OJPC’s Constitutional Litigation Clinic pays off
I am one of those people who always knew what I wanted to be when I grew up—an attorney. During my undergraduate program at Georgetown I had the opportunity to extern with the Fayette County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office in Lexington, Kentucky, which is where I got a true feeling for what trial attorneys do. Working with them made me realize that attorneys can help so many people and be the advocates for them in potentially some of the worst times of their lives. Knowing that kind of meaningful vocation is out there drives me to gain all the experience I can to ready myself to do that sort of work.
Kentucky Supreme court Justice Michelle Keller encouraged me to look into applying for the Constitutional Litigation Clinic at Chase Law School. Professor David Singleton provides such a great opportunity for real-world experiences that help students truly prepare for this field of work. By luck of the draw, I was selected to argue a case before the Sixth Court of Appeals in May 2014. Professor Singleton and I worked tirelessly on practice arguments to prepare for the case. I had many people, including several at OJPC, that helped me prepare for the argument, illustrating the lesson that no one has gotten to where they are today without the help of others.
On June 25th, 2014, I argued before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of my client, which at that time I considered the best day of my life—until I read the resulting opinion reversing the District Court’s decision in favor of my client, Mr. Cordell, and that was truly the best day ever! I felt like everything I have been working towards finally was a reality. Being an advocate for someone is the most rewarding experience, and I anticipate doing everything I can to make that my career. I am grateful for the Constitutional Litigation Clinic at OJPC, and look forward to all I still have left to learn.