Students share about their robust experiences working in a variety of legal roles over the summer.
Monday, October 23, 2023

Amy Johnson and Steven Saenz, Class of 2025

Clerked together at Hayes Lorenzen Biderman Lawyers PLC / Iowa City, IA.

“It felt affirming to advocate for a client during what can often be some of the most challenging moments in their lives,” Saenz says. If Johnson could give one piece of advice to someone looking for an internship after 1L year, she would tell them “to seek out an opportunity where you will get the most hands-on experience and have opportunities to interact with clients one-on-one.”

 

Lindsey Gilberg, Class of 2024

Summer Associate at Mayer Brown in New York City / New York, NY

“Each work experience has helped me hone my interests and professional skills. I really enjoy applying the legal knowledge and skills that I have learned in the classroom to actual client matters.”

 

Roya Green, Class of 2025

International NGO / Geneva, Switzerland

“This internship has allowed me to work alongside lawyers and law students from around the world. It has been fascinating to conduct legal research on criminal procedure codes in other countries.”

 

Branden Messmer, Class of 2025

U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee / Washington, D.C.

“Walk through open doors. Applications are annoying, and it’s hard to know whether something is possible or just a pipedream, but you can get much further than you expect.”

 

Alexis Jones, Class of 2025

Judicial Extern to Justice David K. Thomson, New Mexico Supreme Court / Santa Fe, NM

“It is invaluable being able to see how Justice Thomson and his law clerk think through legal issues, taking great care in choosing what words to use, ensuring that every case citation says what the writer purports it to say, and that every factual citation is supported by the record. Additionally, it has been incredible learning from my fellow externs about subjects such as tribal law, and other legal issues unique to New Mexico.

 

Siduri Beckman, Class of 2025

Legal intern with the Office of the Federal Defender for the District of Connecticut / New Haven, CT

“I have loved working with the attorneys at this office. Their commitment to their work and the holistic way they approach every case continues to inspire me, and I learn something new from them every day. They approach the work as a team to be conscious of the gravity of the situation, which allows for so many different kinds of strengths to be present as the team makes complicated decisions related to a person’s defense.”

 

Brennden Prohaska, Class of 2025 

Summer Associate for Faegre Drinker / Denver, CO 

“Law school tends to teach the law in a very individualized way with students picking their classes, studying for individual assessments of their work, etc. In practice though, the work you do is the product of a team of
associates, partners, and professional staff all working together to best serve the client’s needs.”

 

James Miller, Class of 2025

Interning with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission  / Des Moines, IA

“I had the chance to get hands-on experience in the law while working with a group of people that are clearly devoted to advancing the public good. I have a much clearer picture of what it is like to work in government, and no matter what my next steps may be, I can definitively say that I am in a much better position having worked with the ICRC!