During January Term (J-term), Edward Saunders III ’19 (engineering physics and political science major) and Mary Brett Campbell ’18 (business and political science major; economics minor) interned at Hanover County Circuit Court in Hanover, Virginia. Interning under the guidance of the Hon. J. Overton Harris, Chief Judge, and Law Clerks Kate Kulbok and Eduardo Lopez, Saunders and Campbell saw firsthand the many parts that work together to make a circuit court run smoothly.

Saunders and Campbell observed civil hearings, motions, and trials in areas such as family law, contract disputes and even a legal malpractice jury trial.

RMC Political Science Professor Richard Meagher worked with staff from The Edge, the college’s four-year career program, to secure the internships.

“Our Bassett Internship program enables students to try out different career paths before they graduate,” says Meagher. “Thanks to the generosity of Judge Harris and his staff, Eddie and Mary Brett were able to observe lawyers in action and evaluate whether or not a legal career is right for them.”

Rare Opportunities
Kulbok says a judicial internship allows students to see the real-life practice of law and to observe a variety of litigation.

“Edward and Mary Brett got to observe court proceedings and had the rare opportunity to see what happens inside the judges’ chambers,” she says. “They got to converse with circuit court judges about the practice of law and the judges’ own professional experiences. This is an opportunity that few people, including practicing attorneys, are ever given.”

From Court Cases to Networking
During their internships, Saunders and Campbell worked on docket briefs, sat in on court cases, and wrote summaries to keep the judge apprised of upcoming cases. By using a special checklist, they made sure that key paperwork was properly filled out and filed.

“The docket brief contains a summary of each case to let the judge know what is going on,” explains Saunders. “My internship helped me understand courtroom procedures, while at the same time I networked with local judges, attorneys, and law enforcement.”

On campus, Saunders serves as the Student Government Association vice president of Student Affairs; the women’s volleyball manager; and the manager of the men’s volleyball program. He is also a member of and mentor in the Leadership Fellows program, which facilitates leadership development by blending theory with practical experiences. Saunders’ post-RMC plans include law school.

“I am thinking University of Richmond or William & Mary, and I plan to study patent law,” he says.  “I’d like to practice up north or in Washington, D.C. The best part of being a student at Randolph-Macon is having the opportunity to utilize opportunities like my internship that will have a direct impact on my future goals.”

Fast-Paced Days
“I learned so much about the law during my internship,” says Campbell. “It was amazing experience.” Assisting the law clerks meant that Campbell’s days were busy and fast-paced.
“I checked divorce motions and default judgement motions to make sure they had all necessary elements,” she says, “and did research for the law clerks, including summarizing previous cases that were like the ones before the court. I also helped update the model jury instructions.”

Campbell, a member of Alpha Phi Omega, serves as the programming chair for RMC’s Habitat for Humanity chapter and plays trumpet in the Pep Band. The best part of being a Yellow Jacket?

“It’s the professors—they truly care about their students.”

January Term at RMC
RMC’s January Term (J-term) gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture, embark on an internship, conduct research or explore other areas of study on campus. RMC’s Edge Career Center and dedicated faculty assist students in finding the perfect internship opportunity.

The Edge, a four-year career program, gives students a competitive advantage in the job market or graduate-school admissions process. Workshops, internships, one-on one advising, a career and networking Boot Camp, and other resources ensure that students who graduate from RMC are lifelong learners who can think critically and adapt to new situations.

RMC’s Bassett Internship program offers academic credit and connects students with tailor-made internships to explore a wide range of career fields in various locations. Students can also choose from a variety of paid or volunteer internship opportunities.