NCLA Internship Spotlight

Joseph Partain

2023 Clerk

Law School: University of Chicago Law School

Hometown: Iuka, Illinois

Campus Activities: Federalist Society, The Edmund Burke Society, Christian Legal Society
Hobbies:  I’m a long-time folk and country guitarist.  When I can find the time, I also love to tour art museums and to hike!

What were your duties as an NCLA intern? My primary assignments were to perform background research on takings and First Amendment issues, as well as working on an amicus brief with one of the staff attorneys.

What did you most enjoy about your internship? Working with my attorney-mentor!  I was given some great opportunities to experiment and improve on my legal writing, and I’ve also made great connections to help kickstart my legal career.

What interesting thing(s) did you learn about administrative law? “Hell hath no fury like a bureaucrat with an ounce of power.” Persistency is key when the opposing party has the power to make their own law to validate each and every decision they make.

How might you use what you’ve learned later in your professional career? My career goal is to end up in appellate litigation.  The experience I’ve had preparing an amicus curiae—knowing what makes a useful versus unhelpful amicus especially—will be critical to helping my clients when related cases go on appeal.