Summer Intern Spotlight Series

“For me, there is no substitution to the real thing. It’s the same thing in sports: you can practice as much as you want, but there’s no experience like being in a game.”

On his experience practicing law with his limited law license

A rising 3L at Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law, Andy has received invaluable “reps” in the courtroom through his limited law license, which allows him to practice law under direct supervision from the district attorney’s office. A former collegiate golfer for Maryville College, he continues to enjoy his time out on the green outside of the internship and law school. Andy aims to use his JD to help underserved communities in need of legal assistance.

“It’s really rounded out everything that I’ve learned both in classes and in my summer associate experiences. So I’ve really loved it.”

On her experience within the DA’s office

A rising 3L at Belmont University Law School, Anna Kate has enjoyed her time in the 16^th Judicial District. A member of the Executive Leadership Team on Belmont Law Review, she has honed her research skills even more during her time in Murfreesboro by assisting in preparations for trials. Outside of law school, she loves to read, travel, hang out with friends, and try new restaurants.

A rising 2L at the University of Tennessee College of Law, Bri has enjoyed experiencing the fast-paced environment within the criminal justice system, particularly within the juvenile court system. She enjoys reading a wide range of books as well as running when not tending to the rigors of law school. Once she obtains her JD, Bri is interested in going into general practice and helping her surrounding community.

“I’m getting a lot of practice with the actual boots-on-the-ground work that they do day to day. So it’s been really invaluable.”

On her experience while in the DA’s office

A rising 2L at the University of Alabama School of Law, Briana brings a bevy of experience from multiple fields, including a storied music career. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Wellesley College and her Master’s in Classical Violin Performance from Belmont University. Additionally, she traveled the country performing music for many years before taking her talents to law school. Briana will utilize her JD to serve communities through either the criminal justice system or with a rural legal aid organization.

“I definitely would recommend it to anybody just based on the exposure you get even as a rising 2L.”

On the value of the experiences during the internship

A rising 2L at Belmont University College of Law, Bryce moved across the country to attend law school. While in Murfreesboro, he has gotten the opportunity to hone his research skills by both rifling through evidence and writing motions. While he is still exploring different avenues that a JD opens, a career in prosecution could be in those future plans.

“I’ve been able to learn from the people, not just the ADAs or the public defenders, but I’ve also been able to learn from people in the community.”

On his favorite part of the internship

A rising senior at Cumberland Gap High School, Bryson has interned with the 8^th Judicial District Attorney’s office for over a year, which has given him valuable legal experience before college and law school. Outside of the internship and school, he stays busy with football, soccer, weightlifting, and guitar lessons with his grandfather. Bryson aims to earn his JD once he graduates both high school and college.

“It’s a very rewarding experience. You’re going to learn a lot — it’s fast-paced. You’re going to have to ask a lot of questions, but everyone is so excited to help us. You can tell it’s a great community where they want to help you learn and grow to become an attorney.”

On the sense of community in the DAs office

A rising 2L, Carolina Hughes’ interest in prosecution has only grown since starting her internship at the 6^th Judicial District. Outside of law school, Carolina coaches cheerleading at Maryville High School, where she draws from her years of experience as a cheerleader to hone the talents of others. She plans to use her J.D. to advocate for those in need in the justice system.

“All the attorneys here are excellent, and it’s amazing to see how they work and how they speak to judges, victims, and defendants. It’s great to see firsthand what they’re doing.”

On one of her favorite parts of the internship

A rising 3L, Ciara has accumulated a broad range of legal experience: from the public defender’s office in California; a legal tax clinic and child advocacy center in Mississippi; to a personal injury firm and finally the 19^th Judicial District Attorney’s office in Tennessee, Ciara has moved towards her interest in prosecution. She enjoys pickleball, reading, and Ole Miss sports when she is on campus. Ciara intends to pursue a career as a prosecutor and advocate for child victims.

“It’s definitely been a rewarding experience where I have learned a lot and has confirmed a career path for me.”

On the environment within the DA’s office

A rising 2L at the University of Tennessee School of Law, Conner has enjoyed experiencing the “switches and levers” of the criminal justice system during his summer with the 20^th Judicial District. As a native of Franklin, he wanted to give back to the area in which he grew up in. Outside of law school he enjoys playing soccer, both in rec league and on FIFA, as well as reading and hanging with his friend. He is interested in using a law degree to advance the public interest and give back to his community.

