The Dallas Bar Foundation (DBF) Collins Clerkship, Justice James A. Baker Clerkship, Bob Mow Judicial Internship Luncheon on Aug. 16 honored selected law students, including five from Texas A&M University School of Law, for their commitment and success in internships and clerkships offered by the DBF.
The following Texas A&M law students were recognized:
- Gregory Franklin, 3L, completed his second summer as a William E. Collins Clerk with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
- Jessica Lesnau, 3L, served as a Justice James A. Baker Clerk with the Supreme Court of Texas.
- Jillian Loh, 3L, served as an intern for the 14th Judicial District Court Judge Eric Moyé.
- Macy Jones-Smith, 3L, served as an intern for the City of Irving's Attorney’s Office.
- Miriam Garza, 3L, served as a William E. Collins Clerk intern for Chief Justice Wright in the Texas 5th Court of Appeals.
All of these placements are very competitive to obtain. According to Franklin, the DBF selects only eight students every summer for the Collins Clerkship program. The students are then placed in an area of public interest law such as the district attorney’s office, public defender's office, interning for district court judges, the Texas Supreme Court and more.
“Selection is based on an application process and personal interviews,” said Franklin. “The goal is to help develop great attorneys in the Dallas area.”
Garza said it’s very important to have strong writing samples in the interview process because the internships require intensive legal research and writing. She recommends taking advantage of services here at the law school to prepare you.
“I asked the Office of Career Services (OCS) for feedback on my application, and they gave me very valuable information,” she said.
During their respective internships and clerkships, the students observed the process of analyzing legal issues, gained insight of civil appellate practice in Texas, and helped put together cases against alleged criminals.
They also enjoyed fun and memorable moments.
“When I was a Collins Clerk in 2015, President George W. Bush was a juror in our Court,” Franklin said. “I had a chance to meet with him before jury selection, and I took a picture with him.”
Professor Neal Newman, who attended the event to represent the school and support the students, said he is proud of the positive impact these students have already made in the community.
“It’s great to see our students out there doing positive things in the community,” he said.
Arturo Errisuriz, Assistant Dean for Career Services, concurred and said he is also appreciative of the DBF making these opportunities available to students.
“These clerkships are a wonderful example of the bar, the bench and the legal academy working together for the professional development of our law students,” he said.
Franklin, Lesnau and Garza agree that being selected and recognized by the DBF is a big honor.
“The DBF truly strives to support us throughout our careers,” Garza said. “I cannot wait to have the opportunity to provide the same level of support to future law students.”
Lesnau said she highly encourages students to apply for such opportunities.
“Worst case scenario, you don’t get an offer, which leaves you no worse off than when you started – it never hurts to apply!” she said.
- Article by Jennifer Nassar, Communications Specialist, Texas A&M University School of Law