Even though the Fourth of July holiday shortened the week, it proved to be one of the most action-packed of the summer. From mock trial preparation to a product inspection and substantive legal assignments, there was no shortage of meaningful experiences.
The week kicked off with an introduction to our upcoming mock trial, and I could not be more excited. During my trial advocacy course, I only had the opportunity to complete a handful of trials from start to finish, so adding another full trial experience is incredibly valuable. Mock trials provide a unique opportunity to sharpen courtroom skills in a low-stakes environment, and each one builds the confidence and instincts that simply cannot be learned from a textbook.
Tuesday brought an early morning and a road trip to Florida’s west coast with a partner to inspect a product at the center of a warranty case. The experience quickly became one of the highlights of my week. I had the opportunity to observe our expert witness in action, watching as they carefully examined the product, documented their observations, and discussed technical issues with the legal team. Seeing those conversations unfold gave me a much deeper appreciation for the discovery process. It’s one thing to study discovery in law school, but seeing it firsthand adds an entirely different level of understanding.
I rounded out the week by working on several substantive motions, continuing to strengthen my legal research and writing skills while applying what I’ve learned throughout the summer.
Although it was a shorter week, it served as a great reminder that some of the most valuable learning experiences happen outside the classroom, and sometimes outside the courtroom.
