Summer judicial internships have become a law school tradition across the country and an important part of the clinical and experiential learning requirement for law students at South Texas College of Law Houston.
Students earn academic credit and real-world skills and experience while participating in the program. This year’s 58 judicial interns are already applying some of what they learned in chambers and courtrooms to their legal studies.
“This work experience gave me insight into how lawsuits actually work,” said Ashley Turnage a rising 2L who spent her summer as a federal judicial intern for the Hon. Alia Moses, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, and first female federal judge appointed to serve on the bench for that district. “I learned how a judge might think about a case and how to draft documents in a way to achieve the desired result. I’m excited to implement those skills into my legal writing now and continue improving throughout the rest of my time in law school.”
Gloria Martinez, class of 2028, likewise feels she is already reaping the benefits of her summer experience. “Law school has provided a strong foundation in legal research, writing, and analysis, but this internship showed me how those skills are applied in practice,” she said. “I became a more careful legal writer, learned the importance of precision and objectivity, and developed a deeper appreciation for clear, well-supported legal arguments.”
In addition to gaining first-hand experience and insight into the legal system’s inner workings, interns benefit the participating organizations. “Our students bring energy, intellect, and fresh perspective to their placements,” said director of academic externships and adjunct professor Aimee Madonado ’15. “Under the guidance of their experienced mentors, externs contribute meaningful legal work while developing critical skills essential to effective lawyering.”
Academic externships also provide students with the opportunity to build their resumes, network, and develop relationships with legal professionals, and students gain experience that might prove helpful if they choose to compete for a post-graduate clerkship.
Interviews with some of this summer’s externs revealed their placements spanned the state and provided them important work experience such as conducting legal research; drafting various kinds of memoranda; observing hearings, trials, and sentencings; discussing cases with chambers staff and judges; and occasionally assisting with drafting opinions or orders under supervision.
They worked for well-respected federal judges in the Eastern, Western, and Southern U.S. District Courts of Texas, and were involved in criminal cases, complex civil litigation, and immigration cases.
Shiva Zamen, class of 2028, who interned for two judges – one in Houston, one in Brownsville – described the experience in one sentence: “My time at both courts was priceless.” Zamen gained familiarity with court operations and practices, while witnessing how legal theory is applied in real time. “I would recommend a judicial internship to any law student for the incredible experience it allows.”Â
Here are a few examples of South Texas Law students who had the opportunity to intern with federal judges this past summer:
Madison LeBlanc, 2LÂ
Hon. Michael J. Truncale, U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Texas – Beaumont/Lufkin
Ashley Turnage, 2L
Chief Judge Alia Moses, U.S. District Court of the Western District of Texas – Del Rio
Shiva Zamen, 2L
Hon. Alfred Bennett, U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Texas – Houston
Hon. Karen Betancourt, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Texas – Brownsville
Fred Ball, 2LÂ
Hon. Charles R. Eskridge, U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Texas – HoustonÂ
Gloria Martinez, 2LÂ Â
Hon. Alfred H. Bennett, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of TexasÂ
