In the heart of Washington, D.C., rising 2L Emma Kerro is spending her summer as a legal intern for the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
“This internship is such a unique opportunity and it is very different from a lot of other legal internships,” Kerro said. “It’s more policy focused, but I am still using my legal research and writing skills and great practice working with attorneys. I’m also developing a really strong background and base knowledge of banking and finance which will set me up for success later in my career.”
Kerro’s internship keeps her busy with reading and researching a variety of banking and finance-related topics and writing memos based on her findings. She then meets with the attorney who requested the memo to explain her findings.
“Spending the summer in D.C. is a lot of fun and there are other Case law students here which is very cool. I have also found friends in the other legal interns in the office and really enjoy spending the summer somewhere with so much history and so much to do.”
During the semester, Kerro is heavily involved in the Women’s Law Association, serving as secretary last academic year and as the incoming president. She credits the organization for teaching her valuable leadership and time management skills. Kerro is hoping to spearhead a mentorship program between established women lawyers and students who are interested in law school in the upcoming school year.
“The organization has significantly shaped my law school experience because it has not only taught me about leadership, but introduced me to many other women who are passionate about the same things as me and inspire me every day,” Kerro says.
Kerro mentions two professors who have been particularly influential in her education thus far: LLEAP professor Kathryn S. Mercer and her faculty advisor Sharona Hoffman. “It is very clear that they are experts on the material that they teach, which makes learning much easier,” she says.
“Professor Mercer relentlessly encourages her students to believe in themselves. She continually talks about the expectations that she has for students and where we fall, which helps to put performance in context and was extremely helpful in a difficult class like LLEAP. Professor Hoffman was extremely kind and encouraging during my internship search. She was always available when I needed help and made the process much less stressful.”