Wellness with Wendy

LAW CLERK SPOTLIGHT By Michael Barranco & Tracee Fruman

Fiona Puglese is currently serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Michael Finifter. Ms. Puglese, a die-hard Ravens fan, was born in Baltimore, but was raised in Fallston. After attending Fallston High School, Ms. Puglese graduated from the University of Maryland College Park, where she majored in government and politics and minored in U.S. history. Ms. Puglese graduated from college in December 2016, but before starting law school, she decided to pursue her lifelong dream of working at the Happiest Place on Earth: Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Ms. Puglese spent six months working in the Magic Kingdom at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café as a server. Ms. Puglese attended the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where she served on the Maryland Law Review, the Moot Court Board, and the National Trial Team. In fact, Ms. Puglese was a member of the trial team that won the Drexel Battle of the Experts Trial Team Competition in the fall of 2019. Her experience on the trial team was especially memorable because it was a medical malpractice case involving actual medical personnel. “It was as close to a real medical malpractice case as you can get,” said Ms. Puglese. Although she already had an interest in medical malpractice work, her experience on the trial team solidified her desire to pursue that area of law after her clerkship. Ms. Puglese always knew that she wanted to be a circuit court law clerk because of her love of trial advocacy. “I was able to see a jury trial last week, which was really amazing. I didn’t think I’d get to see it because of COVID.” A self-described “COVID clerk,” Ms. Puglese and her fellow law clerks and courthouse staff have had to be flexible as they navigated the realities of working during a pandemic. Ms. Puglese said, “pre-vaccine it was very scary to have to go to work and be worried about getting sick and possibly getting my friends and family sick, [but] everyone in the courthouse was so flexible and communicative. It was great to see everyone come together.” Despite the challenges of clerking during a pandemic, Ms. Puglese has truly enjoyed being Judge Finifter’s law clerk. Judge Finifter has helped her improve her writing and Ms. Puglese said, “I can call and talk to him anytime, about anything.” When asked about her favorite part about clerking, Ms. Puglese said, “Just working with Judge Finifter has been an absolute pleasure.” After her clerkship, Ms. Puglese will be joining the law firm of Baxter, Baker, Sidle, Conn & Jones, where she spent her 2L summer. Outside of work, you can find Ms. Puglese at her home away from home, M&T Bank Stadium, where she attends all of the Baltimore Ravens home games. You might even spot her at one of the away games! Ms. Puglese also enjoys checking out Baltimore’s restaurant scene.