Why did you choose to pursue a clerkship mid-career?
I decided to clerk to become a better lawyer—I wanted to better understand judicial decision-making from the inside, sharpen my writing and research skills, and develop a relationship with a mentor. I became very interested in criminal law while working on a money laundering investigation at S&C, and felt that clerking, particularly in SDNY, would expose me to that type of work.
Considering all of the opportunities available to you, why did you choose to return to S&C?
I decided to return to S&C because of the people, and the Firm’s generalist model. The talent at S&C is top-notch, and I am constantly learning from my colleagues and peers. I wanted to continue to gain experience on a variety of matter types, which S&C’s generalist model encourages.
How has the experience impacted your practice?
Clerking helped me understand that legal writing has a very specific audience and taught me how to write for that audience. I feel better equipped to identify the broader issues at play and present them effectively to judges. Clerking also made me much more confident in my research and presentation skills.
What types of matters have you worked on?
One of the best parts about clerking in SDNY was the wide variety of cases that came before Judge Buchwald, ranging from breach of contract, to Section 1983, to trademark infringement, to maritime. Judge Buchwald also involves her clerks in criminal cases, so I was able to draft decisions on compassionate release and suppression motions. At S&C, I mostly work on government investigations, as well as some securities litigation and asylum pro bono work.
