Penn State Law's Emilee Kula and Daijah Blackburn represented their school at the 23rd Annual Judicial Clerkship Program held during the American Bar Association midyear meeting in New Orleans on Feb. 2-4. The program connects law students with judges and law clerks, allowing them to examine legal issues, research, prepare briefs, and defend their work to judges and fellow participants.
Kula and Blackburn had the opportunity to meet with Judge Toni Clarke, a Penn State alumna and former athlete on the Lady Lions basketball team. Judge Clarke provided advice and encouragement for the students to apply for clerkships. They both had the chance to sit in on an oral argument at the Louisiana Court of Appeals and attend an awards ceremony for federal judges at the Eastern District of Louisiana Courthouse.
Kula and Blackburn were selected to represent Penn State Law based on their statement about their passion for diversity, their interest in clerking, and how they would represent the school. Blackburn also discussed how the lack of diversity affects the American judiciary.
Kula and Blackburn spoke highly of their experience, stating that they learned the power of fellowship within the Penn State student and alums networks and the importance of diversity within the legal profession. Kula noted that the program reminded her there isn't a perfect legal career path and encouraged her to consider clerking in the future. Blackburn discussed how following her way, strengths, and convictions will always lead her to where she belongs and how she left the program encouraged and enlightened.
Penn State Law's Assistant Dean for Student Services, Wende Ferguson, expressed pride in the students and how their legal education at Penn State Law has prepared them to participate and learn as much as they could in the program.
