Clerking for a Federal Judge: The Ultimate - Lifelong - Mentorship (Part II: Learning How to Learn)

Ok, it's time to get back on track, and write more about my federal clerkship experience (which I cannot believe was ten years ago, this August).  Having secured the job, and advised my family that I would be moving even further away from home, I started to focus on the magnitude of what was really happening; that I was a law clerk for a federal judge.  What exactly did that mean, other than the obvious brief writing and research. I had no idea, but I was more than ready to find out (insert extreme levels of intimidation and excitement).

Once I moved to Abingdon, and met all of the other judges, fellow law clerks, courthouse staff and security officers, I was off and running.  My very first assignment was to finish an opinion that had not been completed by my predecessor. (Not because my predecessor was lazy or inept, but simply due to the timing of the transition). It was no small task, and one that consumed me for weeks.  I tell you this only to note that because federal clerkships are typically one year in length, on the job training is the nature of the game.

With my first assignment under my belt, and a pile of other assignments waiting, I had plenty to do (which again, is the nature of the beast).  And while writing and research were at times enjoyable, even for me, they were not my favorite part of the job.  Unlike most other clerks in the country, I had a very unique opportunity to work for a judge that was legally blind (not totally blind, or even dramatically blind, but legally blind).  As a result, my fellow clerk and I took turns driving Judge Williams back and forth from his house.  We alternated weeks to make it easier.  Why exactly was driving the judge back and forth from his home the favorite part of the job one might ask? It's quite simple, when Judge Williams and I traveled together, it was my opportunity to ask questions and learn.  It was my opportunity to drain all of the wisdom and knowledge out of a man 50 years my senior, and with exponentially more experience.  Throw in the fact that Judge Williams lived an hour and half away (which caused me to spend at least three hours in the car with him each time I drove), and you can imagine all that I heard and learned during those twelve months.

When you are "at work," the time for water cooler talk, other than over lunch, is very limited.  Compound that with the fact that judges (both federal and state) are very busy.  It is well known that at the state and federal levels (at least in Virginia), that judges carry heavy dockets, and are required to do more with less, especially given today's economic environment.  Even ten years ago when I was clerking, the judges were extremely busy,  and had limited time to impart wisdom.

Every day that I drove Judge Williams was an honor.  Not because I was traveling with a federal judge, but because I was spending time with a man who had more knowledge in either of his pinkies, than I had in my entire body.  Had I not been provided this unique opportunity, I may never have known that Judge Williams shared a dorm room with Herman Wouk at The U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School (and ultimately became a character in Mr. Wouk's The Caine Mutiny).  I likely would have never learned that Judge Williams was elected Commonwealth's Attorney in Lee County, Virginia as a write-in candidate during his second year of law school, and that he was elected one of only two Republicans to the Virginia State Senate long before I was born.  And I certainly would have never known all of the stories that I have been sworn to secrecy not to tell (insert inside joke here).

Judge Williams is a great man, and someone whom I learned a lot from (and continue to learn a lot from).  Of course he taught me how to draft judicial opinions, field calls from curious attorneys and, prepare for a week of hearing oral arguments in the Sixth Circuit, where he sat by designation annually.  But none of that mattered.  None of that is what I took away from my time with Judge Williams.  What I learned how to learn during my clerkship, was how to ask questions about life and history, and all things revolving around Judge Williams' human experiences.  Judge Williams' wealth of knowledge in the legal world was superior and well respected, but it paled in comparison to his life experiences, and those were the stories and insights that I soaked up during my clerkship.

For those of you interested in clerking for a federal (or state) judge, you are first and foremost charged to do your job, and to do it well.  I expect that will not be a problem for any of you.  Beyond that however, I charge you to take as much time as possible to get to know your judge (or judges) on a human level.  Dig as hard as you need to, to reach those stories and life experiences that matter most to the judge.  When your short year (or two) is over, you will certainly be prepared to enter the legal world, as a professional.  But it will be those shared life experiences, hearing those stories over a buffet lunch at Stringers for example (another inside joke), that will truly make a difference in your development as a human being.  It will be those shared journeys that will further your ability to learn how to learn.  And that my friends, at least in my humble opinion, is what it is all about.

