KU Law Blog

Six law students land circuit court clerkships in recent years

KU Law’s curriculum equips law students with the legal knowledge and practice-ready skills needed to succeed.

In the past five years, six KU Law students have been selected to clerk at a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. A circuit clerkship is a prestigious and challenging post-graduate opportunity for law students to develop a relationship with a circuit court judge and to observe the legal practice in action.

Clerkships are available in both federal and state courts. Law students interested in applying for clerkships are aided by the law school’s Judicial Clerkship Committee and the Office of Career Services.

Circuit court clerkships

Ashley Akers (center) clerked for Judge N. Randy Smith at the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Pocatello, Idaho. **Photo courtesy of Ashley Akers.**

Ashley Akers, L’16

Ashley Akers, L’16, clerked for Judge N. Randy Smith at the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Pocatello, Idaho.

“During my clerkship, I learned a tremendous amount about the practice of law in a short period of time, met and interacted with brilliant law clerks and judges from across the country, and, best of all, gained a lifelong mentor,” Akers said. “I know for certain that I am a better lawyer because of my clerkship.”

*Sara Fevurly (right) clerked for Judge Nancy Moritz at the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.* *Photo courtesy of* *Sara Fevurly*.

Sara Fevurly, L’16

Sara Fevurly, L’16, clerked for Judge Nancy Moritz at the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Topeka.

“My experience as a circuit clerk was tremendously rewarding. Over the course of a year, my writing and critical thinking improved significantly,” Fevurly said. “I am eternally grateful to Judge Moritz for hiring me, teaching me and supporting me as I continue my legal career.”

In addition to Fevurly’s circuit clerkship, she also did a judicial clerkship. Fevurly clerked for Judge Julie Robinson at the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas.

Maureen (Orth) Moeder, L’16

Maureen (Orth) Moeder did not one – but two – clerkships. Moeder, L’16, clerked for Judge Mary Murguia, L’85, at the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Phoenix. She also clerked for Judge Daniel Crabtree at the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas.

“My clerkship experiences after law school were invaluable. Not only was I exposed to many different areas of law, I was also mentored by two extraordinary judges,” Moeder said. “Through both clerkships, I learned how to be a better legal writer and a better legal thinker.”

Michael Hayes (far right) is currently clerking for Judge Steven Grasz on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in Omaha, Nebraska. **Photo courtesy of Michael Hayes.**

Michael Hayes, L’19

Michael Hayes, L’19, is currently clerking for Judge Steven Grasz on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in Omaha, Nebraska.

“Clerking for Judge Grasz has been a great experience so far. It’s required me to dive deep into legal research and sharpen all the skills I’ve developed while in school,” Hayes said. “There are always opportunities to discuss legal questions and theories with the judge, which is an opportunity that few other legal jobs provide.”

Chris Carey, L’19

Chris Carey, L’19, will clerk for Judge Nancy Moritz at the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Topeka next year. Carey is currently doing a clerkship for Judge Steve Leben at the Kansas Court of Appeals in Topeka.

“For me, pursuing a circuit clerkship was a no-brainer. The prospect of getting to research and write every day on a wide variety of complex legal issues was simply irresistible. So too was the opportunity to work through those issues in a chambers environment where I could observe how judges decide cases at the appellate level. That kind of experience will be invaluable later in my career,” Carey said.

Cara Beck, L’20

Upon her graduation from law school in May, third-year law student Cara Beck will clerk for Judge Jonathan A. Kobes on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

“I chose to pursue a circuit court clerkship, so that I could have the opportunity to observe some of the best attorneys in the nation in action, both in brief-writing and oral arguments,” Beck said. “Clerking for Judge Kobes on the Eighth Circuit will be the most rewarding experience and will hopefully help shape me into a diligent and thoughtful advocate.”

Judicial clerkships

A considerable number of KU Law graduates accept judicial clerkships, including nine members of the Class of 2019. The school’s Judicial Clerkship Committee has overseen a doubling in the number of federal and state court clerkships obtained by law school graduates in recent years, including positions at prestigious federal courts of appeal.

Over the past five academic years, 30 students have secured clerkships.

