The University of St. Thomas
Perspectives from Law Admissions and Current Students, Alumni, Faculty and Staff

UST Law Summer

Integrating faith and vocation: Blackstone Legal Fellowship

By: Life at UST Law

Published on: Monday, September 10th, 2012

Submitted by Rachana C., 2L Guest Blogger

This past summer I participated in the Blackstone Legal Fellowship with Alliance Defending Freedom (“ADF”). ADF, formerly known as Alliance Defend Fund, was founded in 1994. They are a Christian legal ministry that is dedicated to “transforming the legal system” and advocating for “religious liberty, the sanctity of life, and marriage and family.”

The Blackstone Legal Fellowship (www.blackstonelegalfellowship.org) is a rigorous nine-week internship program that brings together law students from all around the country and world, grounds them in natural law principles, introduces them to foundation and sources of our laws, and places fellows with internships in various public-policy and legal organizations domestically and abroad. All our transportation costs and most meals were paid for, we received a handsome stipend, and gained legal experience in practice areas in which we were interested. (more…)

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Native American Law Student Opportunity: Udall Fellow

By: Life at UST Law

Published on: Thursday, August 30th, 2012

Travis C., Guest Blogger, 2L UST Law student

Travis standing outside of the Supreme Courthouse before the AHA ruling. He was able to go inside and watch the Justices deliver the opinion.

This past summer I was a Udall Fellow in Washington D.C.  The Udall Foundation was created in honor of Congressman Morris K. Udall and his brother, Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall.  Every year the Foundation selects 11 Native American students from around the country to participate in a summer long paid internship working in Washington D.C.  In addition, the Foundation also pays for all airfare to and from D.C., housing costs, as well as food and incidental costs.

Once I arrived in D.C., I was assigned to the Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, which is the legal counsel for the Secretary of the Interior.  Specifically, I worked in the Solicitor’s Division of Indian Affairs.  Essentially, we were the division which dealt with any and all Indian law related issues.  (more…)

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Opportunities outside the Twin Cities

By: Life at UST Law

Published on: Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

Holli M., Guest Blogger,  2L UST Law Student

This summer I had the opportunity to work with a great group of people at the Mower County Attorney’s Office in Austin, Minnesota.  To be honest, I did not consider a future in criminal law until this exposure.  But it has shown me an entirely different career option that is highly rewarding and very interesting!  Not only have I gained valuable experience, but I have also used my legal research and writing education from the 1L Lawyering Skills classes at UST School of Law.  It is true that law school teaches you to think like a lawyer, and I put that education to good use this summer.  I have used other important skills and admirable attributes of UST as well, including professionalism and service.  My summer internship at the Mower County Attorney’s Office was a volunteer position, but it was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had.  It is encouraging to know that my legal education at UST School of Law is, and will continue to be, put to good use!

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Pre-Orientation Public Service Days with the Class of 2015

By: Kate Snowdon, Assistant Director of Admissions for Recruitment

Published on: Wednesday, August 29th, 2012

Felix and Courtney and their cleaning supplies.

The week before orientation the Admissions office took a group of incoming students to the Ronald McDonald house to volunteer. One of our 2L students, Max, who is on the Public Service Board set up the events for us.  After touring the facilities we helped deep clean kitchens for the 48 families that are staying there while their children are in treatment. We also helped disinfect the castle in the children’s play room.  (more…)

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L’inizio

By: Life at UST Law

Published on: Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

La Vita Romana

La Vita Romana

Adrienne G., (2L), Guest Blogger

Every good law student knows that context is vital.  Before I embark on wild descriptions of trips, revelations, revels, historical sites and cultural experiences, I feel the need to frame them with a picture of our daily lives as we’ve settled into a routine over the course of the first week.  The basics: where we live, what we eat, and what we see every day. 

For this reason, I’ve dubbed this one “L’inizio,” The Beginning.  That is to say, it should have been my first Roma post, to start everything off in the proper atmosphere.  But it wasn’t, so we’re a little sideways.  As that seems to be the Roman way anyway, I don’t really mind.

(more…)

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The Long Story Short: Rome will swallow you whole.

By: Life at UST Law

Published on: Thursday, June 30th, 2011

Ristorante d'Otello in Trastevere

Ristorante d'Otello in Trastevere

Adrienne G., (2L), Guest Blogger

This is not necessarily a bad thing.  The whole city is a living creature that pulses with life, food, and honking SmartCars.  It shoves you on the bus, hustles you down the cobble-stoned street, hands you a gelato and a forkful of traditional carbonara then stops you in your tracks to stand gaping and grabbing for your camera in front of some stunning piece of ancient architecture or Renaissance masterpiece.  It takes your hand and threads you down back alleys and breathes the scent of fresh ingredients and the slight tang of B.O. in your face.  When it’s done it leaves you by yourself at a small outdoor table softly lit by Christmas lights strung through the ivy above you, empty espresso cup in your hand, wondering why your feet hurt (it’s only been a day!) and wanting more.

Basilica S. Pietro

Basilica S. Pietro

(more…)

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Much Needed Study Breaks Before Summer Finals

By: Andrew (2L)

Published on: Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

This summer I decided to take the plunge into two summer classes along with around sixty of my classmates. The two classes are Criminal Procedure with Professor Scott Swanson and Wills, Trusts, and Estates with Matthew Shea and Marya Robben. Both of the classes are incredible; the three hour lectures actually seem to go much faster than some of my first semester classes! While summer class does bring with it a much larger reading load it has its advantages in that (more…)

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