It Was a Deposition Kind of Week!

The second week of my summer at RumbergerKirk has been full of meaningful experiences that are helping shape my understanding of litigation in ways the classroom simply can’t replicate.

This week, I had the incredible opportunity to sit in on a mediation with partner Steve Klein, a fellow Gator and a truly outstanding attorney. Steve went out of his way to ensure I understood the process every step of the way, explaining the dynamics of the negotiation and the roles of each party involved. It was an incredibly valuable learning experience, and I walked away with a much clearer picture of how effective advocacy can look in a mediation setting.

On Thursday, I had the chance to attend a deposition seminar with partner David Marsey from our Tallahassee office. David guided us through the structure and strategy of depositions. I was surprised to realize how many common misconceptions I had, and David helped break those down for us. That same afternoon, I attended my first in-person deposition with associate Devin Topper. Watching the techniques I had just learned come to life in real time was fascinating. Devin took the time afterward to answer my questions and explain his approach, making sure I got the most out of the experience.

Beyond these hands-on experiences, I’ve continued working on research assignments on a range of topics. One of the unique aspects of the RumbergerKirk summer program is that we receive evaluations from the attorneys we work with after each assignment. These evaluations include thoughtful feedback on what we did well and where we can improve. It’s been one of the most helpful parts of the experience so far and speaks volumes about the firm’s investment in our growth.

P.S. As of right now, the plant is still alive and well. After conducting some research, I have orchid food and a special watering can on the way (thanks Amazon!).