Patience Ranjani McHenry ’26 is from Beaumont, Texas, by way of the Bay Area, CA. She studied sociology, psychology, and African American studies at the University of Notre Dame (Go, Irish!). This summer, she worked as an Edward Coles Fellow at the Illinois Human Rights Commission in Chicago. She says, “There are so many nuanced areas of the law and administrative law is one of them. I received sound advice that administrative law is a “must-have” experience for a law student/professional, so why not take the opportunity to immerse myself into the topic firsthand? I could not believe that I had the chance to work with administrative law judges during my first summer in law school—doing important work in discrimination, employment, and housing.”
How did you find this summer opportunity?
The Career Center sponsored a “mandatory” recruitment fair early in the year. Since all students were required to register, I decided to lean in and really explore the opportunities that were available. Having an interest in litigation, clerking with a judge seemed to be a worthwhile adventure. I was right!
How does your experience connect with what you currently envision doing with your law degree?
Litigation is a promising area of focus for my legal career (although I am not opposed to transactional work). Additionally, I was selected as a University of Minnesota Human Rights Center Fellow—an honor that validates my commitment to being a servant leader, being ingratiated into the community, and steadfast in the realization of justice. As I desire to also work in private practice, getting training in the judiciary was a logical step. I know that there is no single, formulaic pathway to achieving my career goals. Through this experience, I am building my skills and training as a generalist legal professional.
Please describe a “typical” workday on the job.
A typical workday involves meeting with the judges and general counsel to discuss case law, policies, novel or difficult cases and settle upon a proposed outcome, balancing a caseload of review requests (or “appeals”) to analyze and resolve, preparing bench memos for an en banc court, writing and reviewing orders for the judges and conferring with the judges in ADR-style settlement conferences. Every day is different and poses a fun, new combination of challenges!
What is something you learned or experienced that was surprising or particularly compelling during this summer position?
With all the things going on in the office, I was genuinely surprised by how much of an “open-door” policy the judges and counsel had for my questions, thoughts, and discussions. I experienced an outpouring of mentorship, professional guidance, and tutelage!
As for the cases, I was surprised at how many steps the petitioners (usually pro se) had to go through to see their case to completion. Some cases have been pending for years.
What are some key takeaways from the experience so far?
The beauty of precision. A key reason I wanted the position was to exercise and enhance my research and writing skills in a judicial setting. There is an art to concise, accurate, cogent and digestible legal writing.
Also, I recognized that despite working with titans of the industry and brilliant legal minds, my input matters. This can be a struggle for budding law students, but especially first-generation students, like me. Finding the sweet spot between listening and learning, speaking and asking questions has served me well in being a valuable, contributing member of the team.
How has your summer experience compared with your expectations?
Besides knowing I would do a lot of research and writing, I had no expectations from my position. My expectations were exceeded by the amount of elbow time I spent with the judges and general counsel. I am not the lowly clerk tucked in the basement, passing my work off to the judge’s assistant without looking them in the eye. I am in the car, along with the judge, helping to chart a way to justice and resolution. I also did not expect to be in the fray of settlement conferences (like arbitration and dispute resolution) and be mentored in the process—step-by-step. I loved it!
What advice would you offer another law student thinking about working in a similar position next summer?
Lean on your skills of statutory interpretation. If it helps, take administrative law in the spring as your elective. It is not required, but it will help you to dive directly into the core of the matter and how the law may apply. Finally, take the initiative in finding work projects, especially the ones that appeal to you. I have had a chance to learn from five administrative law judges, four state general counsels, and a panel of state commissioners in a close setting. Just asking, “May I help?” will ensure that your summer will not lack a diversity of experiences!
How are you spending your free time this summer?
Chicago is a fantastic city! So far, I have been “playing tourist” and taking advantage of its attractions — Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, the museums, and the theatre. City events — like free concerts in Grant Park and free movies in the park -— sporting events and comedy shows fill my roster. Of course, with its numerous diverse neighborhoods and cultural epicenters, it has been fun trying places to eat and attending cultural events. I am even taking a dance class! With all this fun, volunteering never leaves my DNA. My summer is accentuated with opportunities to advocate for Black, LGBTQ+, and disabled communities. I also attended conferences for the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL), American Constitution Society (ACS,) and the National Bankruptcy Institute, because we never stop learning!
What are you most looking forward to in returning to Minnesota Law this fall?
Chicago is great, but I am not going to lie — I love Minnesota! I look forward to engaging with the legal community again and starting a fresh set of legal courses. I am looking forward to my corporate law field placement, being a staffer on a law journal, and taking a course from one of my legal heroes, Ramsey County judge and Minnesota Law alum, the Honorable Nicole Starr ‘03! Having real-world experience under my belt, entering phase two of my legal studies has intensified my purpose, focus, and intent to realize justice in every setting in which I practice—whether it’s government, at a firm, or beyond.