News & Events Grace O’Brien Completes 1st Circuit Court of Appeals Internship Programme

Grace O’Brien, a final year student in the BCL (Criminology and Criminal Justice) degree programme, completed a prestigious internship with the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.  She was assigned to Judge O. Rogeriee Thompson, who was appointed to the federal appellate bench by President Barack Obama in 2010 and assumed senior status on the court in 2022. 

Ms O’Brien obtained the internship through the summer exchange programme between the School of Law and Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts, which is directed in Galway by Larry Donnelly and Dr Conor Hanly and by Professor Sara Dillon in Boston.  Dozens of students have obtained invaluable legal and cross-cultural experience on both sides on the Atlantic since the programme was founded.  The partnership agreement between the two law schools also includes a popular annual summer school on University of Galway's campus. 

Ms O’Brien is the first student in the exchange programme's history to be awarded an internship at the federal appellate level. During June and July, she divided her time between Judge Thompson’s offices in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island. 

Here is what Grace had to say about her experience: 

“During my time in Judge Thompson’s Chambers, I worked preparing bench memorandums for oral hearings. This work was interesting due to the great variety of cases before the Court of Appeals. In preparing these memorandums I would thoroughly read and review the record and briefs before researching the issues on appeal. Following this, I would conduct a legal analysis of the issues, ultimately asserting my legal opinion on how the case should be decided. The most exciting part of the externship was getting to see these cases play out at trial at oral hearings. It was amazing seeing a case come to life before you, having worked on it in-depth for the past two months. I was also extremely privileged to have the opportunity to discuss these cases with Judge after the hearings and to get an insight into how she reached her decisions on the issues. Aside from working on bench memorandums, I also assisted the law clerks with record checks and reviews of opinions for release.

While the Court of Appeals is based in Boston, we also worked in the Providence office in Rhode Island one day a week. It was such a great opportunity to get to know another American city and state, and us interns bonded quickly carpooling down to Rhode Island together! I found that working with American law students really helped my cultural immersion in the United States and its legal system. It gave me a great insight into their legal education and training, and they were all so kind and helpful to me in adapting to a new country and working in a new legal system!

It was such an incredible honour to work for Judge Thompson. She can only be described as a trailblazer. She is the first African-American and second woman to serve as a judge on the United States Court of Appeal for the First Circuit and was confirmed unanimously. Judge Thompson has extensive experience as a state court judge and above all is a woman with deep integrity, compassion, and respect for the law. It was such a privilege to work for such an inspiring woman, she will forever remain a role model of mine. Aside from her powerful legal presence though, she also happens to be a huge fan of river dance and has even visited Galway before!

Overall, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The insight I gained into not only the American legal system, but American politics and culture was second to none. I am very grateful to Larry and Conor in the law school for organising this opportunity and would strongly recommend this experience!”