Noa Nevo `27 spent her summer externing for Judge Josephine L. Stanton, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, where she was exposed to a variety of civil matters. From motions to dismiss arbitration disputes, she gained practical experience that strengthened her skill set and shaped her interest in civil litigation.
1. How did you land your summer job?
With the support and instruction of Professor Grace Parrish and the Career Development Office, I applied to extern for Judge Staton by sending my application materials on Dec. 1 and received an invitation to interview in early January. I then interviewed with her clerks in mid-January and received an offer a couple of days later.
2. What was/is the most interesting part of your job?
So far, the most interesting part of my job is the wide variety of legal issues we work on. This includes, but isn’t limited to, contract disputes, arbitration issues, ADA cases, intellectual property matters, and employment claims. I don’t work on criminal matters, but I have also had the opportunity to observe several sentencing hearings, which have been fascinating to watch.
3. What has been your most challenging assignment thus far?
Currently, I am working on a motion to compel arbitration where the central issue is interpreting the meaning of the words “contract of employment.” It is the most challenging assignment so far because the opposing party has not filed an opposition to the motion yet. This means that I am evaluating an argument without seeing its counterarguments, which is a challenge.
4. What new legal skill have you acquired during your summer job?
I have strengthened my research and writing skills already in these first couple of weeks. I have also gained a strong working knowledge about the issues I have had to research for my assignments.
5. What bit of legal knowledge have you been able to display?
I have been able to showcase my knowledge of civil procedure because I work on various motions, such as motions to dismiss for lack of personal or subject matter jurisdiction, motions for default judgment, and motions to compel arbitration, to name a few. These motions all have their own standards that I learned in my Civil Procedure class that I now can apply to this work.
6. How has Loyola helped you map your career path?
I came into law school relatively set on becoming a public defender but enjoyed Civil Procedure so much and am so interested in the cases I am working on for my judge that I am now considering a career in civil litigation. My career counselor has been supportive and encouraging throughout this shift.