Class of 2020

Cara Beck – U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Andi Leuszler – U.S. District Court of Kansas
Joy Merklen – U.S. District Court of Kansas

Class of 2019

Chris Carey – U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit; Kansas Court of Appeals
Jeff Carmody – Kansas Court of Appeals
Maria Drouhard – U.S. District Court of Missouri, Western District
Michael Hayes – U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Paul Keithley – Kansas Court of Appeals
Nancy Musick – U.S. District Court of Kansas
Ryan Ott – Kansas Court of Appeals
Alex Rindels – U.S. District Court of Kansas
Amelia Selph – Kansas Court of Appeals

Class of 2018

Bradley Hook – Kansas Court of Appeals
Sangeeta Shastry – U.S. District Court of Kansas
Lindsay Strong – Kansas Supreme Court
Ben Stueve – U.S. District Court of Missouri, Western District

Class of 2017

Ethan Brown – Kansas Supreme Court
Skyler Davenport – U.S. District Court of Kansas; Kansas Supreme Court
Nathan Kakazu – U.S. District Court of Kansas
Clay Nordsiek – U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Missouri
Hannah Schoeb – U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Missouri
Maggie Turek – Kansas Court of Appeals
Eric Witmer – Kansas Supreme Court; 16th Judicial District Court of Jackson County, Missouri

Class of 2016

Ashley Akers – U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Benjamin Baumgartner – U.S. Court of International Trade
Reid Day – U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri
Sara Fevurly – U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit; U.S. District Court of Kansas
Maureen (Orth) Moeder – U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; U.S. District Court of Kansas
Kip Randall – U.S. District Court of Kansas
Christopher Teters – Kansas Court of Appeals

— By Ashley Golledge

Advising Taiwan

Professor Raj Bhala provides WTO guidance

Raj Bhala’s work in the area of international and comparative law has taken him to both sides of disputed international borders. He’s conducted scholarship in Taiwan and mainland China, Israel and Arab countries, and Pakistan and India.

“Here we are in the American heartland, with a borderless professor who’s trying to advance cosmopolitan, borderless thinking in his teaching and research,” said Bhala, who serves as the Brenneisen Distinguished Professor at KU Law. He is a senior advisor at Dentons US LLP and writes a column for BloombergQuint, based in Mumbai, India.

In December 2018, Bhala traveled to Taiwan to advise the Taiwanese government’s Office of Trade Negotiations on policies and strategies related to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The visit included private meetings with senior officials, as well as a closed-door session for government representatives. Bhala also spoke to a public audience of 200 people in a presentation titled, “WTO Reform in Context: FTAs, National Security and Three Specific Crises – Tentative Thoughts for Taiwan.”

Bhala addressed challenges facing the WTO, proposals Taiwan could make to ensure the success of the WTO, and Taiwan’s relationship with international trade partners.

“Taiwan wants to embrace organizations like the WTO and maybe get plugged into a free trade agreement network,” Bhala said. “The overall picture is, how can Taiwan safeguard its unique position in the world trading system?”

The 2018 visit was Bhala’s second consulting trip to Taiwan – he taught a week-long course on General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade law and policy in 2014.

Bhala also traveled to Israel in March of this year to teach an intensive course in international trade law to students at Tel Aviv University who came from around the world. It was the most recent of nearly two dozen trips to the Middle East, Bhala said. He had previously traveled throughout the region, not only on trade matters, but also to develop his textbook on Islamic law, titled Understanding Islamic Law (Sharī‘a).

Working on multiple sides of trade and political borders reveals links between international trade and comparative law, Bhala said.

“The connecting theme is national security,” Bhala said. “We’ve never been in an era in which the link between trade and international security is more tightly drawn, and a lot of my scholarship highlights that link.”

Bhala recently authored the fifth edition of International Trade Law: A Comprehensive Textbook, a four-volume work about economics, politics, international relations, philosophy and religion as they relate to international trade law. His commentary on international trade has recently appeared in outlets including The Washington Post, NPR’s Marketplace and Reuters.

— By Margaret Hair

This story originally appeared in the fall 2019 issue of the KU Law magazine.

Dear Cis People,

Yes, you. The one who opened this post ready to defend your immediate emotional response to reading the title. No, this is not a conventional KU Law blog post and no, this post is not going to shame you for your ignorance. With November 20 marking Transgender Day of Remembrance and November 18-22 representing Trans Liberation Week, this blog post is dedicated to the cisgender community, myself included, who want to support and uplift the transgender community. Let’s start with the basics: a definition.

Cisgender: a term used to describe a person whose gender identity conforms with the sex they were assigned at birth.

For example, I was assigned female at birth and I identify as female. This security of understanding my gender identity is a privilege. I can leverage this position to support my trans sisters and brothers and plan to do so throughout my legal career.

Names were posted on a bulletin board in Green Hall to bring attention to the more than 22 trans and gender expansive individuals who have been murdered in 2019. **Photo courtesy of Bria Nelson.**

Did you know?

