Year: 2023-24

Holly Furlow

Goldman and Peterson and Port of Corpus Christi – San Antonio, Texas

What do you like most about your job?

Goldman and Peterson is a great learning environment. It gave me the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects that helped me develop practical litigation and general experience. My favorite part is that the partners and associates took the time to explain the litigation process to me and provided constructive criticism on my projects that helped me develop my skills.

How do you think this experience has helped you in your career path?

This job has given me insight into the practical aspects of being a lawyer and how to efficiently run a law firm as a business. I have been able to apply the legal concepts I learned during my first year of law school directly to actual cases. The direct feedback I received on the motions I drafted helped me improve my legal writing skills and better understand the ligation process.

Do you plan to continue working at this job into the next school year, and after graduation?

I will continue to work for Goldman & Peterson through the 2023-2024 school year. I am excited to continue to learn and work on projects I started this summer. I am currently evaluating clerkships for the 2024 summer to explore all areas of the law in which I have interest.  Goldman & Peterson definitely has all of the qualities of a firm I would work for after graduation

What do you like most about your job?

My favorite part of my job is getting to be at The Port every day and seeing the vast and unique aspects of business, politics, and law involved in the operation of The Port. I have thoroughly enjoyed sitting in on committee meetings and learning how the Port of Corpus Christi is run, as well as gaining insight into the marine shipping industry.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned at this job?

The most valuable thing I have learned on the job is to be flexible. The Port of Corpus Christi’s legal team faces a diverse array of legal issues every day. For the Port’s lawyers to be successful, they must be proficient in many areas of law and ready to tackle new tasks every day. The attorneys’ flexibility allows them to adapt to new issues they face and proficiently handle them for their client’s success.

What doors has this job opened for you, whether in your personal or professional life?

This internship has allowed me to make great contacts. I have shadowed Dane Brunne, who is an outstanding attorney and has been an excellent mentor. He has helped me learn about shipping and maritime law and explained to me the inner workings of the Port of CC. I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to shadow and learn from him. Working at The Port of Corpus Christi has confirmed my interest in maritime and shipping law. This internship has also allowed me to make many valuable contacts within the industry in which I am actively pursuing a career.

What is the one piece of advice you have for other students?

I advise students to start making contacts as soon as possible for future clerkships and be proactive in applying for summer clerkships. As a first-year J.D. student, you likely have little to no experience in the legal field. Making personal connections with future employers and applying early will give you an advantage in securing a clerkship. Also, students should be aggressive in determining deadlines for applying for clerkships as they are often much earlier than one may realize. If possible, try to have a job in a different area of practice for each summer session so you are exposed to different areas of law. This is the best way to figure out what you enjoy and where you would like to pursue a future career! I am very grateful for the opportunities I have had this summer, and they have tremendously helped me in learning the practical aspects of being an attorney.

Emily Carielo Treviño

Quintana & Barajas, PLLC – San Antonio, Texas

How did you get your job and how long have you been there?

I applied through CORE. I was trying to decide whether to get a job/internship/externship or take summer classes.  I told myself that I would apply to this ONE job posting and if it was the right fit and I was offered the position I would take it and if not, I would enroll in classes. I came to the interview and met the two partners and immediately knew I wanted to be here and that this would be a great fit. I started in February of 2023 working just a few hours a week so that I could learn their writing styles, important rules, and learn as much as I could ahead of the summer.

What do you like most about your job?

The partners here, Carlos Quintana and Jose Barajas, trust me. Obviously, I work under a lot of supervision, but I am not doing meaningless work. I get to write pre-trial briefs, responses, motions, SAPCRs, attend hearings, sit in on client intake/hearing prep/etc., correspond with the clients, and much more.

What is the most challenging part about your job?

When you realize that people’s lives very literally depend on how well you present their case through your writing, it can immobilize you with fear.  And it has.  Pushing through that is the hardest part.  Also, hearing the atrocities that immigrants have lived through and feeling helpless towards the millions of people back in their home countries who are still living it is hard.

How do you think this experience has helped you in your career path? 

My first day on the job one of the partners, Carlos Quintana, handed me a case and asked me to prepare a pre-trial brief. I looked behind me to see who he was talking to, but as you guessed it, he was talking to me. Much like law school, it reinforced my ability to swim in lieu of sinking, and I am so grateful for it. Further, I knew that I wanted to be an advocate for vulnerable populations be it children, elderly, the disabled, etc.  Working for this firm, I can advocate for a very wide range of people. While the caseload is currently primarily immigration, the firm is expanding! We will have two new associates soon (both StMU Law 2023 graduates) and the partners are working to expand in the areas of criminal and family law.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned at this job? 

Pay attention and take time to read. Read the rules, read precedent cases that used those rules, read how the elements of the rules were applied. Pay attention to anything a partner or supervising attorney says, even if they’re not talking directly to you. You can learn a lot just from hearing their conversations, the questions they ask clients, and the advice they give.

Do you plan to continue working at this job into the next school year, and after graduation?  ​

I will be here for as long as they will have me.

​What doors has this job opened for you, whether in your personal or professional life? 

This job is the door that opened. They took a chance on me without having any immigration knowledge and just a sprinkle of legal knowledge in general. From here other doors will open I’m sure, but for now I am focused on where I am at. As far as my personal life, this job has allowed me a healthy work life balance where I can entertain my ambitions and still spend a substantial amount of time with my family and being a mom.

What is the one piece of advice you have for other students? 

Apply for the job, even if it is an area of law that you didn’t know you were interested in, or are scared that you have no knowledge in. You might be surprised and land a unicorn.

