Sunderland Shands: Law Clerk Intern with Minnesota First Judicial District
This summer, Sunderland Shands was the law clerk intern at the Minnesota First Judicial District, chambered in Hastings, Minnesota.
How did you find this internship?
I found my internship through familial connections. My father is a defense attorney, so he would frequently take me to work with him when I was a child. I got to know his colleagues very well. I then reached out to one of his old colleagues who is now a judge.
What were your primary responsibilities?
My primary responsibilities were taking notes on cases, researching legal codes, and other administrative tasks.
What have you learned from this internship?
I have learned so much! Like I stated before, my father is an attorney, so I always believed that I had a firm grasp on what the court system was like. Of course, I would be sitting in the spectator section reading books while court was in session, so I was not paying that much attention to what was happening. During my internship, I had to focus on the courts, research the cases, and read notes, so I really developed a clear understanding of what really happens; especially behind the scenes.
How has this internship prepared you for your future career?
I hope to be an attorney within the next five years, so it was lovely being in a space that will soon be my second home. Although I was working directly under the judge and other law clerks, I frequently spoke with attorneys and student attorneys to gain more insight on the profession. It was nice to talk to other people about what got them there and to receive advice on how to make sure I am taking the necessary steps to obtain the best schooling and habits.
What have been your favorite parts of this internship?
My favorite part of my internship was when people got their lives back on track. For so many people, they resorted to violence not because they are a violent person, but because of their upbringing. Poverty, crime, and trauma will do a lot to a person. Rather than sentencing the individual to life in prison, many were given the opportunity to spend minimum time in jail, and the rest on parole or even spend time on probation. It was rewarding to hear that some individuals were taking their court-ordered rehab seriously. They were getting respectable jobs, reconnecting with their families, and just overall getting the help that they need. It is nice to know that the past can just sometimes be the past. There is always room for a better tomorrow.
How has POL 3080 Internship in Politics or Government enhanced your internship experience?
Professor Paul Soper was a fantastic professor. I loved how the class was asynchronous, so I was able to work full time at the courthouse without having to risk missing class time. For the weekly assignments I would submit, I would always ponder philosophical questions about my job, and Professor Soper would always return great insight. Throughout my time in the University of Minnesota, I have always felt like my professors love their jobs and wanted to promote our growth as students, but I truly believe that Professor Soper wanted us to think deeply and abstractly about the subjects we were studying in order to gain the most out of this experience.
What advice would you give to other students interested in this type of internship?
I would tell the other students to go out of their comfort zone! I could have easily worked for a congressional office, as I already have in the past, but I wanted to try something new. In the future maybe I will be a judge one day, most likely not, but now I have a firm understanding of what the profession is like. I am definitely now considering the profession more and more after my internship.
