This week was packed with opportunities to learn, connect with colleagues, and continue developing my advocacy skills. It was one of the most memorable weeks of the summer so far.
On Monday, I had lunch with partner Carie Hall at DeVito’s before attending a client conference call and a case management hearing with my mentor, Renee Duffy. I also worked on drafting a motion to compel discovery, which gave me additional experience preparing litigation documents.
Tuesday was another great day. I attended Rob Blank’s opening and closing statement seminar, which provided valuable insight into effective courtroom advocacy and helped prepare me for Friday’s workshop. Afterward, I met with Paulina Jacobs over coffee to discuss a memo I recently wrote and ask questions about my assignments. Later, I enjoyed lunch with Rob and Renee at Che Vita, where we talked about the Summer Associate Program and what to expect during the workshop.
Wednesday brought a fun change of pace with the firm’s multicultural lunch. Everyone shared dishes that reflected their backgrounds, and I made homemade tzatziki and feta herb dip to represent my Greek heritage. I also began drafting the closing argument I would present later in the week.
After work, the Tampa office tailgated at Tropicana Field before watching the Rays defeat the Kansas City Royals 5-3. It was a great opportunity to spend time with everyone outside the office.
On Thursday, I focused on preparing for Friday’s presentation by practicing my closing argument. I also completed several assignments, including preparing letters of protection, drafting a motion to overrule a plaintiff’s objection to nonparty discovery, and attending a hearing on a motion to dismiss. That evening, I spent extra time practicing so I would feel confident heading into the workshop.
Friday was the highlight of the week. The summer associates gathered at the Tampa office before walking to the courthouse with Rob to participate in the opening and closing statement workshop. After presenting our arguments and receiving thoughtful feedback from the attorneys, we had the opportunity to meet Chief Judge Sabella, who graciously allowed us to use the courtroom for our presentations. We wrapped up the experience with lunch at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor, where we celebrated a successful workshop together.
Overall, I left the week feeling more confident in my oral advocacy skills and grateful for the experiences, mentorship, and relationships that continue to shape my summer at RumbergerKirk.
