The Appellate Project

A Day at the Seventh Circuit: TAP Alumni Witness the Power of Representation — The Appellate Project TAP shares reflections from two alumni who attended our recent Seventh Circuit event.

Learn more about TAP's Seventh Circuit visit: theappellateproject.org/news-and-voi...

Maya's perspective speaks to why diversifying appellate practice matters: when practitioners from varied backgrounds engage with appellate work, they bring awareness of how legal interpretations ripple through the communities most affected by them.

Observing the court reinforced why she's committed to this work, because appellate decisions don't just resolve individual cases, they set precedent that shape how law affects entire communities.

During TAP's recent Seventh Circuit visit, Maya witnessed how that potential for impact plays out in practice.

A graphic with a quote on a textured blue background that reads: “Appellate work represents an opportunity to effect meaningful change on as large a scale as possible, which can be extraordinarily beneficial, especially for marginalized communities.” — Maya Stevenson, Appellate Counsel at the Center for Appellate Litigation. Below the quote is a courtroom scene. Four judges sit behind a long, ornate wooden bench with carved panels, each with papers and laptops in front of them. In the foreground, a person stands at a podium addressing the bench, with several empty wooden chairs and patterned carpeting visible behind them. The organization’s logo appears in the lower right corner.

For Maya Stevenson, appellate counsel at the Center for Appellate Litigation, the draw to appellate law was clear from the start: it's where her love of reading, writing, and helping others converged with the opportunity to create change at scale.

A Day at the Seventh Circuit: TAP Alumni Witness the Power of Representation — The Appellate Project TAP shares reflections from two alumni who attended our recent Seventh Circuit event.

Learn more about TAP's Seventh Circuit visit and the power of visibility for diverse communities in the appellate field: theappellateproject.org/news-and-voi...

When you see judges, staff attorneys, and clerks who reflect diverse experiences and perspectives, it validates your presence and expands your sense of what's achievable in the field.

A quote graphic with a similar style to the previous one. Text reads: “My background and lived experiences, in conjunction with my skills, bring an irreplicable layer of depth to the way I approach legal issues.” – Berenis Ibarra López, Law Clerk at the Western District of Texas.

For early career practitioners from underrepresented backgrounds, that visibility matters in ways that can't be overstated.

A quote graphic with a professional, clean layout. Text reads: “Beyond any skills, it can be easy to think that appellate practitioners must fit into a mold, one I can never fill. What makes me different is what makes my voice valuable to appellate spaces.” – Berenis Ibarra López, Law Clerk at the Western District of Texas.

During TAP's Seventh Circuit visit, Berenis Ibarra López saw proof that diverse voices are shaping appellate law at every level.

A Day at the Seventh Circuit: TAP Alumni Witness the Power of Representation — The Appellate Project TAP shares reflections from two alumni who attended our recent Seventh Circuit event.

Read more about what Berenis and Maya learned from TAP’s day at the Seventh Circuit: theappellateproject.org/news-and-voi...

A graphic with a light blue background. The text reads: “On seeing appellate practice in action: ‘A particularly meaningful moment was seeing different advocacy styles during oral arguments. The different levels of skill both inspired me to strive for the best and reinforced my sense of what is true: I, too, am capable of being an appellate lawyer.’ — Law Clerk at the Western District of Texas.” Below the text is a professional headshot of a woman in business attire, outlined with a red drop-shadow effect.

Visits like these matter because they demystify the path forward. They show early career practitioners that there's room for their voices in appellate law, especially when you have a supportive community showing you the way.

A split graphic with a light blue background on the left and a graduation ceremony photo on the right. The text on the left reads: “On the best advice they received: ‘Your career development is never complete and you do have time to learn more, accomplish more, and even, be more. I think for early attorneys, it can be tempting to think that these early years define who we’re going to be in our careers, so everything feels that much heavier. I heard from several people that that couldn’t be further from the truth, and that one day I would even look upon these days fondly. For me, hearing those sentiments was especially encouraging.’ — Appellate Counsel at the Center for Appellate Litigation.” On the right is a close-up of a graduate wearing a black graduation cap and gown, looking upward, with a red and multicolored graduation stole.

For participants like Berenis Ibarra López and Maya Stevenson, the experience went beyond procedural insight. Watching different advocacy styles, seeing representation across the court, and hearing from judges offered something textbooks can't: tangible proof of what's possible in appellate practice

A graphic with a light blue background. At the top is The Appellate Project logo. The headline text reads: “What 2 TAP Alumni Say About Their Experience Visiting the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.” Below the text are two professional headshots of women wearing business attire. Each woman is outlined with a red drop-shadow effect.

