NCLA Internship Spotlight

Gelane Diamond

Summer Law Clerk

Law School: George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School

Expected Graduation: 2021

Hometown: Corona, California

Campus Activities: Federalist Society, Administrative Law Clinic

Hobbies: Reading, cooking, traveling

What were your duties as an NCLA intern?

One of my responsibilities is to assist the attorneys with research on current cases. Additionally, I look into different areas of administrative law for potential cases that NCLA could pursue.

What did you most enjoy about your internship?

There are two things I enjoy the most. My favorite projects are the ones that are more open ended and involve researching an area of administrative law that NCLA can possibly pursue for future cases. I like this type of project because I learn about a new topic in administrative law and it allows me to think creatively about potential avenues for litigation. The other thing I enjoy are lunch discussions with the litigators and, sometimes, current and retired judges. Through the discussions I have learned a lot from the experience and wisdom of the litigators and judges.

What interesting thing(s) did you learn about Administrative Law?

How the various deference doctrines interact and relate to one another. Agencies have all the deference doctrines in their arsenal and are able to use them at their disposal in litigation. Now when I read cases, it is interesting to see how the agency can pick and choose different deference doctrines at their pleasure to win their case.

How might you use what you’ve learned later in your professional career?

Because I am interested in practicing administrative law, I think this summer at NCLA has been a great experience to introduce me to the various administrative law issues affecting the American people. NCLA has also taught me how a public interest firm operates and finds clients to litigate on behalf of Americans’ rights and liberties. I think this knowledge of the issues and how to work in a public interest firm is great preparation for practicing administrative law in the future.

Any advice for other students who want to intern at NCLA in the future?

Read the various deference doctrines and understand how they relate to one another.