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This summer, I had the privilege of interning in the chambers of the Honorable Julio M. Fuentes, Senior Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. In the first week of my internship, I received materials for cases that were going to be heard in oral argument in Philadelphia. As part of my first experience in the position, I had the opportunity to help prepare questions for the bench memo that one of the Judge’s law clerks prepared. Then, I was able to travel to Philadelphia to watch oral arguments on the case that I helped prepare for. At the arguments, I witnessed seasoned lawyers, as well as law students working for their school’s clinic argue before the panel. The experience was invaluable, and I was able to see how attorneys put different techniques and strategies into their arguments.
The Judge and the clerks brought me and my fellow interns into chambers following arguments to discuss the cases and the way that Judges make decisions. The Judge told us how the cases would be decided after meeting with the rest of the panel, and he explained how the panel divided the task of writing opinions. He asked our opinions about the cases, the arguments presented by all the parties, and about the internship. We had the opportunity to speak with him about his career and ask him questions about being a Judge.
For the rest of the summer, I conducted legal research, wrote response memoranda to the Judge, and even wrote a nonprecedential opinion on a pending civil case. Nonprecedential opinions are binding on the parties only, while precedential opinions become binding law for the whole Circuit. I was able to take the skills I had learned in my Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research (LAWR) courses and apply it to the writing I was doing for the Court. The mentors I had in this internship provided consistent feedback, were always available for meetings to discuss my questions, and helped improve my writing through various different assignments. With the help of the law clerks, I was able to understand how decisions are made and opinions are written at the appellate level. Something I came to appreciate was the careful preparation done by the parties as part of the appellate process. Spending my summer working at the Third Circuit was an incredible experience because I was able to work on many types of cases, learn about the appellate process, and improve my legal writing skills.
I am so grateful for the support by the Douglas W. & Grace D. Dimitroff Summer Fellowship which helped me learn and grow as a law student. This internship was one of the most incredible opportunities I have ever been afforded. I would also like to thank the University at Buffalo School of Law Summer Public Interest Funding & Fellowship Program and the UB School of Law Career Services Office. Finally, thank you to Judge Julio M. Fuentes and his law clerks Andrew, Megan, and Emily for their kindness, and mentorship.
Name: Katherine Kio ‘25
Fellowship: Douglas W. & Grace D. Dimitroff Summer Fellowship
Placement: Hon. Julio M. Fuentes, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Location: Virtual (Based in Newark, NJ)
One important lesson I have learned from this fellowship: “Preparation can make all the difference. Taking the extra time to research well, write a persuasive brief, and organize your thoughts can win your case. ”
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