TAP alumni spent a day inside the Seventh Circuit observing oral arguments, meeting with judges and staff, and witnessing firsthand how appellate decisions take shape.

A Day at the Seventh Circuit: TAP Alumni Witness the Power of Representation — The Appellate Project TAP shares reflections from two alumni who attended our recent Seventh Circuit event.

theappellateproject.org/news-and-voi...

Her approach reflects a broader truth about building a career in appellate law: intentionality matters, but so does flexibility. The willingness to seize opportunities, even when they're outside your original plan, often leads to the most meaningful experiences.

During TAP's recent Seventh Circuit visit, that same willingness to embrace new experiences led Maya to Chicago, where she witnessed representation across the court and gained insights into judicial decision-making.

A group of eight professionally dressed people stand side by side in an office, smiling at the camera. Framed diplomas and artwork hang on the wall behind them above a red couch. Below the photo, a maroon banner features a quote in white text that reads: “Some of the best life advice I ever received was to just keep saying yes, whether that’s to opportunities, experiences, or anything else. You never know where your yes can take you.” — Maya Stevenson, Appellate Counsel at the Center for Appellate Litigation.

For Maya Stevenson, appellate counsel at the Center for Appellate Litigation, her path to appellate law wasn't defined by a single moment; it was shaped by consistently saying yes to opportunities as they appeared.

A Day at the Seventh Circuit: TAP Alumni Witness the Power of Representation — The Appellate Project TAP shares reflections from two alumni who attended our recent Seventh Circuit event.

Read more about TAP's Seventh Circuit visit and why witnessing diverse courts matters: theappellateproject.org/news-and-voi...

When appellate practitioners bring different lived experiences to their work, they bring depth that strengthens legal analysis and builds public trust in the courts.

During TAP's recent Seventh Circuit visit, Berenis Ibarra López, law clerk at the Western District of Texas, witnessed this principle in action. Her reflection cuts to the heart of why diverse backgrounds matter at every level of the judiciary.

Berenis Ibarra López, a woman with long dark hair, wearing a navy blue suit and a tan blouse, smiles confidently against a textured coral background. Next to her, large white text reads: “Diverse perspectives are necessary so that the most vulnerable communities do not continue to bear undue burden simply because they don’t have a seat at the table.” Below, smaller italicized text reads: “Berenis Ibarra López, Law Clerk at the Western District of Texas.” The logo of The Appellate Project, a white column inside a circle, appears in the upper right corner.

Representation in appellate spaces isn't an abstract ideal. It can have real consequences for how law affects communities.

Learn more about the power of clerkships, including those as state courts, here: theappellateproject.org/appellate-sy...

TRUTH: Top law firms and federal judges value strong state clerkship experience, especially at the appellate or supreme court level. 

It's a stepping stone, not a dead-end.

As we continue to demystify common myths around state court clerkships, we tackle Myth #3: "A state court clerkship won’t help if you aspire to work in Big Law or the federal bench."

Graphic titled “State Court Clerkship Myths Debunked.” Under a red box labeled “Myth #3,” the text reads: “A state court clerkship won’t help you get into Big Law or a federal clerkship.” Below, a blue box labeled “Truth” reads: “Top firms and federal judges highly value strong state clerkship experience—it’s a proven stepping stone to elite legal careers.” At the bottom is The Appellate Project logo on a light blue background.

A state court clerkship can be a powerful stepping stone towards diverse, high-level legal careers.

As a clerk, you're often deeply involved in drafting memos and proposed opinions on these challenging matters that directly impact people's lives.

Ready for a substantive challenge? Discover the intellectual rigor of state court clerkships on our blog: lnkd.in/gRc4KesY

MYTH: "State court work is less intellectually rigorous and impactful."

TRUTH: State courts frequently decide nuanced, first-impression issues involving constitutional rights, family law, criminal justice, property disputes, and more – often setting vital precedent.

Graphic titled “State Court Clerkship Myths Debunked.” Below, a red box labeled “Myth #2” reads: “State court work is less impactful.” Beneath it, a blue box labeled “Truth” states: “State courts tackle complex, first-of-their-kind legal questions that shape constitutional rights, family law, criminal justice, and more.” The background is light blue with The Appellate Project logo at the bottom.

State court clerkships involve deeply engaging work on critical legal questions.

Today in our series debunking state court clerkship myths, we’re addressing another common myth about state court clerkships:

Don't underestimate the power and prestige of state court experience. Read more about the clerkship process: theappellateproject.org/appellate-sy...

They provide a strong foundation for diverse legal careers – including roles in state/federal courts, academia, and top firms – and can be more accessible pathways, especially for first-gen and underrepresented students.