My third week at RumbergerKirk was packed with exciting opportunities and experiences.
The week began with a motion writing seminar, where we learned strategies for organizing and formatting legal writing in a way that is both persuasive and easy to follow. We also received the problem for the Summer Associate Program’s Motion Writing Competition, and I am excited to put what I have learned into practice and challenge myself as a legal writer.
On Wednesday, Dylan and I attended the Federal Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Event at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. We heard from an impressive panel of judges and attorneys who shared insights into appellate practice, strategy, and advocacy. It was both engaging and informative, and I learned a great deal from the discussion.
Following last week’s deposition workshop, we spent this week preparing for and conducting a mock deposition. Afterward, we received feedback on our questioning techniques and overall performance. Our mock witness did an excellent job of keeping us on our toes, reinforcing the importance of actively listening to a witness’s answers and adapting questions accordingly.
I also had the opportunity to attend my second deposition with associate Brent Hartman. Observing his approach was incredibly valuable, particularly his ability to evaluate responses quickly, adjust his questioning in real-time, and maintain a clear strategy throughout the examination.
In addition, Dylan and I sat in on our first mediation with associate Hannah Steele. Watching her advocate for her client while skillfully navigating negotiations provided valuable insight into the mediation process and the role effective communication plays in reaching a resolution.
To wrap up the week, we attended the partner happy hour, which was a great opportunity to meet partners from across RumbergerKirk’s offices and learn more about their practices and experiences.
Week three certainly kept me busy, but every opportunity helped me build new skills and gain a deeper understanding of the practice of law. I am looking forward to seeing what next week brings.
