Jolena Zabel ’21
Where did you grow up?
A small town on the Mississippi called Hastings, Minnesota.
What did you do this summer?
I was a law clerk at the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office (HCAO) in downtown Minneapolis. One thing that attracted me to the program is the fact that Minnesota gives rising 2Ls student practice licenses. The program is also filled with incredible mentors and chances to get feedback. These opportunities really helped me grow both in and out of the courtroom this summer.
We heard you had the opportunity to help with a case before the Minnesota Supreme Court. Can you tell us more about that experience?
This summer I helped write the respondent’s brief for a criminal case on appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court. It was a statutory interpretation question involving a lot of grammar. I really enjoyed diving into it and ended up winning a law clerk competition by presenting on its main issue. After the brief was filed, my supervising attorney asked if I would like to return to “second-chair” the argument.
I agreed and came back a few days before the argument in early October. I participated in preparation meetings with other attorneys, talked through the case with the supervising attorney, and got to observe how he prepared for the argument. The night before the argument, it finally clicked that the justices would be questioning arguments for which I was responsible and I would be trying to help someone respond in real time. I felt some nerves, but my supervising attorney and everyone at HCAO were incredibly supportive throughout the process. I also felt really prepared for the experience from Professor Ruth Buck’s Legal Research and Writing class, Criminal Law with Professor Josh Bowers, and Criminal Procedure with Professor Rachel Harmon.
At the argument itself, I sat at counsel’s table with my supervising attorney. I felt energized being so physically and intellectually close to the proceedings. Adding to the excitement, the Minnesota Supreme Court chose to hear this case on the road, so the argument was in front of around 900 high schoolers in rural Minnesota. After the argument finished, the justices took their robes off and returned to the auditorium stage to answer questions from the students (just not about the case, of course!). I don’t know if other state supreme courts have similar programs, but it was really neat.
What are you involved in around the Law School?
I’m grateful to be a Co-Chair of Feminist Legal Forum (FLF), a Law in Public Service Fellow and board member, a PILA board member, and a Productions Editor for VJIL. I also love participating in JLSA and First-Generation Professionals. Shout-out to my Legal Research & Writing 1Ls too!
What are you going to be doing this summer?
I’m crossing the pond to work for Latham & Watkins in London.
FLF seems to be really taking off. Can you talk more about the organization and some cool projects you’ve done with them?
FLF is dedicated to advancing feminist discussion, lawyering, and awareness at the Law School. Already this fall, we held a fundraiser for a local reproductive justice organization, organized a joint response to sexual assault allegations against Justice Kavanaugh, and co-sponsored events with over a half-dozen student organizations. We’re also really proud of our revamped weekly emails and have received lovely feedback. Reach out to myself or my co-chair, Eliza Schultz ’21, to get on the list! We have a few themed potlucks coming up this November (open to anyone in the Law School community) and plan to host a feminist lawyering workshop and book club this spring.
Now, time for some more fun ones:
What is your favorite thing about Minnesota?
I’m so glad you asked! Minnesotans, but the lakes are a close second.
What is your favorite word?
If I had to pick? Coven.
If you could meet one celebrity, who would it be and why?
Queen Elizabeth II, so I could bring my mom and fulfill her lifelong dream of meeting royalty.
Backstreet boys or *NYSYNC?
Neither, sorry! For a variety of reasons, I basically missed all pop culture of the late 1990s/early 2000s. I actually just learned after Googling this question that “Bye Bye Bye” and “I Want It That Way” are not by the same group. My bad.
Favorite fall activity?
Talking about foliage ad nauseum.
What are your seven wonders of the Law School?
In no particular order:
1. The big trees out front, especially this time of year.
2. Public service community.
3. Cow painting in Withers-Brown. It reminds me of home!
4. Every single outdoor study space.
5. Fruit snacks from Student Affairs.
6. Gambini Study Room. The natural light is amazing.
7. The people, of course!
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jmz2da@virginia.edu