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Craig Robinson: President of the Trial Advocacy Club at Villanova University College of Law, Villanova, PA [By Heather Jung] Last summer Craig Robinson had the unique opportunity to work as an intern at the Department of Homeland Security. Robinson, a 2L at Villanova University College of Law, found the job through a posting on the Villanova database. While he was offered the job in March, he did not start until July because he had to wait to receive government clearance. Since he had just completed his first year of law school when he began his internship, Robinson feels that the experience gave him more insight into law and into things he would be studying later down the road at law school.
“At first it was just trying to get a handle
many other opportunities like that out there.
Robinson’s sophomore and senior years.
on understanding the Immigration and
I really got to feel comfortable with being in
Robinson calls Schleifer his mentor and role
Nationality Act,” Robinson said. “Most of
front of a judge. The immigration court is
model.
the time I was writing a lot of memoranda,
a smaller environment than a civil court or
doing a lot of research on different cases,
criminal court. It was a good starting place
“I have always been a real people person so
responding to different motions, that sort of
for me to gain practical experience.”
I knew that I wanted to do something that involved utilizing my interpersonal skills,”
thing. It more or less developed itself, and this is the program they had set up, that I
It was during his time as an undergraduate at
would actually be getting into a courtroom
Penn State University that Robinson, whose
and doing cross-examinations. It was a
major was Supply Chain and Information
great opportunity to be exposed to many
Systems, found his first real calling to law.
different types of cases from many different
During his sophomore year, he contacted
countries.”
personal injury attorney Chuck Schleifer,
he said.
who had been Robinson’s basketball Thanks to his internship, Robinson has found
coach as a child. Schleifer gave Robinson
a field of law that he is extremely passionate
the opportunity to work for him during
about: international law. “I think immigration law and international law are very fascinating topics. I think a lot of that has to do with the importance they have today and how hot of a topic immigration law has become, especially in this country. It has really grown to be a great interest of mine,” Robinson said. The internship also provided him with courtroom experience that is difficult to obtain while still in law school. It allowed
Q. What do you like to do for fun? A. Well, I am an avid basketball player. In addition to that, being with friends is something that’s very important to me so just spending a lot of time with my friends and family. I’m also into skiing. Sports have always been a big part of my life, so I like to keep it that way and stay in shape. Q. What CD is in your CD player right now? A. Pearl Jam. I’m not sure which one. Q. What is the last magazine you read? A. Sports Illustrated.
“I know it’s pretty tough to get an internship that involves being in a courtroom a lot, and this really gave me that opportunity,” Robinson said. “I don’t know if there are too
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studies, Robinson had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain, where he got his first real taste for international relations. Due to his combined experiences in Spain and with the Department of Homeland Security, he is definitely considering a career in international law. “After this experience at Homeland Security, I was exposed to all different aspects of immigration law-people from many different countries requesting relief for various
him to gain confidence and a sense of familiarity with the way courts run.
As a Spanish minor during his undergraduate
Q. What is your favorite TV show? A. Right now I would have to say 24. Q. Who is your role model? A. Chuck Schleifer, the attorney who I worked for.
reasons,” Robinson said. “I just really find the whole field fascinating. There’s so much to learn that really can’t be taught in a law school course, and I was exposed to a lot of that this past summer and fall, and I am still continuing to work for them this spring as
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