Experience Spotlight: Hazel Fernandez ‘26L Hazel Fernandez learned what kind of lawyer she wants to become during her externship with the Virginia Court of Appeals.

Hazel Fernandez ’26L

Hazel Fernandez ‘26L is from Florida. She attended the University of South Florida, where she received a B.A in political science and a B.A. in history. At W&L, she is an Executive Editor on the Law Review and co-President of the Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA).  

Why did you choose to work at the Court of Appeals of Virginia for your externship?

I knew coming into law school that my strengths were in research and writing. I was first introduced to appellate work in my 1L Legal Writing class, when we had to write an appellate brief and deliver oral arguments. Before that, I had not given much thought to what appellate lawyers actually do, but the experience clicked immediately. I enjoyed the process of working backward through a trial court’s reasoning and the challenge of seeing how pieces of the record and the law fit together. Participating in the Moot Court competition during my 2L fall made me realize that the deep, sustained legal analysis that appellate work demands is what I find most intellectually satisfying. So, when I learned about the Judicial Externship Program and the opportunity to work in an appellate chamber, I knew it was exactly the experience I needed to round out my law school journey.

How did you secure this externship?

I applied to join the judicial externship program in the spring of my 2L year. As part of that process, I indicated a strong interest in appellate work. I was fortunate to be placed with Judge Friedman on the Court of Appeals of Virginia.

Describe your work experience and daily schedule.

The Court of Appeals has a heavy docket, so there is never a lack of work. I typically travel to Roanoke once or twice a week. On those days, my work centers on research and writing. I might be researching an issue the judge or clerks have flagged, drafting bench memos, editing a clerk’s draft opinion, or working on a draft opinion of my own. I have had the opportunity to work on different cases, which keeps the work fun and never feels repetitive. Once or twice a month, I sit on bench memo meetings where the clerks present and discuss the cases with Judge Friedman before the panel heads into oral argument. Those meetings are among the most valuable parts of the experience. I get to hear the clerks discuss complex legal issues and see how the judge thinks through them in real time.

What are some skills you developed?

One of the biggest skills I developed was becoming a more disciplined and precise writer. Editing the clerks’ work, the judge’s work, and my own taught me how to read drafts much more critically and pay closer attention to clarity, structure, and detail. I also have become more comfortable working through difficult legal issues independently and then refining my analysis through feedback and collaboration.

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

I expected a lot of the externship to be independent research and writing, which it is, but I did not realize how much discussion and coordination also goes into the process. It was interesting to see how the clerks and Judge Friedman work together to think through difficult issues, and that collaborative side of being in chambers really stood out to me.

What was your favorite aspect of your experience?

My favorite part of the experience was getting to see appellate decision-making up close. I especially enjoyed the bench memo meetings, where I could watch the clerks and Judge Friedman work through cases together. I also appreciated the variety of the cases and opportunity to contribute to the work.

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

Yes, it has. This experience really affirmed that litigation is the right path for me. I’ve always enjoyed research and writing, but working in chambers helped me see how much I also enjoy the process of digging into a legal issue, working through the record, and helping shape the court’s analysis. More than anything, it left me with a stronger sense of the kind of lawyer I want to become.