Our 2019 Summer Clerkship Program brought four law students for an intellectually challenging and professionally gratifying experience. Nearing the end of the program, the students agreed to share a few of the highlights from their summer.
Sarah Morgado joined us from the Florida International University College of Law, where she is the Vice President of the Federal Bar Association’s FIU Chapter and Editor-in-Chief of the FIU Law Review. Sarah was previously a judicial intern for the Honorable Adalberto Jordan and the Honorable Jose E. Martinez. She is expected to graduate in 2020.
Here is what Sarah had to say about her summer at Shutts.
Q1. How did you decide to pursue this position?
I applied to Shutts during my school’s on-campus interview process and was selected for an on-campus screening interview. Shutts was actually the first firm I interviewed with, and the two attorneys who interviewed me left an amazing first impression. It was after my callback that I knew Shutts was where I wanted to be. The firm had the perfect combination of what I was looking for—it was filled with excellent attorneys who were also kind and down-to-earth people. I wanted to surround myself with people that would help me grow as a lawyer and as a person, and Shutts was the perfect place to do just that.
Q2. What did you do before coming to Shutts?
I attended University of South Florida in Tampa for undergrad and majored in psychology, but I knew I wanted to return to southeast Florida for law school. After my first year at FIU Law, I completed a summer internship with the Honorable Jose E. Martinez at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida over the summer. I also had the opportunity to intern for the Honorable Adalberto Jordan in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit during the spring of my second year.
Q3. What advice would you give to someone looking for a summer clerkship and succeed in it?
Be yourself and be driven. First, being yourself is essential, both in the interview process and at your clerkship. Your interviewers want to know who you are; they don’t want robotic, practiced answers—they want to know if you are someone they can spend time with, work closely with, go to happy hour with, and laugh with. This also rings true during your actual clerkship, which is essentially a ten-week interview. Let your personality shine through! And second, be driven, both in looking for a job and during your summer experience. Showing initiative during the interview process and during your clerkship will leave a great impression.
Q4. What were the three most memorable experiences throughout your time here?
First, I had the opportunity to draft a motion to dismiss that is now set for hearing after my summer clerkship is over. It was very interesting and exciting to draft a substantive dispositive motion. Second, I was able to attend a hearing that I conducted research in preparation for. The judge ruled for our client, and seeing the judge rely on a case I found in making his decision was very rewarding. And last, but not least, playing laser tag at our firm picnic event. There’s nothing like zapping your supervising attorneys with a laser gun! It was so much fun.
About Shutts & Bowen LLP
Shutts & Bowen, established in 1910, is a full-service business law firm with approximately 300 lawyers in offices in Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. Learn more about Shutts & Bowen at www.shutts.com.