NCLA Internship Spotlight

Leah Roddenberry

2023 Clerk

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

Hometown: Bradenton, FL

Campus Activities: Moot Court: Competing Member; SBA: 2L Senator, Federalist Society: Community Service Chair; The Catholic Guild of Lawyers

Hobbies: Baking, Golfing, Dancing, thrifting, and cheering on the Florida Gators

What were your duties as an NCLA intern? Research and draft legal documents, such as memoranda and motions for the litigators.

What did you most enjoy about your internship? I enjoyed the collaborative culture at NCLA and the manner in which the clerks worked directly from the litigators. It was a privilege to sit in the litigation meetings and learn from the attorneys on how to best serve the clients.

What interesting thing(s) did you learn about administrative law? I learned that the government widely abuses its discretion by divesting power in numerous agencies without guidance. Further, the government tends to attack small businesses when attempting to enforce unconstitutional regulations.

How might you use what you’ve learned later in your professional career? I gained both professional and personal skills that I will take into the rest of my law school journey and beyond as I begin my career. I learned how to effectively collaborate with other clerks, manage multiple assignments at a time, and bring a positive and professional attitude into the office every day. Beyond that, I gained a lot of tips and strategies when it comes to litigation, and I observed the attorneys to learn best practices in the legal field.

Any advice for other students who want to intern at NCLA in the future? Fine tune your legal research and writing skills, learn how to manage your time efficiently in law school, and be ready for a summer full of learning and professional opportunities!