Spencer Symula

Spencer Symula is a Paralegal at the Juvenile Law Center. He is interested in community-based advocacy on the behalf of marginalized or otherwise vulnerable populations. This includes children and youth, whose age makes them doubly vulnerable to the challenges of navigating the American criminal justice system.

Growing up diagnosed with autism, Spencer learned to accept the help of many people to live life in a society that often lacks in understanding for those on the spectrum. This dignity given to him by others strongly contrasted with the treatment of those he saw beyond his comfortable suburban neighborhood in the Capital Region of New York. In response to this, he chose to double major in Political Science and History while attending Rutgers University (New Brunswick) to better understand the societal and historical forces that lead to the many intersecting injustices of our world. During this time, he interned with the campaign of Madelyn Hoffman for Governor of New Jersey and became involved with various social justice causes on campus.

After college, Spencer spent a year working for Nationalities Service Center in Philadelphia. There, he assisted in providing new immigrants with resources, legal and otherwise, to begin a new life in the United States. Through this position, he discovered an interest in the legal system, which so often is a major part of the immigrant experience. Afterwards, he entered the Paralegal Studies program at the Community College of Philadelphia to pursue this newfound passion. It is with that spirit that he continues his work at Juvenile Law Center, with the hope of eventually attending law school.