Campbell Law Spotlight: Sarah Summa ’24

Sarah Summa ’24 began her academic journey studying art at Samford University, where she also minored in marketing. After graduating, she delved into the world of marketing, where she worked at an e-commerce company and gained more than four years of experience. However, despite enjoying her job, she found herself reassessing her career trajectory and questioning whether it aligned with her long-term goals.

Reflecting on her childhood aspirations and family influences, Summa realized that law school had always been on her mind. Growing up with both parents in the legal profession — her father a patent attorney with a boutique practice and her mother having served as an assistant district attorney and now working in a lobbying group — law was both familiar and lined up with her career goals. Summa continued the legacy of her parents, both Campbell Law School alumni, by attending their alma mater.

Upon completing her first year of law school, Summa spent the summer interning for the Honorable Judge Robert J. Conrad at the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. While there, Judge Conrad emphasized the importance of learning both by observing court and gaining hands-on experience. Through observation, Summa said she saw the motions and arguments that she would be able to connect to her classes throughout the rest of her legal education. She was also able to create tangible work products by drafting orders and preparing reference sheets for hearings. Throughout her time in this position, she heard from Judge Conrad’s clerks how this was the best job they had ever had. So, it was an easy “yes” when Judge Conrad asked Summa to return and clerk for him after she finished law school.

Coming back to school for her 2L fall, Summa immediately jumped in. She joined the Moot Court team and began her tasks on the Campbell Law Review. She also started working on her goal of gaining as much judicial experience as possible. Throughout her time at Campbell Law, Summa has interned on the North Carolina Court of Appeals for the Honorable Judge John Tyson ’79 and on the Supreme Court of North Carolina for the Honorable Justice Tamara Barringer. She was also able to intern at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where she worked in the Criminal Division. There, she found herself immersed in the intricacies of criminal law and she even had the opportunity to draft documents that would eventually go to the Fourth Circuit.

During her 2L summer, Summa gained her first firm experience at Alston & Bird. While there, she was on the litigation and trial practice team where she worked on a variety of cases spanning both civil and criminal law. She said she enjoyed the complexity and creativity of litigation and is excited to return to Alston & Bird as an associate after her clerkship.

Reflecting on her law school journey, Summa emphasizes the importance of hard work during the first year as grades open doors to various opportunities. Additionally, she encourages students to identify activities that align with their desired career paths early on and pursue these opportunities in order to gain the most practical experience possible.