I was placed at the Cherokee County Superior Court in the Juvenile and Family Division. I was supervised by Judge Ellen McElyea, who is the head of the division, along with Judge John B. Sumner who is also a presiding Judge in the department. During my time working with the Judges' offices, I was able to witness a gamut of activities. I was so pleased with the position because I was able to delve into child advocacy, but I was also exposed to other family, juvenile and criminal issues simultaneously.

My individual work was mainly comprised of topical research on various issues that have impacted the juvenile court. I conducted research and exhausted my resources in order to prepare detailed memorandums for review by the Judges. Some of the areas I researched included justification defenses, impeachment, grandparent intervention, child support, jurisdiction, marital privileges, and paternity. I contacted individuals who could provide up-to-date answers on cutting edge issues before the court and I relied heavily on Lexis-Nexis and on Michie's compilations of Georgia case law. The last part of my time with the court was spent working on a comparison of the individuals that appeared before each Judge. I was looking to see the frequency of repetition of individuals and to see what juveniles also had parents in the system. I had to format the names and organize the system in order to begin comparing, so I left the framework on which to update the project or make further inquiries. I also reviewed case files in order to create summary charts and other memorandums for the Judges. Finally, I responded to a prisoner's request in the form of an order.

Both of my supervising Judges took time to discuss cases, court reasoning, procedures, frustrations with the system and all related aspects facing the juvenile division. It was inspiration and motivational to follow a case and talk with the Judges on how they ruled. Their convictions were evident and the concern and thought that they applied to their cases was encouraging.

The two most important aspects that I wanted from the job were exposure and comfort on the job. The Judges did all they could to be sure that I saw many sides of each issue. They went through backgrounds of cases and situations and allowed me to consider real instances that corresponded to the research that I conducted. The quality of this job was superior. I enjoyed going to work each day and I often spent hours afterward working on projects, not from pressure, but because of wanting to do so. From the first week onward, I was heavily incorporated into every aspect of the court. I attended monthly Judges' meetings, observed court proceedings, and sat in on numerous citizens' panel review sessions. I interacted daily with the Judges, attorneys and staff. I was not only a part of the work atmosphere, but I was incorporated into the social climate of the courthouse; I attended local Bar meetings, working luncheons and other engagements with the Judges and workers of the court. I could not have asked for a more fulfilling summer experience and I would recommend the position to anyone with a strong interest in family law.