How Being a Good Person (and Twitter) Helped Jason Gore Earn a Sponsors Invitation into the 2012 Northern Trust Open

"Just signed up for the @ntrustopen qualifier, but you have NO IDEA how stoked I'd be to get a sponsors invitation! #myhometown #mymajor."  This unassuming tweet by Jason Gore (@jasongore59) on January 8th, was the catalyst that ultimately earned him a sponsors invitation into the 2012 Northern Trust Open (February 13-19 at Riviera Country Club).  Being a good person is what sealed his invitation.

If you know anything about Jason Gore at all, you probably know that he shot an 84 during the final round of the 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst #2, while playing in the final pairing with Retief Goosen (who shot 81).   What you probably do not know about Jason, is that he went on to win his next two Nationwide Tour events and earn the 7th ever "Battlefield" promotion (a mid-season promotion) from the Nationwide Tour onto the PGA Tour.  You probably also had no idea that in doing so, he shot one of only three 59s in Nationwide Tour history, and that September, earned his first victory on the PGA Tour at The 84 Lumber Classic. You also likely had no clue that Jason almost failed to card during the U.S. Open sectional qualifier at East Lake do to a prior commitment on the Nationwide Tour.  Moreover, I bet most of you, if you do not already know Jason, have no idea just how good of a person he really is.  Thanks in part to Twitter, you will all now know.

I recently spoke with Jason about how he uses Twitter to connect with his fans, and how that all translated into a fan supported Twitter campaign to earn him a sponsors invitation to the 2012 Northern Trust Open.  "Sometimes as athletes, we are not portrayed as 'regular' people. I think twitter brings followers into our daily lives and shows that we have the same issues and interests as they do.  Athletes become actually human," Jason said.

On April 9, 2010, Jason signed up for Twitter at the nudging of his buddies Kevin Harvick (@kevinharvick) and Josh Jones (@mother_function).  "I always made fun of people on Twitter thinking, why do I want to know where you are and what you are doing."  But Jason, through the help of Kevin and Josh, quickly earned a large following, and began to embrace and better understand the power and uniqueness of Twitter. 

When Jason sent his tweet in January, like all of the other 1,467 tweets he's sent, he thought nothing of it.  "All I wanted to do was let Northern Trust (@NTrustOpen) know I was thinking about them.  I never meant it to blow up the way it did.  It just proves the power of social media.  It's amazing how small our world has become."  And thanks to the campaigning efforts of Eric Magidson (@ericmagidson), @ghostofhogan and others, the Twitter campaign to get Jason a sponsors invitation to the 2012 Northern Trust Open was officially on. Four days later, on January 12th,  from their twitter account, the NTRS Corp. awarded Jason an exemption into the 2012 Northern Trust Open: "NTRS Corp. awards seasoned @PGATOUR pro & local fan fav @JasonGore59 w/ @NTrustOpen Exemption. Congrats, Jason!"

When I asked Jason his reaction to all of this, he said he "watched the entire thing unfold and was just floored by the whole thing.  It was amazing to watch.  I can't thank everyone enough for their support and kind words that everyone expressed". On behalf of all of your friends, fans and Twitter followers, I say thank you Jason.  Thank you for being, as you say, "actually human."  Thank you for getting to know your fans, and for using Twitter not as a broadcasting booth, but as a place to interact with and appreciate your fans. Thank you for accepting your way into the Northern Trust Open with humility, and not acting as though it was an entitlement.  We can only hope that more professional athletes adopt your model for using Twitter, and in doing so, make it the norm, rather than the exception.  Now, with all that said, go win the 2012 @NTrustOpen!

Author's Note: I'm certain you did not know that Jason played junior golf with Carson Daly!

Law School Tragedy Gives Us a Chance to Appreciate the Fallen

In the May 2002 edition of the Student Lawyer Magazine (American Bar Association's Law Student Division), I wrote about the three individuals who tragically lost their lives in the January 16, 2002 shootings at the Appalachian School of Law, in Grundy, Virginia.  I'd like to share with you what I wrote then, as we remember them ten years later:


"Dean Anthony Sutin, Professor Thomas Blackwell, and first-year student Angela Dales meant many things to many people.  To the Appalachian School of Law community, they were and remain above all true and dear friends. We will forever miss them in their spirits, their love, and their contributions.