More than 22 trans women of color and gender-expansive individuals were murdered in 2019, their deaths largely arising out of acts of hate. I decided to post these victims’ names in Green Hall in hopes that this student activism effort would bring awareness to the acts of violence taking place against the transgender community, and specifically against black trans women. Two of these acts of violence occurred in Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas. We have the power to end acts of anti-trans violence. It is important to me to continue advocating for this community, who I would argue is one of the most marginalized in the country. You can read more about it here.

Second-year KU Law student Bria Nelson participates in the 2019 San Francisco Pride Parade. **Photo courtesy of Bria Nelson.**

The importance and impact of positive pronoun practices

Being an ally is as easy as you make it. Respect other people’s existence, diversify your friend group, learn about LGBTQIA+ and trans history, and add your pronouns to your email signature. We tend to assume an individual’s pronouns — and therefore, their gender — based on their appearance or name. These assumptions, even when correct, send the potentially harmful message that people who look a certain way must identify with a certain gender.

Not everyone uses “she/her” or “he/him” pronouns. “They/them/theirs” and “ze/zir/zirs” are some examples of non-gendered pronouns you may see being used. Because not all people identify with the gender binary, it is important to practice proper pronoun usage. By making appearance-based assumptions about a person’s pronouns, we are perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes and potentially misgendering individuals along the way.

You can also practice inclusive pronoun usage by avoiding gender-exclusive language. For example, say “friends and colleagues” or “students and future colleagues” instead of “ladies and gentlemen” as a greeting. Or refer to people by their first names or their titles (i.e. “Attorney Nelson” or “Counselor Nelson” as opposed to “Ms. Nelson”).

Please see below for an example of an email signature template:

Example: Bria Nelson

E: brianelson@ku.edu

T: 785-867-5309

Pronouns: she/her/hers

If we don’t understand the importance of a person’s pronouns, we risk making them feel disrespected, alienated, or unsafe when we use their incorrect pronouns. By encouraging inclusive practices around pronouns, we normalize the expression of pronouns and create a more welcoming environment for transgender and nonbinary people.

For additional information regarding pronouns and definitions, listing tips on navigating pronoun conversations, and more examples of inclusive pronouns practices, visit this link.

In conclusion, trans women are women. Trans men are men. Non-binary identities are valid. They deserve your respect and equal rights.

— Bria Nelson is a 2L from Woodstock, Illinois and a KU Law Student Ambassador.

Navigating energy

Luis Gomar counsels clients on international energy

Luis Gomar speaks to upper-level law students at the KU Law 2L/3L Orientation in August 2018. **Photo by Ashley Golledge.**

International energy attorney Luis Gomar, L’05, is passionate about international work with Latin America because that’s where he is from originally. Gomar was born and raised in Mexico City.

“When Mexico started opening up investment to private parties in energy, it was an opportunity for me to help the country that I was born in,” Gomar said.

Gomar is a partner at Baker McKenzie in the firm’s Houston office. Baker McKenzie has a network of 15 offices in Latin American countries that Gomar travels to extensively.

“Baker McKenzie has global management,” Gomar said. “It truly is an international firm.”

Gomar counsels clients on domestic and international transactions involving divestitures; financing; fund formations; mergers and acquisitions; and joint ventures. He advises energy companies on contracts, formation and structure planning. He is also a frequent speaker on the Mexico Energy Reform.

“My job is very unique because I can truly have a positive impact on communities based on just doing the type of corporate transactions that I do,” Gomar said.

Before joining Baker McKenzie, Gomar was a partner at the law firm of Thompson and Knight in their international energy department. He served as the head of Thompson and Knight’s Mexico City office and advised clients on cross-border transactions in the energy and finance sectors.

Gomar enjoys international energy law because of the opportunity to effect economic and social change.

“You have an opportunity to be at the forefront of policy change,” he said. “Energy companies truly invest in the communities that they end up going into, whether it’s in Africa or Latin America.”

What is Gomar’s key to success as an international lawyer? His ability to develop a quick understanding of business cultures.

“You really have to focus on empathy and really understanding cultures,” Gomar said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to speak their language. It means being able to assess what people are trying to say to you versus what they’re actually saying to you.”

Gomar said that international law courses he took at KU Law were instrumental to his career path in international law.

“I was so positively influenced by practically every professor I had at KU Law that I think holistically KU prepared me for an international career better than I think most law schools could,” he said.

Gomar is proud to be a part of the KU Law alumni community. KU Law’s network of alumni spans the globe and every practice area.

“Law students should know that KU Law truly prepares them for a career in law, whatever it is that they decide they’re going to do,” he said. “There’s also a great network of individuals that are always open to provide guidance and assist. It’s a true community.”

— By Ashley Golledge

This story originally appeared in the fall 2019 issue of the KU Law magazine.

