Week five took me out of my usual routine in the best way possible.
Much of the week was spent researching and preparing for the Summer Associate Program’s motion writing competition. This year’s problem centers on a Daubert motion to exclude expert testimony, which challenged me to think critically about evidentiary standards and how courts evaluate an expert’s qualifications and methodology. It has been one of the most challenging and rewarding assignments of the summer so far.
Midweek, the Miami office attended the Miami Multicultural Food Festival. It was a great opportunity to connect with everyone across the office, from attorneys and paralegals to legal assistants. Events like this are a reminder of the strong sense of community that exists at the firm beyond the day-to-day work.
Later in the week, I traveled to Tampa for an opening and closing statement workshop led by Rob Blank. Preparing in advance made the experience even more rewarding. Delivering an opening statement in an actual courthouse was unlike anything I have done this summer, and receiving feedback from experienced trial attorneys in that setting made the exercise especially valuable. Lunch afterward also provided an opportunity to connect with attorneys from the Tampa office and spend time with colleagues I do not see every day.
With the motion writing competition due next week, it is time to put the finishing touches on what has been both a challenging and rewarding assignment. I am looking forward to seeing how everything I have learned throughout the summer comes together.
