This week was one of the busiest — and most rewarding — of my summer so far.
I spent several late nights in the office putting the finishing touches on my Motion Competition assignment. After digging into the facts, researching the relevant case law, and refining my strategy, I finally reached my favorite part: writing. Legal writing has quickly become one of my favorite aspects of law, and this competition has been an incredible opportunity to step into the role of an attorney handling a real case. Seeing all of my hard work come together in a finished motion was incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited — and a little nervous — to argue my position next week.
Even with much of my focus on the Motion Competition, I still had the opportunity to watch experienced attorneys in action. I attended a hearing on a motion to dismiss with Anne Romero in a case I had previously worked on. Since I had already reviewed both our motion and the plaintiff’s response, it was exciting to watch those written arguments come to life in the courtroom. Seeing how the attorneys used their limited time to focus on the strongest issues gave me an even greater appreciation for the importance of clear, persuasive advocacy.
The highlight of my week was attending a mediation with Suzanne Singer. After both sides presented their opening statements, we met with the defense team in a breakout room, and Suzanne made sure Cory and I were actively involved throughout the process. She asked for our thoughts on settlement strategy, giving us the opportunity to think through the case as members of the litigation team rather than observers. I even applied concepts from Doug Ede’s mediation presentation to help estimate the opposing party’s valuation of the case. Although the mediation did not result in a settlement, it was still an invaluable experience. I learned that even when a case does not settle, mediation can provide important insight into each party’s priorities and negotiating strategy.
I also began a research assignment for Mike Holt involving the admissibility of evidence at trial. Since I enjoy working with the Rules of Evidence, I was excited to dive into hearsay issues in a practical setting. I researched and drafted a memorandum analyzing whether several documents and statements could be admitted to support our lack-of-causation defense or used as impeachment evidence at trial. It was rewarding to see how thoughtful legal research can directly support trial strategy.
I wrapped up the week heading into the long holiday weekend feeling energized, grateful for everything I’m learning, and even more excited for what’s ahead as a summer associate at RumbergerKirk.
