JD Student Spotlight - Caitlin Anderson

What inspired you to pursue a legal career, and how has your journey led you to Seton Hall Law?

Ever since I was little, I have wanted to be a lawyer. I grew up watching crime shows, and although I know those shows aren’t entirely accurate, they piqued my interest in the criminal justice system. In high school, I was in my school’s law and politics program, where we did mock trials. We even had a fake courtroom in our school, which made the mock trials feel more real, and I really enjoyed participating in them. This furthered my interest in becoming a lawyer.

In college, I was a criminal justice major, and after diving deeper into the injustices in our system, it really made me want to pursue a career in the legal field to help people in need. This journey led me to Seton Hall because I felt like I could accomplish my goals here. I knew I wanted to stay home and commute to school, and of the schools I visited, I connected with Seton Hall the most. The atmosphere and people at Seton Hall are amazing, and I thought it would be the perfect place to pursue my education.

How did your summer judicial internship with The Honorable Stacey D. Adams shape your perspective on the law?

My summer internship with The Honorable Stacey D. Adams was an amazing experience. I feel so lucky to have interned with such an inspiring judge. This internship shaped my perspective on the law because I was able to observe real cases in federal court. It is very different reading about cases in a textbook or learning about rules in class compared to seeing them in action in person. I felt more connected to the cases because I watched the pretrial proceedings and heard the stories of some of the defendants. This internship furthered my excitement about becoming a lawyer.

You have an upcoming role with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP — what are you most excited to learn or experience there?

I am really excited to intern at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP next summer. When I visited the firm, the people there were really sweet, so I am excited to meet and work with everyone. Learning from associates and partners who all come from different backgrounds will help shape my perspective and help me become a better lawyer. One thing I am most excited about is interning in different practice areas throughout the summer. I think it will be really cool and beneficial to learn about the different practice groups and experience them to figure out which one I fit best in.

Your December judicial internship with The Honorable Patty Shwartz is an incredible opportunity — how did you prepare for it, and what do you hope to gain?

I am also really excited to be working with The Honorable Patty Shwartz this winter and spring. Judge Shwartz’s career is so inspiring, and I cannot wait to learn from her. I think my summer internship helped prepare me because I was able to see how work is done in a judge’s chambers and learned a lot about the court system. While I know every judge may run chambers a little differently and the court process will be different because Judge Shwartz is a judge on the Third Circuit, this is something I am really looking forward to experiencing.

I hope to gain insight into how circuit judges decide cases and write opinions. I was able to observe court proceedings with a magistrate judge, so I am excited to see the similarities and differences at the Third Circuit level.

How did your time with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation influence your personal and professional values?

My summer with the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation was incredible. Being part of an organization that helps so many people was truly an amazing experience. During that summer, I had the opportunity to communicate with widows of first responders and be part of the team that helped them during a very difficult time. This made me want to help people as a lawyer even more, because it was heartwarming to be able to positively impact people’s lives. I want to make a difference for others in a positive way, just like I did that summer.

What strategies or habits have helped you succeed academically?

At the beginning of the fall semester last year, I struggled a lot with imposter syndrome—feeling like I didn’t belong and constantly comparing myself to others. One thing that helped me throughout the semester was stopping those comparisons and going at my own pace. I got into a routine that worked well for me, and I stuck to it.

It was also really helpful to have a great support system. My family, friends, and mentors helped me learn how to balance my school and social life so I didn’t feel like I was drowning in work. It was important to me to set a time every night to stop doing schoolwork and actually stick to it so I could be well-rested and prepared for the next day.

You’ve balanced athletics, academics, and internships — what lessons from NCAA lacrosse have carried over into law school?

The biggest thing I learned from NCAA lacrosse was how to adapt to new situations. I had played softball my entire life, but due to a shoulder injury, I was unable to play in college. I started playing lacrosse for the first time in college, which was a huge adjustment for me. I had to learn the rules and keep up with people who had been playing for most of their lives.

This experience helped me a lot when starting law school, because law school was also a completely new experience for me. Going to school with people who had family members who were lawyers made me feel behind, just like I did in lacrosse, but working through that challenge in lacrosse helped me work through the challenge of starting law school.

I also learned how to manage my time better in college. Between classes, internships, and lacrosse, I was very busy, but I learned how to manage my time properly to get everything done while still making time to relax and spend time with friends. This was very helpful when starting law school, because I already knew how important it was to make time for myself and for the people I care about.

What advice would you give to incoming law students, especially those who are the first in their family to pursue this path?

I would tell incoming law students, especially first-generation law students, that it is okay to feel overwhelmed and not know everything. This is very normal, and many people feel this way, even if they don’t show it. You are going to learn how to manage everything throughout your time in school. Don’t compare yourself to others, because you are the person who knows best how you study and learn. What works for someone else might not work for you, and that’s okay.

Who has been a mentor or source of inspiration for you during your academic or professional journey?

There have been many people who have been mentors and sources of inspiration throughout my journey. Outside of school, my parents have been huge sources of inspiration. They have sacrificed so much to help me get to where I am, and I am so grateful for them. They have inspired me to do my best and follow my dreams.

The upper-class students I have talked to have also been great mentors. They have helped me with study tips, supported me through my anxiety, and walked me through the steps of applying for internships. My friends have also inspired me, because seeing how hard they work every day encourages me to do better. I truly would not have made it through without the support of my friends and family.

Outside of law, what passions or hobbies keep you grounded and bring you joy?

Outside of school, I really enjoy spending time with my friends, my family, and my dogs. Being around people who support me unconditionally brings me so much joy. I also enjoy watching movies, especially Marvel and Harry Potter films. During the summer, I like playing pickleball and coaching softball with my dad. Doing these things helps take my mind off the stress of school and brings me a lot of happiness.