Asking the “Why” Mikayla Nasis '25L reflects on working in the Commonwealth Attorney's Office for Rockbridge County and the City of Lexington.

By Law Communications
February 17, 2025

Mikayla Nasis ‘25L is from San Antonio, Texas. She attended Texas A&M University, where she majored in Political Science and minored in Military Studies. At W&L, she is the Managing Editor of the German Law Journal and is involved in the Women Law Students Organization (WLSO). Mikayla lives in downtown Lexington with her fiancé and loves trying all the wineries around Lexington and popping into Downtown Books. This year Mikayla worked in the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office for Rockbridge County and the City of Lexington, particularly with the prosecutors in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and the General District Court.

How did you secure this externship?

I secured this internship through the law school to gain my hands-on learning experience. I ranked the Prosecution Externship as my top choice and was very excited to be selected for the program.

Describe your work experience and daily schedule.

Every day the work was different! I split my time between two days of the week and would spend my Mondays with the Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations court observing, sitting in on plea bargaining, and speaking with victims. On Fridays, I would try misdemeanor cases with my 3rd Year Practice Certificate under the guidance of an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney. Here, I took the lead on plea bargaining, analyzing discovery, speaking with victims, and ultimately preparing and first-chairing trials.

What are some skills you developed?

This externship taught me the importance of interpersonal skills in the practice of law. I spent extensive time working with the county’s Victim Witness Advocate to learn appropriate ways to talk to victims to gather more information or to discuss their opinions on possible plea agreement options for the defendant.

Additionally, I got to develop trial advocacy skills in a real setting. I learned how an opening statement actually looks in practice, how to prep and examine my witnesses, and how to cross examine opposing counsel’s witnesses.

What surprised you about the work you did during your externship?

I was surprised by how much decision making must be made on the fly! Often times, you can’t get in contact with witnesses, or opposing counsel doesn’t respond to your emails, so you don’t know if you are trying or settling a case until you walk into the courtroom.

What was your favorite aspect of your experience?

The people I worked with were my favorite part. This office, and in particular Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Megan Zwisohn, took great care to mentor me. They created an environment for me to feel comfortable asking the “why” of policies, laws, and customs. They understood that I had never done this before and helped me, but also pushed me when I needed it.

Has this experience helped you figure out your post graduate plans, and if so how?

I never thought that I would want to be a prosecutor, but this externship helped me discern my post graduate plans of joining the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney. I have taken all my internship opportunities in law school to try so many different career paths, but I have learned that becoming a prosecutor is the perfect fit for me as someone who wants to gain extensive trial experience and work in public service. I also believe the tangible work experience I received in my externship helped me ultimately get my post graduate job offer because it gave me so much to talk about in interviews!