JD Student Spotlight - Georgia Macedo Cardoso

What clinic will you be participating in at the Center for Social Justice? What are you looking forward to the most? 
This Fall, I will be participating in the Immigrants’ Rights/International Human Rights clinic. As an immigrant myself, I am looking forward to developing my skills as an aspiring attorney and, above all, to give back to my community through legal representation. 

Tell us about your experience as a Summer Associate at Riker Danzig LLP. What assignments did you work on? Tell us how you got this summer internship. What was the interview process like?
My experience at Riker Danzig was outstanding, to say the least. I worked on various areas of the law, and got to witness court proceedings, write internal office memos on different issues, and network with extremely experienced attorneys in New Jersey. The interview process brought nerves and anxiety at first, but in the end, I believe I and everyone ended up where we belonged! I also believe engaging in OCI, as opposed to applying on my own, made the process easier to manage and less stressful overall due to the guidance and support I received from the OCS staff. 

Last summer and Fall 2023, you were a judicial intern for two federal judges. Tell us about these experiences. What types of cases did you work on? What assignments were you given? 
I had the most joyful experience working for the federal court. The clerks and judges are beyond experienced, pleasant to work with, and taught me many invaluable lessons throughout my internships. I worked mostly on criminal cases, drafting opinions and conducting research on various pretrial matters like motions in limine and motions to suppress. 

What did you enjoy most about being a research assistant for Professor Lori Nessel? Why did you decide to gain different experiences such as participating in a clinic, working as a research assistant, participating in judicial internships, and being a Summer Associate at a law firm? 
Working for Professor Nessel was an immense pleasure! For the most part, I conducted research on the illegitimate use of fraud and coercion in U.S. immigration policies, specifically the way in which ICE relies upon fraud and coercion to carry out its immigration enforcement actions, both within the interior and at the southern border. What I enjoyed the most about this work experience was all the knowledge I gained in immigration law—an area I had previously never worked in. I had such a positive experience that it led me to apply to work at the immigration clinic, where I currently work. As a student, I always strive to learn new things, which is the reason why I branched out to other legal experiences throughout my law school journey. 

What challenges have you faced in law school and how did you overcome them? 
My biggest challenge since starting law school has been how to create a work-life balance and how to not be overwhelmed by the workload that the law school experience invariably brings. I overcame this challenge by setting boundaries with myself and making sure to respect them. 

What advice would you give to a 1L student? 
My greatest advice to a 1L student is to not doubt your capabilities. Many, like me, are first generation law students, a role that brings a lot of fear and insecurities. However, I am thankful for all the support I received and the people who believed in me. In the end, it is really all about the work you put in and the sacrifices you make, regardless of where you come from. 

Tell us about your experience being on the Seton Hall Law Review. 
I enjoy being on Law Review a lot! It is a great opportunity to meet new people and to work on Bluebook-ing skills, which have been extremely helpful in every position I have held ever since starting law school. 

What are your post-graduation plans? What practice areas are you interested in? 
Upon graduating from SHL this Spring, I will be returning to Riker Danzig as an Associate in the Fall. Although I do not yet know what area I have been assigned, I am greatly interested in commercial litigation. 

How has the Office of Career Services been beneficial to you? 
As a first-generation law student, I had no one to look up to professionally. I did not have someone to guide me through the scary and overwhelming process of applying for jobs. This is the role OCS had in my legal career development. From guiding me throughout the application process, to providing me with the most caring advice and comforting words, I cannot overstate how much OCS has helped me strive for greatness.