Tell us about your current role.
I am clerking for Chief Justice Cleo Powell on the Supreme Court of Virginia. I enjoy working on a wide variety of complex legal issues. I’ve learned about so many areas of the law from adoptions to taxes. It’s also fascinating to see how the justices approach the same legal issue from different perspectives. I previously clerked on the Norfolk Circuit Court, and it was exciting to experience such fast-paced dockets. I observed countless bench and jury trials, so I was able to see examples of both good and not-so-good lawyering, which I think will be helpful as I head into private practice. I will be an associate at Klein Thomas Lee & Fresard in August, focusing on products liability law. I’m excited to grow as a litigator and advocate for my clients.
What courses were valuable in developing your practice interests and practical skills?
My favorite courses were those where I was able to venture outside of the traditional classroom and get hands-on experience. I externed with Judge Doris Causey on the Court of Appeals, through Richmond Law’s externship program, which was my first experience with the judicial process. Judge Causey has remained a wonderful mentor, so I highly recommend this program. I also externed at Dominion Energy where I got hands-on experience with contracts and a highly-regulated industry. I then participated in the Intellectual Property & Transactional Law Clinic, where I was able to work with actual clients who were passionate about protecting their businesses. Professor Dobbs helped me think like an associate and find the best solutions for my clients.
What advice would you give to current law students?
Be open to changing your mind! I entered law school with a vision of what my career would look like, but every experience I’ve had since has introduced me to opportunities I hadn’t considered before. So, be flexible.
Click Cleo Scott | LinkedIn to learn more about Cleo Scott (L’24).