Campbell Law Spotlight: William ‘Nick’ Green ’25

William “Nick” Green ’25 is a third-year student at Campbell Law School. Prior to law school, his experience included working as a paralegal at Cranfill Sumner LLP. While in law school, he has had an internship with Duke Energy and an externships with Advance Auto Parts and the North Carolina Utilities Commission. Green says he believe that participating in externships is key to understanding the legal field.

Q: Can you tell us about your background and how it influenced your career path?

A: My dad is a trusts and estates attorney, so I grew up around the practice of law, finding it intellectually stimulating and a great way to assist people. When I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) for undergraduate studies, I knew I eventually wanted to pursue a law degree. During my time at UNC, I studied political science and communications.

Q: Can you describe your work experiences between undergrad and law school?

A: I spent one year in tech sales and then two years as a paralegal at Cranfill Sumner LLP before starting law school. My time at Cranfill Sumner affirmed my desire to continue in the legal field, and the excellent mentorship I received provided me with valuable exposure to the legal process. My pre-law schoolwork experience was beneficial once I started school as it helped me in job applications and prepared me for the challenges inherent in a legal career.

Q: What was your experience like interning at Duke Energy?

A: I interned with Duke Energy in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the summer after my 1L year. I primarily worked with the regulatory team, where I was exposed to utility law, which regulates the rates utilities charge and their administration. This area of law involves significant engineering input for project planning and pricing, which presents a steep learning curve. However, this hands-on experience allowed me to dive into learning more. I appreciate that this sector combines regulatory aspects with a direct impact on consumers.

Q: What was your biggest takeaway from your time at Duke Energy?

A: While I had enjoyed my first-year writing courses, I didn’t fully grasp their importance until my summer at Duke Energy. Drafting briefs with the regulatory team reinforced the significance of strong writing skills, essential for advocating for clients effectively.

Q: What was your experience like at Advance Auto Parts, working with the in-house legal team, managing an externship and school and engaging in various projects?

A: It was a fantastic experience! I had the opportunity to work closely with Advance Auto Parts’ in-house legal team, focusing on risk management and continuing to learn various areas of the law. I enjoyed gaining practical knowledge and spending time with the attorneys. Throughout my time there, I worked on diverse projects spanning employment, privacy, and contracts. One notable project involved researching and preparing for new privacy laws regarding employee records. Additionally, the company’s open-door policy allowed me to explore different career tracks with my supervisors. Having previously worked in tech sales, I found it fascinating to observe the legal side of business operations.

Q: How did you manage an externship, school and your other commitments?

A: While challenging at times, I believe that the need for efficiency helped me maintain my schedule. My experience at Advance Auto Parts provided real-world applications for the principles I was learning in school. Enjoying this externship as much as I did motivated me to work even harder in school, ensuring I am fully prepared to transition into the workforce after graduation.

Q: Can you describe your position at the Utilities Commission?

A: My experience at the Utilities Commission has been excellent! Following my enjoyable time with Duke Energy’s regulatory team, I chose to delve deeper into utility law and explore the governmental perspective. Most of my projects involve working on the front end of Commission Orders, summarizing comments from interested parties. These comments inform the commission’s decisions, and they are integrated into the Commission’s final orders to clarify their purpose. Through this work, I gained insight into the dynamic process of legal advocacy within the regulatory framework.

Q: What is your best advice to students beginning their law school career?

A: I believe that participating in externships is key to understanding the legal field. Externships provide valuable real-world work experience while also teaching students how to balance a job and school.