Danielle Throneberry

Texas Fourth Court of Appeals – Virtual

How did you get your job?

I applied to my job through CORE – the Office of Career Strategy’s job bank – early on in the Spring semester of my 1L year. I was selected as a candidate to interview, and then I was later selected for the position.

What was the most surprising thing you learned at your job?

The most surprising thing that I learned at my job is that appellate courts are exposed to such a diverse array of cases – both civil and criminal – that span all areas of law. You really get exposure to so many different realms, which makes the job very interesting and never boring! You are always learning something new, and the law is constantly evolving!

What did you like most about your job?

I really enjoyed learning about so many different areas of the law to prepare myself to research and then eventually work on drafting opinions. I would spend time reading the record in cases, but I would also spend significant time researching particular issues to familiarize myself with the specific facts, applicable law, and opinions in other similar cases (if any exist!). The hands-on experience was incredible, and it was amazing to see the reality of the 1L brief and moot court experience come to life!

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

This experience has helped refine my research and writing skills so that I can continue to be successful throughout law school and beyond. Further, I think that all law students should have a foundational understanding of the appellate process because of the likelihood of encountering an appeal or possibly having to file one in future practice.

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

The most valuable thing I learned at this job is two-fold. First, the practical knowledge regarding the appellate process, research, and writing will stick with me as I continue my legal career. Next, and perhaps most importantly, is that your best effort is good enough. Nobody has all the answers, but as long as you try your best and do a thorough job, the work product will be successful. Also, there is nothing that can’t be fixed – and working collaboratively really contributes to success.

How did your job change in a virtual workplace? How did you interact with your co-workers?

My job responsibilities did not change in a virtual workplace. The only difference is that I was not in the office every day. I interacted with my coworkers via Zoom and phone calls. We connected often to discuss cases, applicable laws, and each step of the research and writing process. We also grabbed lunch a few times. It was a really successful internship!