Richard Williams conducted legal research for the Hon. Mark Martin of the Supreme Court of North Carolina as part of his Elon Law education. An aspiring criminal law attorney, Williams shared insights about his experience for the latest profile in a series of Q&A's on residency-in-practice placements for Elon Law's Class of 2018.
Richard Williams L’18 wants to one day be a judge.
First, however, his career goal is to develop a reputation as a zealous and effective criminal law attorney, representing those in need of assistance navigating a complex legal system. Combining the two ambitions is what led him earlier this year to North Carolina’s state capital.
Elon Law students complete a legal residency-in-practice during their second year of study. Williams worked full-time for 10 weeks this winter in Raleigh, conducting legal research for Chief Justice Mark Martin of the Supreme Court of North Carolina.
The residency reinforced his commitment to the legal profession. “I believe that I was called into the practice of law,” said Williams, an alumnus of Campbell University. “Practicing law will allow me to be a part of something so much bigger than myself and will equip me with the necessary tools to help those who need my help the most.”
Williams – who is active with Elon Law’s Moot Court Board, its Student Bar Association, and the law school’s chapter of The Innocence Project – answered questions recently about his residency-in-practice with the lead jurist of North Carolina’s highest court.
What responsibilities were you assigned as part of your residency?
I was primarily assigned research-oriented projects. Specifically, much of my time was allotted to researching cases with upcoming oral arguments in order to give legal recommendations to the chief justice. I would review a case from the Court of Appeals and offer a recommendation on how I believed the Supreme Court should rule.
How did your residency experiences reinforce your career goals?
Working at the Supreme Court gave me insight into the way that North Carolina appellate courts operate and it allowed me to see firsthand what goes on behind the doors of the Court. Each day taught me more about how judges think, speak, and act.
What was one thing you learned during your residency that you don’t think would have happened solely by attending class?
Being able to sit in on meetings and discuss cases and see how a judge thinks is something that students will not get in the traditional classroom setting. The residency program transformed everything that we had read in our textbooks into a real-life scene that allowed students to gain valuable practical experience while putting their legal knowledge to the test. Working alongside Chief Justice Martin allowed me to see how a judge comes to a decision on a particular case and the multitude of factors involved in making such decisions.
In what ways do you predict your approach to classes and bar preparation might change because of your residency?
Bar preparation is going to be much more than reading from a supplement or flipping through flashcards. My residency gave me practical experience that will allow me to approach the bar in an entirely new way by allowing me to implement the knowledge I acquired while at work.
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About Elon Law:
Elon University School of Law in Greensboro, North Carolina, is the preeminent school for engaged and experiential learning in law. With a focus on “learning by doing,” it integrates traditional classroom instruction with course-connected, full-time residencies-in-practice in a logically sequenced program of transformational professional preparation. Elon Law’s groundbreaking approach is accomplished in 2.5 years, which provides distinctive value by lowering tuition and permitting graduates early entry into their legal careers.