"On January 16, 2002, a trouble student with a handgun took the lives of three of the most magnificent people I've ever known.  These individuals touched the lives of those who had the opportunity to spend time with them.  Is is in their honor that we will go forward and carry out our school's unique mission to serve our small community of Grundy, VA, the Appalachian region, and beyond.


"Dean Sutin was more than just a dean.  He was also a professor, a mentor, a confidant, and, most important, a friend.  He always made time for his students.  His door was always open, and we were welcome to visit at any time.  Whether we were there to discuss personal matters, political issues, or his teachings in constitutional law, Dean Sutin listened and, when the time was right, provided comfort and understanding.


"Professor Blackwell was a man of many hats, including those he wore as a proud Texan.  Whether he was acting as a professor, faculty sponsor, mentor, or friend, he always did so with compassion and concern.  His ability as a legal writing professor to encourage his students to face their fears and strive to overcome their weaknesses was unparalleled.  His ability to bring out the best in all of his students was second only to his ability to bring out the best in himself.  In the time I spent with Professor Blackwell, I never saw him discouraged or unhappy.  Instead, I saw him as driven and inspired to help his students and make a difference whenever possible.


"Angela Dales was one of the most unique individuals I've ever known.  Before enrolling at Appalachian, she was a student recruiter for our school.  Her ability as a recruiter was largely responsible for every student now enrolled here.  In fact, she was so dedicated that she ultimately recruited herself.  During her brief time as a student, Angela immersed herself in academics and extracurricular activities.  She took on her new role with the same determination and desire that she used as a recruiter.  And my memories of her smile that could always brighten a room will no doubt help brighten the days ahead.


"As we move forward from our tragedy, we will never forget the impact that Dean Sutin, Professor Blackwell, and Angela Dales hand on our lives.  We will never forget their abilities to bring out the best in all of us and to make our world a better place.  It is because of these three individuals that the Appalachian School of Law will survive and continue to grow stronger."

Appalachian School of Law Tragedy - 10 Years Later

On, Wednesday January 16, 2002, at 1:00 p.m., I was sitting in a classroom at the Appalachian School of Law ("ASL") preparing for my 1:30 class.  There were a few other folks with me at that time, and it was an otherwise normal day at ASL.  At 1:16 p.m., the lives of many changed forever, and the lives of three were taken prematurely by a senseless and cowardly gunman.  Not a day passes by where I do not reflect on the influence and kindness of those who lost their lives that day. As I reflect upon that day, I looked back at what I wrote as the Student Bar Association President in response to the horrible and unspeakable tragedy:

"The Students at the Appalachian School of Law are deeply saddened by the events of January 16, 2002.  First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the victim's family members and all of those affected by this tragic event.

"Tony, Tom and Angela meant many things to many people, but for all of us here, they were and remain true and dear friends.  These individuals will be forever missed in their spirits, their love and their contributions to the school and this community.

"To Rebecca, Stacey and Madeline, we wish you each a speedy and full recovery, as well as the resolve to put these events behind you.  Your classmates are with you.

"While yesterday's events were tragic and will never be forgotten, tribute must be paid to the many who displayed selfless acts of heroism.  To Ted, Todd, Daniel and to everyone else who played a key role in bringing an end to these senseless acts, we each thank you.  Your bravery can never be quantified or repaid, but will always be remembered.

"This community has faced many tragic times throughout its history, and while each of these events were separate and apart from the other, one common denominator always remains...its unity.  From each of these events, the community has rallied to become stronger than before.  Thus is the resolve of the students of the Appalachian School of Law."

If I could speak with those that lost their lives on that day, today, I'd say to Dean Sutin ("Tony"), Professor Blackwell ("Tom") and Angela Dales (first year student who once recruited for ASL prior to enrolling), that you inspire me every day.  I'd also tell them that their dreams of making the Appalachian School of Law into some place special have come true.  Then again, I know they can see all of this as they look down from above. So, on this tenth anniversary of that horrible tragedy, I renew my promise to move forward in honor of those who lost their lives, and sacrificed their dreams so that I could chase mine.