Pursuing her J.D. at Wake Forest University School of Law, Lindsay Rudd is involved in several student organizations, including the Women in Law, Business Law Society, and Transactional Law Competition. She also serves her community by volunteering with pro-bono organizations like Prison Letters Project and Teen Court.
Lindsay earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, magna cum laude, from Gonzaga University, with majors in Law and Public Policy and minors in Spanish, International Studies, and Philosophy. During undergrad, she was a member of the Phi Sigma Iota honor society, president and founder of The Book Club, and a mentor in the Zag Study Buddies program
Q: Before this summer, what area(s) of law were you most interested in practicing? Describe how your interests changed or strengthened during your time as a Summer Associate?
A: Going into law school and this first summer, I only thought I would be interested in transactional work. Early on in the summer, I was assigned some more litigation-focused projects and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed them. One of the best parts of working as a summer associate with Fraser is the flexibility the firm gives you to explore different practice areas. With that, I was able to find more litigation-focused projects. I still don’t have a completely clear picture of what practice area I will go into, but I am so thankful for the ability to explore areas of law I had completely written off!
Q: Describe a piece of advice given by an attorney this summer that stuck with you.
A: The best piece of advice I got from an attorney this summer is that it’s okay to say there is no answer OR that the answer is the opposite of what the assigning attorney wants to hear. Again, I think it’s natural to feel unsure as a first-year summer associate. Usually, we don’t have a lot of experience, and at most, a lot less experience than the attorney you’re doing the project for. And I think what that advice is getting at is that you’re smart and capable, even after one year of law school, and that you should trust your ability to analyze and research.
Q: What “words of wisdom” would you like to pass along to the next class of Fraser Stryker Summer Associates?
A: Rely on you 2L clerk! It is so helpful to have someone to talk to who has been through a summer as a clerk at Fraser or even at another firm. Try to get a project from a practice area you think you have 0% interest in. It’s good to be able to say “I’ve tried that area and I don’t like it” instead of “I don’t think I would like that area”. Crossing practice areas off your list is very helpful in figuring out where you want to go professionally!
About the Fraser Stryker Summer Associate Program
The Summer Associate Program is structured to give summer associates a realistic experience, which is comparable to that of a first-year attorney. Visit the Fraser Stryker Summer Associate Program page to learn more about our program.
This article has been prepared for general information purposes and (1) does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship, (2) is not intended as a solicitation, (3) is not intended to convey or constitute legal advice, and (4) is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney. Always seek professional counsel prior to taking action.