Life as a law clerk at Erickson Sederstrom varies greatly from day to day. From dense contractual conflicts to arcane procedural problems, the assignments I have been given challenge my legal abilities and communication skills.
By mid-morning on Monday, the clerks finish projects from the previous week or are given new projects to delve into. As the week progresses, attorneys will ask us to join them at hearings, site visits, or client consultations. Often, these activities lead to additional projects for us to work on. These are the most gratifying tasks to complete. Being able to meet clients and apply legal theory to real cases is one of the best parts of joining the Erickson Sederstrom team.
I learned early this summer the firm encourages an open-door policy. Associate and partner attorneys alike invite clerks to ask questions to tackle legal issues that will make a difference in our client’s cases. In addition, Erickson Sederstrom is not afraid to give difficult, nuanced questions to its clerks.
For example, within the first two weeks, I was asked to research claims we might have against a bank for withholding client funds. These claims changed depending on the jurisdiction we could sue in. I was asked to analyze the law in federal and state courts to determine which jurisdiction we would have the best chance to succeed in. The attorneys had me present my findings and discuss the pros and cons of filing suit in a particular jurisdiction. Clerks at Erickson Sederstrom are not just research assistants but rather strategists the attorneys rely on for an advantage in litigation.
In addition, clerks are encouraged to discuss our legal interests with the attorneys. In turn, we receive projects in those areas of interest. For example, as someone interested in complex commercial litigation, I have been working with an attorney for over a month on a case concerning contracts, property, business associations, commercial law, trusts and estates, and civil procedure. Being able to continually work on a single case throughout discovery and summary judgment has taught me the pace of litigation and expanded my understanding of these subject areas while helping our client win.
Through this experience in commercial litigation, I have been given the opportunity to draft and participate in several aspects of the pre-trial process. Along with memoranda, I have already drafted a motion and brief for summary judgment, objections to the opposing party’s expert witnesses, deposition reports, a brief in resistance to the opposing party’s motion for summary judgment, and a mediation statement.
I was also invited to mediation where I was encouraged by our partner attorney to present arguments to the mediator on topics I have researched. Not only am I producing documents the firm will use and rely on, but our partner attorney let me argue on behalf of our client. This
experience, without a doubt, helped me grow as a prospective commercial litigator. As a former athlete, being able to compete in that mediation was one of the most rewarding experiences I have been given this summer.
The attorneys expect a lot out of the clerks and we welcome that challenge. The attorneys provide us feedback on documents and trial strategies. We are never left in the dark wondering what we could have done better. In a competitive field like law, this feedback is what will help the next generation of attorneys at Erickson Sederstrom continue to provide top-notch legal services to our clients.
Erickson Sederstrom also cares greatly about their community. Within the first month, twice we assisted at the local foodbank to give back to our community. This fun teambuilding activity was a unique opportunity to get away from the office, work with each other on different projects, and help a greater cause.
Clerks are also encouraged to join the attorneys at networking events and firm outings. The firm holds annual outings and activities for the College World Series, Masters Golf Tournament, and holidays throughout the summer. Erickson Sederstrom cares far more than just the work we complete at the firm. The attorneys and legal staff at Erickson Sederstrom are a family and the clerks are invited to join that family.
A week in the life at Erickson Sederstrom varies greatly. That is one of the many reasons why this summer has been so exciting. Whether it is preparing drafts of documents, meeting clients, or throwing darts at a company outing, the summer clerkship at Erickson Sederstrom has been a first-class experience.