Emily Mann

Jackson Walker, LLP – San Antonio, Texas

How did you get your job and how long have you been there?

I interviewed with Jackson Walker for a second-year J.D. student Summer Associate position towards the end of my first year in summer. From May 2023 to July 2023, I clerked as a second-year J.D. student Summer Associate at the San Antonio office.

What do you like most about your job?

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my job was the time spent with attorneys. Jackson Walker did an exceptional job ensuring that each summer clerk worked directly with associates and partners within our specific practice group. When feasible, the summer associates were also invited to hear opening and closing arguments of various trials, prepare clients for depositions, and attend depositions and court hearings.
In addition to the workday, I enjoyed the social events and activities hosted by various associates, partners, and the recruiting team. The social activities were an excellent opportunity to build relationships with attorneys, staff, and other summer associates and get a feel for the people, work, and firm culture.

How do you think this experience has helped you in your career path?

This summer experience reaffirmed my career interest in trial and appellate litigation.

Do you plan to continue working at this job into the next school year and after graduation?

Yes. Following my second-year J.D. student Summer Associate experience, I accepted a post-graduation offer to join Jackson Walker as an Associate in the Trial and Appellate Litigation practice with a concentration in Energy disputes.

What is the one piece of advice you have for other students?

Stay consistent in your legal studies, put in the work, build relationships, be eager to learn and take advantage of the opportunities presented to you.

Dana Aponte

Travis County District Attorney’s Office – Austin, Texas

How did you get your job and how long have you been there?

The most valuable thing I’ve learned from this internship is the real-life daily experience of work inside and outside the courtroom, as well as, the interaction with attorneys, staff, and the judge. This internship demonstrated to me that I am very passionate and intrigued with criminal law and courtroom litigation

What do you like most about your job?

The interaction with the Assistant District Attorney was fantastic. I was included in all aspects of cases. I enjoyed working on cases and seeing the results of the hard work and teamwork between the ADAs, interns and staff.

What is the most challenging part about your job?

The most challenging part of my job was overcoming the burden that each case involves someone’s life and it’s your responsibility to do justice not just for the victim, but also the offender. Seeing young men and women who committed crimes facing serious and potentially life-changing consequences is an everyday reality in the felony trial division.

How do you think this experience has helped you in your career path? 

This experience has increased my interest in criminal law and opened my mind to both sides of the system. It helped me understand the amount of work devoted to each case in preparation for a resolution, whether by plea bargain or trial.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned at this job? 

The most valuable thing I’ve learned from this internship is the real-life daily experience of work inside and outside the courtroom, as well as, the interaction with attorneys, staff, and the judge. This internship demonstrated to me that I am very passionate and intrigued with criminal law and courtroom litigation.

What doors has this job opened for you, whether in your personal or professional life?

This internship expanded my connections and helped me to establish professional relationships with mentors at the DA’s office.

What is the one piece of advice you have for other students?

A piece of advice for other students is to get as much experience as possible during any summer internship they obtain. This internship specifically gives an excellent opportunity to be in court on a nearly daily basis. Students should be open to gaining as much knowledge in all areas of the law and take advantage of any opportunities they have.

Carlie Crenwelge

Patel | Gaines, San Antonio, Texas

How did you get your job and how long have you been there?

I got my job through CORE! I have been working for Patel Gaines since May of 2023.

What do you like most about your job?

There are so many things I like about working at Patel Gaines. I think what I like most is getting to work on new assignments every week and seeing so many sides of the law. All my assignments have also shown me how our firm helps a wide variety of clients. It is especially exciting when letters I draft are sent to clients for review or to opposing counsel.

What is the most challenging part about your job?

I hope to practice in Family Law after law school, so this job has taught me a lot about the procedural and substantive work that goes into it. It also made me feel confident about my chosen field of law. 

How do you think this experience has helped you in your career path? 

This experience has helped solidify my interest to work within the world of business law and has taught me how much a good work environment impacts performance!

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned at this job? 

The most valuable thing I have learned at this job has been that my best friends are (1) Dorsaneo and (2) Texas Codes Annotated by LexisNexis. Being able to research efficiently makes life so much easier! Additionally, when I feel stuck, it helps to take a step back and look at secondary sources for a broader view of the law.

What is the one piece of advice you have for other students? 

One piece of advice I have for other students is, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from your supervisor or ask for guidance from co-workers. While it is important to do your best to work through challenging assignments, it is also good to check in and confirm your time and energy are not misguided. Lastly, I would also recommend applying for jobs that correlate with areas of law that interest you. It can sometimes be hard to find a job that meets all your criteria for the “perfect job” – like the size of the firm, location, pay, etc. But gaining early experience on something that you find fascinating will always be a win!

Alison Wise

The Law Firm of Cyrus F. Rea II — San Antonio, Texas

How did you get your job and how long have you been there?

I found my job on CORE. I used the filter to find Family Law positions and submitted my resume and cover letter. I interviewed in person and then started my job on May 31, 2023. 

What do you like most about your job?

I like that the small firm environment provides me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with every element of the business, from court proceedings to administrative duties. 

How do you think this experience has helped you in your career path?

I hope to practice in Family Law after law school, so this job has taught me a lot about the procedural and substantive work that goes into it. It also made me feel confident about my chosen field of law. 

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned at this job?

This job has given me valuable experience in relationship building with clients and opposing counsels. These positive relationships allow me to be of better service to the clients. 

Do you plan to continue working at this job into the next school year?

Yes, I am happy to have been offered an extended position into the next school year. 

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