Things have not slowed down at all since we've been here. We are meeting incredible people everyday we have class and I am learning a lot at my internship.
The past two weeks have included some of the highlights of my time here so far. Last week, we got to go to the Supreme Court to watch an oral argument. I could not believe I was sitting there watching the nine justices listen to a case that they would rule on. I couldn't believe that I was even getting to see the justices. I think I will always remember the feeling of looking at the bench and being in awe that I was looking at them sitting in their tall black chairs in their black robes grilling the attorneys for each side with questions. I loved seeing how each of the justices acted. I loved hearing the questions they asked, the tones they used, and the attitudes they gave the attorneys. Justice Ginsburg was on fire with one of the attorneys; he couldn't get one answer out completely before she was arguing with him and asking him another question. Justice Sotomayor had such a strong attitude; I don't think anyone could help thinking "You go girl!" especially since she is the junior justice in her first year. Justice Stevens is still incredibly sharp; he is so smart and composed. I would have never guessed that he is 89 years old if I hadn't known that already. Justice Scalia looked so funny because he sits very low in his chair and rocks back. From the audience all you can see is from his nose up.
Then this past Monday, our class got to go back to the Supreme Court with one of the American Politics classes from the Washington Semester Program and have meeting with Justice Scalia! It was incredible to meet him. We got to learn about his views on originalism, precedent, and ask him questions. He also kept us laughing as he has a very sarcastic sense of humor.
We've met more Members of Congress, officials at government agencies like the FDA, and more judges, both local and federal. I love class and getting to learn about our government by meeting the people who are involved in running it.
Interning at the Attorney General's Office has really helped me see what being a lawyer is like. The people in the office are so nice and helpful that it makes working there so much nicer. Lately I've been given a lot more responsibility too in terms of assignments so that's been really nice. I'm getting the chance to write documents for Esther, one of the attorney's I'm working with, such as discovery requests and letters. Discovery refers to the part of the litigation process where each side of the case is investigating and trying to obtain information from the other side. I've also gotten the chance to do some research and take care of organizing things dealing with a bunch of cases.
This past week I even got to go to a panel discussion at Georgetown Law School with Esther about the Second Amendment. It was really nice to go because I've learned so much about the right to bear arms last spring semester in the Constitutional Law class I took and this semester here in DC. While I've been here we've heard both sides of the issue as we've talked to representatives from the NRA and the Brady Group. The panel was so interesting because I got to see attorney who argued the Heller case and is going to argue the upcoming Chicago case speak as well as three other scholars/attorneys. Not to mention I got to see parts of the Law School which is so nice.
We have another crazy week coming up this week before we all head home for Thanksgiving. As of right now we are supposed to be meeting with four Members of Congress on Wednesday; I can't wait!
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