NCLA Internship Spotlight

Emily Johnson

Summer Clerk

Law School: The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law

Expected Graduation: 2024

Hometown: Medford, Oregon

Campus Activities: Federalist Society, Saint John Paul II Guild of Catholic Lawyers (President, ’22-23)

Hobbies: Horseback riding, dog training, handgun shooting

What were your duties as an NCLA intern? Identifying NCLA litigation opportunities, providing substantive research memoranda, providing legal revisions and drafts.

What did you most enjoy about your internship? The office environment, especially the dedication to the mission and the ability to jump in on substantive projects from day one.

What interesting thing(s) did you learn about Administrative Law? Administrative law affects every aspect of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, from non-delegation in Article I, to judicial deference in Article III, and administrative searches affecting the 4th Amendment; it’s where key Constitutional legal questions are being litigated in the modern age.

How might you use what you’ve learned later in your professional career? I’ll utilize the practical skills like prioritizing projects, research, and legal writing, no matter what position I take in the future. Further, I’ll carry with me the understanding that it’s important in a Constitutional Republic to remember, especially as lawyers, that how we get the work done matters.

Any advice for other students who want to intern at NCLA in the future? Be flexible and ready to jump in on any type of project on any type of legal issue! And take the opportunity to explore DC—NCLA’s office is in an awesome downtown location close to tons of restaurants and things to do.

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