“If you are self disciplined and self motivated, you can get a lot out of the internship because the sky is the limit for what you can do.”

On the variety of potential experiences to be gained during the internship

A rising 2L at Georgetown University Law Center, Dexter has enjoyed applying legal concepts during his time in the 16^th Judicial District. Dexter has accrued a wide variety of experience thus far: he graduated from Lipscomb University with a double major in piano performance and political science and taught English in China. Outside of law school, Dexter enjoys finding balance – playing piano, cooking, running, and spending time with friends and family. Once he obtains his JD, Dexter intends to pursue a legal career in international mediation or arbitration.

A rising 2L at the University of Tennessee College of Law, Ivie gained confidence during his time in the 16^th Judicial District Attorney’s office. He has been exposed to various aspects of the criminal justice system and has honed his research skills after spending time looking up cases and statutes. Outside of law school, Ivie enjoys watching Vols athletics and staying active with his friends by either playing golf, basketball, or running. While he is exploring what he wants to do with his legal degree, Ivie has been encouraged by the hard work of the staff in ensuring that the surrounding community and its people are safe.

“I definitely feel like working here has driven me further. I feel like when I go back to law school and having real hands-on experience and knowing what it means to be an attorney is going to help drive me further.”

On the sense of purpose within the DA’s office

A rising 2L at Cornell Law School, Jesse wanted to return home for this summer’s internship. On top of shadowing the prosecutors when in the courtroom, he has enjoyed the field trips to the crime lab and the behavioral care center. He enjoys playing squash in between studying at the Cornell Law Library and as well as tennis. Jesse looks forward to next summer, where he wants to practice law using a limited law license.

“The people are great; they have been a positive influence on me. These are some of the best experiences and opportunities I have ever had.”

On one of her favorite parts of the internship

A rising junior at Oneida High School, Lydia’s experience in the 8^th Judicial District Attorney’s office has motivated her to pursue a career in prosecution. She has gained practical experience in many aspects in the office: including sitting in on preliminary hearings and jury selections. Once she obtains her JD, Lydia wants to use her passion for prosecution to help child victims in the justice system.

“You’re not only going to be meeting people at the DA’s office, but you’re going to be meeting judges, court officers, defense counsel, paralegals, VWCs, so many people in different roles.”

On the opportunity to learn from the staff in the DA’s office

A rising 2L at the University of Memphis Cecil Murphy School of Law, Reagan returned to her hometown to pursue her law degree. She balances her time in law school by staying as active as possible: she waits tables and likes to hit the gym or the trails. Reagan aims to foster improvement in her community once she obtains her JD.

“The practice permit is great. It gives you the ability to get that courtroom experience and be in front of a judge making arguments. It’s exactly what I would have hoped for.”

On the value of the limited law license

A 3L at the University of Kansas School of Law, Tyler brings military experience and a desire to become a trial attorney to the 20^th district. Being in the courtroom five days a week, Tyler has honed his craft in the courtroom while receiving guidance from his supervising assistant district attorneys. Outside of law school, he enjoys working out, cooking, and attending various University of Kansas athletic events. Once he graduates law school, Tyler plans on pursuing his goal of becoming a prosecutor.

“They’re very supportive and whenever I would have a question, I would never be scared to ask.”

On the atmosphere in the District Attorney’s Office

A rising senior at Bethel University, Victoria is interested in exploring the investigative process in the criminal justice system. This was an element of her internship she greatly enjoyed during her time in the 24^th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and something she hopes to expand upon by pursuing both law school and a master’s degree in forensics. Outside of school, she competes as a “Shooting Cat” on her school’s varsity shooting team. 

“Working with the ADAs, my direct supervisor Gen. Dale Evans, Gen. Cooper Byers, and Gen. Mason and hearing their stories about how they’ve helped people – truly, it’s been something remarkable.”

On his experience at the DAs Office

A rising 3L, Zach’s aspirations to attend law school began in high school, and he has vigorously pursued that intention since. Although law school has “killed” most of his hobbies, he enjoys working out at the gym in his free time. He prefers to get to know someone over lunch — though beware if he starts talking about Machiavelli. Once he has obtained his J.D., Zach plans on pursuing his goal of becoming a prosecutor.