As a judicial intern, Billingham is given files for cases that are on the Judge’s docket and she researches and writes legal memoranda pertaining to them.
When I was younger, my nose was always in a book. This love of reading would eventually lead me to enter law school in order to further pursue this passion. Although I didn’t consider becoming a lawyer at first because of my litigation-centric view of the legal field, a transactional attorney at my middle school career day helped me to realize that there’s more to being a lawyer than simply arguing in a courtroom. After a year of stressing over the LSAT and law school applications, I decided to attend Rutgers Law School in Camden because of its intimate class size and renowned Legal Writing program. Since finishing my 1L year, I have been fortunate enough to begin interning with the Honorable Jerome B. Simandle at the District of New Jersey in Camden.
Under the guidance of Judge Simandle and his clerks, my legal research and writing skills improve every day. As a judicial intern, I am given files for cases that are on the Judge’s docket and then I research and write legal memoranda pertaining to them. The Judge then uses my memos to help prepare for these cases. Although I initially panicked after being handed a file on my first day, my panic quickly subsided once I remembered that I had already researched and written legal memos in my Legal Writing class at Rutgers. Even better, my first case concerned a civil procedure issue that I had learned about during 1L and had thought (or hoped) I wouldn’t see again until the bar exam. My familiarity with civil procedure and practice in researching and composing legal memos that I gained at Rutgers helped me to get through my first assignment with ease. Rutgers truly prepared me to be a judicial intern because knowing how to properly research and write has been essential to succeeding in my internship – parts of my legal memos will soon comprise portions of judicial opinions that Judge Simandle issues.
Not only are my legal research and writing skills improving, but I’m also gaining a better understanding of our federal justice system by watching trials for civil and criminal cases. Judge Simandle’s cases encompass a variety of legal issues that I haven’t yet encountered. I get the benefit of both watching the proceedings and having Judge Simandle explain the substance and procedure behind each. As the former Chief Judge for the District of New Jersey, Judge Simandle provides incredible insight and understanding into the judicial process. The intern program itself at the District of New Jersey in Camden also further educates its interns by holding weekly programs that range from the role of magistrate judges to the importance of juries. Many of the district judges themselves conduct these programs and impart their inimitable experience to the interns.
Although it might not seem to align with my preference for transactional work, the experience of interning at a federal district court is invaluable no matter which path you want to take with your law degree. Improving my legal research and writing skills and learning the inner workings of a federal district court from experienced judges and clerks will help me to become a better, well-rounded lawyer in two short years.
