On-the-job training is a crucial part of a law school education. While this training can take many forms, for three Regent University students who recently completed their second year in the School of Law, it comes as a summer opportunity to work closely with judges across the United States.
Laura Zuber is interning for the Honorable Bobby R. Baldock of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Roswell, N.M. As an intern, her days are spent conducting research for the judge's pending cases and writing bench memoranda based on the parties' briefs submitted to the court as well as other documents related to cases before the court. Her research covers procedural history, the facts of the case and the legal arguments being used.
But, her days aren't simply spent in research and writing. "Throughout the day, I may be asked to proofread a draft, read an opinion in the circuit, or talk with the judge about good skills to have as a clerk and lawyer," she said. "I [also] spent one week with Judge Baldock and his staff in Denver, Colo., for a term of court. A typical day there is hearing oral arguments in the morning and then working in the office in the afternoon on various cases."
Andy Kartchner is in the middle of an externship for the Honorable Michael W. Mosman of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. Similar to Zuber, his days are filled with a variety of duties for the judge.
"The judge has a lot on his plate, so basically I work as a third clerk for him, researching the cases and making recommendations on motions and other rulings," Kartchner explained. "Every once in a while there is an interesting hearing or oral argument that I attend as well. That is a great experience because I get to sit up front and watch the attorneys' faces while they argue instead of watching them from the gallery. From that vantage point you can really see how some styles are more effective than others."
Thanks to Regent Law's Career & Alumni Services, Rachel Toberty secured an internship with the Honorable Judge Randolph A. Beales of the Virginia Court of Appeals. Similar to Kartchner and Zuber, her workdays involve assisting Judge Beales and his clerks with legal research.
All three students agree that their first two years at Regent Law prepared them for their work.
"This judicial internship is all about writing clearly and concisely," Zuber said. "Knowing how to research effectively is a good tool as well because I am on Westlaw or LexisNexis for hours each day. Being a part of Regent's Law Review has helped refine my editing skills and those are essential in this internship."
"I put my education to work every single day," Kartchner added. "I spend most of my day researching and writing, so those skills I have learned at Regent have served me well .... I take it personally to represent the school out here on the West Coast."
"My training thus far at Regent has prepared me extremely well for this opportunity," Toberty said. "Working on the Journal of Law and Public Policy has taught me great editing skills and how to be detail oriented. Also, working as a graduate assistant for [John Brown McCarty Professor of Family Law] Lynne Marie Kohm has given me research experience that has served me well in this job."
Learn more about Regent Law’s Office of Career & Alumni Services.
Laura Zuber is interning for the Honorable Bobby R. Baldock of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Roswell, N.M. As an intern, her days are spent conducting research for the judge's pending cases and writing bench memoranda based on the parties' briefs submitted to the court as well as other documents related to cases before the court. Her research covers procedural history, the facts of the case and the legal arguments being used.
But, her days aren't simply spent in research and writing. "Throughout the day, I may be asked to proofread a draft, read an opinion in the circuit, or talk with the judge about good skills to have as a clerk and lawyer," she said. "I [also] spent one week with Judge Baldock and his staff in Denver, Colo., for a term of court. A typical day there is hearing oral arguments in the morning and then working in the office in the afternoon on various cases."
Andy Kartchner is in the middle of an externship for the Honorable Michael W. Mosman of the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. Similar to Zuber, his days are filled with a variety of duties for the judge.
"The judge has a lot on his plate, so basically I work as a third clerk for him, researching the cases and making recommendations on motions and other rulings," Kartchner explained. "Every once in a while there is an interesting hearing or oral argument that I attend as well. That is a great experience because I get to sit up front and watch the attorneys' faces while they argue instead of watching them from the gallery. From that vantage point you can really see how some styles are more effective than others."
Thanks to Regent Law's Career & Alumni Services, Rachel Toberty secured an internship with the Honorable Judge Randolph A. Beales of the Virginia Court of Appeals. Similar to Kartchner and Zuber, her workdays involve assisting Judge Beales and his clerks with legal research.
All three students agree that their first two years at Regent Law prepared them for their work.
"This judicial internship is all about writing clearly and concisely," Zuber said. "Knowing how to research effectively is a good tool as well because I am on Westlaw or LexisNexis for hours each day. Being a part of Regent's Law Review has helped refine my editing skills and those are essential in this internship."
"I put my education to work every single day," Kartchner added. "I spend most of my day researching and writing, so those skills I have learned at Regent have served me well .... I take it personally to represent the school out here on the West Coast."
"My training thus far at Regent has prepared me extremely well for this opportunity," Toberty said. "Working on the Journal of Law and Public Policy has taught me great editing skills and how to be detail oriented. Also, working as a graduate assistant for [John Brown McCarty Professor of Family Law] Lynne Marie Kohm has given me research experience that has served me well in this job."
Learn more about Regent Law’s Office of Career & Alumni Services.
By Rachel Judy