GW Law student Konya Margai, Class of 2028, spent her summer participating in the Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program, an opportunity she discovered through the GW Law Career Development Office (CDO).
The Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program provides summer internships to law school, college, and high school students. For her internship, Margai worked with U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Margai, who said she decided to go to law school out of a desire to make the law more accessible, described the internship as an invaluable experience that taught her “being a great lawyer is not always about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s so important to be respectful, be prepared, and be willing to work with the judge and the opposing counsel to resolve the issue at hand.”
Read the full conversation below.
What made you want to go to law school?
My decision to attend law school grew out of both personal and professional experiences where I was inspired by the power of law as a tool to open doors, to advocate, to mediate, and to seek justice in spaces where it has traditionally been inaccessible.
Before law school, I worked for several years in an administrative role at a law firm. Each day, I was inspired by the incredible work of the lawyers that I worked with. It opened my eyes to what lawyering could be. I realized that in addition to substantive work, working in law could also mean engaging in mentorship and professional development opportunities, impactful pro bono work, building a strong community among your colleagues, and so much more. I truly enjoyed the administrative field, but over time I realized that I wanted to be more directly involved in the work itself.
Outside of work, my decision to attend law school was affirmed through volunteering in different capacities. The experience that sat with me profoundly was working as a literacy tutor. I taught reading comprehension and writing skills to adult learners. I built deep connections with my students, and as I observed them improve and become more confident in their daily interactions, I realized that I aspire to become a lawyer who helps to bridge those gaps and make law more accessible, particularly for marginalized communities. As I continue to integrate myself into the law community, I hope to build those meaningful connections and to embody the diverse leadership I sought as a child.
Why did you choose GW Law?
I was drawn to GW Law not just because of its location, but because of the incredible community of professors, staff, and students who foster such a supportive environment. When I first visited the campus on Admitted Students Day, I remember sitting in a mock class and feeling an overwhelming sense of excitement, curiosity, and belonging. I knew that GW Law was where I needed to be.
I was also very interested in moving to the D.C. area, as a previous internship that I had done in college piqued my interest in government service. Between the location, diverse course offerings, professors, and extracurriculars, I was eager to become a part of the GW Law community.
How did you find out about the Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program?
I first heard about the Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program by email from GW Law’s Clerkship team in the Career Development Office. I was interested in serving as a judicial intern, as I aspired to better understand the judicial process and to build my legal advocacy skills. The Sotomayor program was a fantastic opportunity to do so.
How did the CDO help you find this opportunity, and what was the value of their guidance throughout the application process?
The Career Development Office was incredibly helpful with the process. CDO offers various opportunities to strengthen your skills as a candidate through resume review sessions and mock interviews. These were integral to cultivating a strong application and interview.
Also, when I had logistical concerns about relocating to New York for the summer, CDO (with a special shout-out to Erin Kelly) went above and beyond to connect me with various resources to make the move more feasible.
Describe the work you did in this internship. What was your favorite part?
Through the Sotomayor Program, I had the opportunity to work with U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. As a judicial intern, I conducted full docket reviews and legal research for various civil cases and then discussed the issues with Judge Wang and her law clerks. My favorite part of the internship was regularly attending Judge Wang’s courtroom proceedings and settlement conferences and assisting with the drafting of motion correspondence, as I strengthened my legal writing and advocacy skills. SDNY also handles a large number of high-profile cases, and being able to observe and become an active part of the judicial review process was invaluable.
The Sotomayor program also hosted various trainings and professional development events throughout the summer. For instance, we had the opportunity to attend career panels, an arbitration training, and a full day at Bloomberg L.P., where we could work on important legal skills and gain insight from practicing attorneys in different sectors of the legal field. In addition to building valuable skill sets, it was wonderful to connect with other law students from across the country. At the end of the program, a reception was held where we all met Justice Sotomayor, the judges who hosted interns, and much of the program’s leadership. It was an indescribable way to close out the summer and a moment that I will never forget. I am extremely grateful to Justice Sotomayor, Judge Wang and her law clerks, and the entire program team for making the summer possible.
What lessons did you learn that you think you’ll carry into your legal career?
One of the greatest lessons I learned from being a judicial intern is that being a great lawyer is not always about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s so important to be respectful, be prepared, and be willing to work with the judge and the opposing counsel to resolve the issue at hand. I found that the more prepared an attorney was, the more they were able to adapt and be effective within the courtroom.
In addition, one of the beautiful things about the legal field is that it’s filled with lawyers from different backgrounds. These backgrounds ultimately inform the style and approach that one takes towards lawyering. I learned that it isn’t necessary to mirror someone else’s approach to be effective. Your own experiences, style, and way of connecting could become your greatest strengths as an advocate. It’s possible that your unique approach may be what a future client is searching for.
What advice do you have for other GW Law students looking to participate in summer internship programs like this one?
In terms of the application process, I would encourage other GW Law students to apply and to focus on the unique experiences and traits that make up who they are. The Sotomayor program brings together a collection of leaders with different backgrounds and perspectives, and your story may be exactly what they are looking for. I would also encourage students to approach internships like this with an open mind, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. There is so much to learn and absorb in these programs as a law student. Believe in yourself and your journey, and the right opportunity will find you.
