interesting anecdotes that make the experience even more valuable and engaging. 

The Evidence of Success series highlights UC Law SF students as they share how the college’s opportunities equip them with the experience, skills, and confidence to excel in the legal profession.