This summer, I had an amazing internship with Judge Paul Felix. I have learned and grown much as an individual, a student, and as someone planning to attend law school. Thank you, Judge Felix, for providing me with a truly unique opportunity that few other undergraduates experience.
When I started my internship, I joined Judge Felix in the Circuit Court for Hamilton County, IN. I spent 9 weeks with him at the trial court level observing hearings, talking with him about his decisions, and assisting his staff with their duties. During this time, he was able to show me a behind-the-scenes look at what a busy trial court goes through on the daily. While in the Circuit Court, he explained his process of reviewing search warrants, assigned me case summaries to prepare, and asked me to do research into how ChatGPT may impact the practice of law in the near future. I also spent time observing other judges and magistrates to gain a full perspective on how the courts function. I found every day gave me something new to learn from, whether it me hearings for murders and complex family matters to simple traffic citations and joyful adoptions
On June 29th, Judge Felix was appointed by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb to the Indiana Court of Appeals. Judge Felix took the oath on July 28th, and I spent the last two weeks of my internship in Indianapolis as he began his duties with the Court of Appeals. During this time, I met many of the other Judges on the Indiana Court of Appeals, spoke with the staff, and gained an entirely different perspective on the practice of law than the trial court. I look forward to seeing a panel of judges again when the court’s traveling oral arguments come to Wabash next spring.
I would be remiss not to also thank those that helped make this experience possible. Thank you, Judge Felix, for allowing me to learn so much this summer. To the staff of his offices in the Circuit and Appellate level, the many attorneys I interacted with, and the Judges and Magistrates who taught me lessons along the way: Thank you. I also wish to give thanks to the Political Science Department and the Coons Grant team at Wabash College. I was a recipient of the Coons Grant which allowed me to gain this amazing experience, and I cannot be more thankful for the support of the Coons Family and Wabash College.