From small town to international trade

Devin S. Sikes excels at representing clients in complex international trade cases

(From left) Cody Wood, L’17; Devin Sikes, L’08; and KU Law Professor Raj Bhala presented at the Inter-Pacific Bar Association’s annual meeting in Singapore this past April. **Photo courtsey of Raj Bhala.**

Devin S. Sikes, L’08, is one of the few people in the world who has clerked on both the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC).

He clerked for the Hon. Judith M. Barzilay at the CIT and the Hon. Evan J. Wallach at the CAFC. Out of the five people to clerk for both courts, Sikes is the only one to date who went on to practice international trade law.

Sikes has assisted clients in navigating international trade matters before U.S. agencies, U.S. courts and international tribunals for 12 years.

“I have the privilege of working for some really fascinating clients,” Sikes said. “It’s fun to try to help them solve some of the trade issues that they’re facing.”

He serves as counsel at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in Washington, D.C. At his firm, Sikes specializes in international trade litigation. He advises and represents clients in antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, customs matters, and a broad range of trade proceedings. He also counsels clients on administrative law and patent issues. Before joining his current firm, he served in the U.S. government for nearly a decade.

Sikes has handled over 35 cases before the CIT and more than 10 appeals before the CAFC. In trade matters, he has represented clients in dispute settlement cases before the entities under both the North American Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization.

Sikes also makes an effort to give back and assist those who can’t afford legal services.

“I have a pretty robust pro bono practice here at the firm,” Sikes said. “We, as attorneys, are incredibly privileged once we complete our education. I think it’s incumbent upon us to preserve a sense of commitment to our community.”

In April, Sikes had the chance to present at the Inter-Pacific Bar Association’s annual meeting in Singapore. Professor Raj Bhala and Cody Wood, L’17, also presented.

“It was a real privilege to be at a conference with over 1,500 attendees from all over the world to hear about the different issues that they face in their practices,” Sikes said.

Sikes grew up in the small town of Rose Hill, Kansas, which is near Wichita. His interest in international trade law began while he was earning undergraduate degrees in philosophy and Spanish from KU.

“I developed a strong interest in the synergy of trade and people,” Sikes said. “Trade law is what interested me. That was my calling.”

He decided to pursue a legal education at KU Law, in substantial part, because of Bhala and his expertise in international trade.

“I knew that I wanted to do international trade law. It just so happened that I had the world’s leading international trade scholar right there in my backyard,” Sikes said.

Sikes said international trade law courses at KU Law were critical to launching his career. He advises law students to form relationships with classmates, build up a professional network, try to understand different perspectives and to aim high with their goals.

“Take my case as a prime example. I was a kid growing up in a very rural town of 2,500 people in Kansas. Don’t let any preconceived geographic limitations hold you back. There’s a world of opportunity out there,” he said.

— By Ashley Golledge

This story originally appeared in the fall 2019 issue of the KU Law magazine.

Similar life lessons can be learned from law school, relationships

I got engaged during the summer before my 3L year. Since then, I have been planning my upcoming wedding between classes. Since my mind has been constantly switching from thoughts about the assigned Jurisdiction reading to thinking about marrying my fiancé, you can understand why I recently made an interesting connection. Law school is a lot like a relationship. I know it sounds weird, but hear me out:

You think about it all the time

Just like someone in a brand new relationship, law school is constantly on your mind. You see potential tort claims at the grocery store. You actually read your apartment lease contract. You bore your non-law school friends by talking about how Conflict of Laws is “actually really cool.” Like it or not, law school takes over your brain!

Emily Leiker and her fiancé, Nick Schmidt, got engaged the summer before Leiker’s third year of law school. **Photo courtesy of Emily Leiker.**

It takes communication

Law school success means making meaningful connections. Whether you make an effort to visit your professor’s office to ask them about today’s lecture, meet with fellow students for a group project, or catch up with a local law firm at the Oread for a networking event, a good law student knows communication is key.

It takes compromise

Every law student has thought about how it would be easier to just ignore law school obligations and binge-watch Netflix instead. Other times, law students study too hard and forget to take care of themselves. A successful law student, however, knows how to compromise. Sure, you must study hard and put in the time and work. But you can’t forget to take some time to relax and treat yourself. Balance is important: in relationships and in law school.

It’s completely worth it

Just like with a partner, if you don’t put in the time, you won’t get anywhere. With assignments, networking events, Law Review obligations, and upcoming oral arguments, there’s a lot of work law students need to do. Once you put in the work though, you get to see how far you’ve come and how much you’ve learned! As a 3L, it’s very exciting to see all of the great things ahead of me. And my exciting future wouldn’t look the same without law school.

— Emily Leiker is a 3L from Hays and a KU Law Student Ambassador.

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