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Ever since I started law school, my friends have jokingly called me “Legally Brunette.” It began as a fun little insider nickname, but this summer it truly felt like I leaned into my Legally Brunette Era. And honestly? Every law student has those moments where you feel a little like Elle Woods: overwhelmed, determined, and somehow still optimistic.
As an evening student, our first summer is not traditionally reserved for the typical clerkship or internship route; we save that for the next two summers. Instead, we take Constitutional Law.
Because I was already working as a law clerk, my summer was a double-feature: forty hours at the firm plus Constitutional Law at night. My entire summer was wrapped in legal doctrine. But, there is truly something magical about summer evening classes: the sunset on the drive over, the night breeze, and the quiet campus. And taking just one class really allows you to immerse yourself in the material and master it.
And when I say you do not realize how interesting Constitutional Law is, especially in the summer, I mean it. There is something about learning foundational doctrine while the Supreme Court term is wrapping up in late June that makes everything feel incredibly current and alive.
Work was its own adventure. I helped prepare for my first trial at the firm, which meant collaborating with the attorney and client, drafting trial documents, organizing evidence, and assisting with all the pre-trial prep that keeps cases moving behind the scenes. I even got to go to court for the Final Status Conference. Walking into the courtroom for the first time was intimidating, but I realized quickly that it is not nearly as dramatic or terrifying as television makes it out to be. (Yes, including Legally Blonde).
And because no summer is complete without a little joy, I squeezed in a trip to Chicago. It was the perfect reset before the fall semester.
Looking back, this summer reminded me why I chose this path. I studied, I worked, I learned, and I grew. A true Legally Brunette Summer.