Committed to Service Olivia Scheidt ‘25L discusses her experience as a student attorney in the Community Legal Practice Center.

By Law Communications
February 11, 2025

Olivia Scheidt ‘25L is from Alexandria, Virginia. She attended the University of Virginia, where she received a B.A. with Honors in Foreign Affairs and Music. After college, she worked as the Communications Director for Virginia State Delegate Dan Helmer. At W&L, Olivia is on Law Review, the Dean’s Student Advisory Council, and serves as the Vice President of Advocacy for if/when/how. Outside of law school, Olivia enjoys playing the violin, horseback riding, and running.

Why did you choose to participate in the CLPC for your 3L year?

I chose to participate in the Community Legal Practice Center (CLPC) because I wanted to help low-income members of our community navigate the legal system. I am very committed to public service. Prior to entering law school, I worked for Virginia State Delegate Dan Helmer, where I spent time helping his constituents access available County, State, and Federal services. Since then, I have continued my public service as a judicial intern for a federal judge and as an intern in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. With so much of my work experience committed to public service, I wanted to continue that service by helping our Rockbridge County community.

What classes have prepared you to work in the Community Legal Practice Clinic (CLPC)?

Legal Writing, Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Property, Professional Responsibility, and the Negotiations and Conflict Resolution Practicum have all been very helpful.

Describe your schedule with the CLPC.

I have office hours twice a week, where I complete initial inquiries and answer the phone. If time permits, I also work on my cases. Once a week, I meet with Professor Beth Belmont to discuss the status of my cases. Those meetings are essential to my success. She provides incredibly helpful advice, including strategies for me to consider. She also will suggest research avenues for me to pursue. She has provided invaluable advice about how best to communicate with opposing counsel and with clients. In addition to office hours and weekly meetings with Professor Belmont, I also hold meetings with clients. I have drafted guardianship petitions and correspondence to opposing counsel, clients, and other parties to my cases. Thus far, I have worked on cases involving guardianship, nonprofit organizations, estate matters, property matters, and will disputes. It is likely that I will participate in a hearing on behalf of the CLPC.

What are some skills you have developed this year?

The CLPC has been invaluable in helping me improve my legal skills. These cases, these clients are my responsibility. I take that responsibility seriously and have gotten better at managing that responsibility. I have also gotten better at figuring out what options would be advantageous for my clients. My ability to effectively deal with opposing counsel and conduct legal research has improved. I’ve learned how to communicate with my clients to avoid misunderstandings and have become a better advocate for my clients as well. But, most of all, through my clinic work, I have a better idea of what it means to be a lawyer.

What has surprised you about the work you have done for the Clinic?

It is incredibly empowering and fulfilling to achieve beneficial outcomes for my clients.

What has been your favorite aspect of your work with the Clinic?

My favorite aspect of working in the CLPC has been developing relationships with my clients and becoming more familiar with areas of law that I had less exposure to – for instance, family law.

What has been your biggest challenge working in the Clinic?

I find the CLPC challenging every single day. It is challenging to balance (and recall) multiple cases. It can be challenging to tackle thorny legal issues and work with experienced opposing counsel. It can be challenging to meet each client where they are. Those challenges are offset, however, by how amazingly rewarding it can be to help my clients achieve beneficial outcomes.

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

I will be clerking for the Honorable John M. Tran of the Fairfax Circuit Court after graduation. My CLPC experience will benefit me in many ways, as it will enable me to better balance Judge Tran’s caseload, to communicate clearly and effectively with Judge Tran and counsel about cases, and to conduct efficient, targeted legal research.