Caitlin Sullivan

United States District Court for the Western District of Texas

On CORE. I saw the job posting, applied and was invited to interview all within the same week. 

What do/did you like most about your job?

I enjoy how challenging it is. Because I work for the court, I am obligated to consider the parties’ arguments from an objective perspective and determine an outcome based solely on applicable legal standards. This requires extensive legal research — often beyond the law that the parties cited themselves. 

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

As a judicial intern, I refined my legal research skills and greatly improved my legal writing skills. I also regularly attended criminal and civil proceedings, including evidentiary hearings, sentencings, and trials. This real-life exposure to the courtroom solidified my aspiration to litigate. 

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

Before taking this position, I operated under the incorrect assumption that law school graduates could either become litigators or transactional attorneys. Working as a judicial intern exposed me to an entirely different opportunity within the legal field. Judicial law clerks get the best of both worlds. They are immersed in litigation processes and get to conduct substantial legal research; but instead of arguing in court, judicial law clerks thoroughly examine the law, discuss their findings with the judge, and then draft documents consistent with applicable legal standards.