This week was a busy one! I began the week by attending the associate college luncheon on direct and cross examination, which doubled as the summer associate seminar. Towards the end of the week, all of the summer associates were provided a deposition to read and we were instructed that we would each have to draft a cross and direct examination to present during our workshop next Monday. Although the deposition was over 350 pages long, it doesn’t seem like it will be too bad since there aren’t any exhibits to be entered into evidence. Also, there really wasn’t much testimony other than the Plaintiff repeatedly saying “I don’t know,” which would have made for a great theme if I was drafting an opening or closing for this case! It also brings some comfort knowing that I have had a little bit of experience giving a cross and direct examination from my trial ad class in school!

This week, I also got to attend a few construction hearings with one of the associates. I enjoyed getting exposure to a new practice area and I could not believe how many defendants there are in a typical construction suit! I also enjoyed going to the hearing because it was in state court, which I have had very little exposure too. My internships in the past were all in federal court, so it was interesting to see how the two differed. Once I arrived back at the office, I was able to catch the end of a mediation. I was looking forward to attending the mediation because I had drafted assignments earlier in the week relating to the case, so I was familiar with the issues. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to observe too much of the mediation because one of the parties left early and unannounced, so the mediation ended sooner than what was expected.

After the mediation, we all went to the Oxford Exchange for lunch. The food was delicious! But even better, we learned that we have an [almost] celebrity at the Rumberger office! Aside from being a partner at Rumberger, Rob also had a short-lived acting career as an extra in Porky 3. So the next time you are in the Tampa office, be sure to stop by Rob’s office for an autograph!