Law School: The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law

College: Benedictine College

Expected Graduation: May 2027

Hometown: Atchison, KS

Campus Activities: Moot Court, Guild of Catholic Lawyers.

What were your duties as an NCLA clerk?  

I researched a variety of topics for NCLA’s litigators. For example, when NCLA was interested in a possible case I would research states and their statutes to decide the best venue. I also clarified through research federal rules of civil procedure or other filing procedures that were unclear.

What did you most enjoy about your clerkship?

The other law clerks. Working with such a wide group of legal minds from numerous law schools was very rewarding. The friendships and fresh takes on legal concepts helped improve the work content I produced. The gift of being in person is talking and collaborating with your work colleagues.

What interesting thing(s) did you learn about Administrative Law?

I learned that whenever an agency regulation is released it is published on the Federal Register and there is a comment period. If an individual or corporation finds the regulation repulsive it is crucial to comment on the problems during the comment period. Often times winning or losing a case can be determined through the comments or lack thereof.

How might you use what you’ve learned later in your professional career?

Administrative law unfortunately affects all of our lives. Now that I know how to comment in a useful way I can make sure that my voice is heard. Additionally, I learned how to research in a variety of ways that can be used no matter where I end up.

Any advice for other students who want to clerk at NCLA in the future?

In order to be a law clerk at NCLA it is important to be a self-advocate and personally motivated. You will receive as much work as needed but need to be motivated to keep up with it and to receive feedback and a new project. Additionally, be willing to ask questions, all of the attorneys are more than happy to help you, but they cannot answer an unasked question.