Caroline Cease
Caroline Cease (’15) is starting her legal career with three federal clerkships.
She is clerking for Judge L. Scott Coogler on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama until August, and she will immediately begin clerking for Chief Judge Edward E. Carnes on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Her third clerkship will be for Judge Peter Hall on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the experience will remain with her throughout her legal career.
“You’re getting to know a federal judge really well and seeing how things work from the inside,” Cease said. “You get to see a lot of different cases, so you’re learning about different areas of law.”
In 2015, 12 UA Law students and graduates clerked for federal judges and 12 clerked for state judges. The position requires excellent legal research and writing skills and provides a rare glimpse into a legal mind.
“It’s a phenomenal learning opportunity,” said Lezlie Griffin, Assistant Dean for Career Services. “You learn skills and you build a relationship with a judge who can become your mentor, serve as a reference – and what better reference to have no matter what position you end up applying for in the future. A judge is the best reference you can have.”
Cease said no two days are the same. She reviews filed motions and researches the legal issues so that Judge Coogler (‘84) can formulate his opinion. She attends hearings, writes memos, schedules telephone conferences, and answers questions from attorneys regarding filing issues and other issues that can arise in their lawsuits.
She received the offer to clerk for Judge Coogler after she interned for him the summer of her first year. After she completed her second year, Cease interviewed with Judge Carnes and walked away with an offer. She interviewed with Judge Hall in his New York chambers during her third year after she met him during the Campbell Moot Court Competition.
Cease credits her law professors with helping her land the positions.
“Going it alone can be a scary process, and it’s good to have someone there who can walk you through it, talk you through it,” she said. “The Law School does a good job of that.”
Professor Carol Andrews first approached Cease about whether she was interested in clerking. Professor Kenneth Rosen, then-Chairman of the Judicial Clerkship Committee and who clerked for Judge Ed Carnes, guided her through the entire clerkship application and interview process throughout her time in law school. Legal Writing Instructor Anita Kay Head helped review cover letters and other relevant application materials.
Professor Fredrick Vars, the current Chairman of the Judicial Clerkship Committee, estimates judges receive hundreds of applications for each position. The application process is open, but class rank weighs heavily in hiring decisions. Students are attracted to clerkships because they open doors.
“When I moved to Chicago, having done a court of appeals clerkship, I got to pick which firm I wanted to work for,” said Vars, who clerked for Judge Bruce M. Selya on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and Judge Joan B. Gottschall on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
The committee’s goal is try to get a clerkship for every student who wants to clerk, Vars said. The Law School holds informational sessions three times during the academic year, and members of the Judicial Clerkship Committee provide counseling, as well as review resumes and cover letters. Students may also peruse a binder in the Career Services Office that lists former clerks and indicates whether they are willing to provide information about a judge or the clerkship process.
“Sometimes students underestimate their chances or are unwilling to take a chance because they know these are tough jobs to get,” Vars said. “The only way to know you won’t get a clerkship is not to apply.”
Alex Darby
Alex Darby (’15), a staff attorney for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, encourages students to apply. She is one of four 2015 Alabama Law graduates working with more than 60 attorneys who handle a variety of issues from immigration to employment discrimination. She said the position has strengthened her analytical and writing skills.
“It’s such a wonderful learning experience,” she said. “It provides great insight into the federal litigation process.”
Professors Heather Elliott and Ronald Krotoszynski strongly encouraged Kara Deal (’15) to pursue clerkships. She is clerking for Judge Susan L. Kelsey on the Florida First District Court of Appeals. Deal said she knew before she graduated she wanted the practical experience.
Kara Deal
“I can’t imagine a better vantage point for how the law really works,” she said. “It provides a great insider’s perspective. I’ve learned probably as much during the clerkship as I learned during all three years of law school.”
Deal cast a wide net for positions because she had been told it would be tough to land a clerkship. She applied for several positions in Alabama and then broadened her search to Tennessee and Florida. In May, she will begin clerking for Justice Tom Parker on the Alabama Supreme Court.
“It’s been a tremendous education experience so far,” she said, “and I’m really excited to have another year to gain more knowledge.”
2015 UA Law Clerks
Stanley E. Blackmon, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Morgan L. Booker, Presiding Judge William C. Thompson, Alabama Court of Civil Appeals
Gloria L. Breland, Judge James P. Smith
Brock E. Brett, Administrative Office of Courts
Abigail Castleberry, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, Staff Attorney’s Office
Caroline Cease, Judge L. Scott Coogler, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
Alex W. Darby, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, Staff Attorney’s Office
Madison R. Davis, Fourteenth Court of Appeals
Kara Deal, Florida First District Court of Appeal
Christopher Driver, Judge L. Scott Coogler, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
Alyse N. Gillman, Chief Judge Karon Bowdre, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
Mark Anthony Husted, Judge Michael G. Graffeo
David A. Kidd, State of Alabama, Administrative Office of Courts
Ayla Luers, Judge Dennis O’Dell
Misha Mitchell, Judge James Hughey, III, Alabama Circuit Court
Michael Morris, Judge Madeline Haikala, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
Tiffany Ray, U.S. Court of Appeals for 11th Circuit, Staff Attorney’s Office
Peggy Rossmanith, 37th Judicial Circuit of Alabama
Sam Schott, Judge Jay Zainey, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
Caroline Sims, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, Staff Attorney’s Office
Matthew Slaughter, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
Leigh C. Veillette, Judge Chris M. Comer
Brittney Wormely, Judge Annetta Verin, 10th Circuit Court
Brita Zacek, Judge Eric G. Bruggink
