Miles Robinson, a 2018 graduate of the University of Houston Law Center.
Feb. 18, 2019 — When Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Brown '95 was a scheduled guest speaker at the University of Houston Law Center in October 2016, Miles Robinson took it as a networking opportunity.
Robinson, a 2L student at the time, asked Clinical Assistant Professor Susan Rachlin '81, who was coordinating Brown's visit, what he could do to help. Rachlin told Robinson he could assist by taking Brown from place to place on the day of his lecture.
Robinson, now a 2018 Law Center alumnus, was sure to mention this when applying for clerkships with every justice in the Texas Supreme Court.
"I knew that Justice Brown was a Law Center alum, and in my cover letter I wrote that it was nice to meet him this past year, and that I'd love to work with him some more on the court," he said.
A day or so later, Robinson received an email from Brown's chambers asking if he could come to Austin in a week for an interview, and was offered the clerkship shortly after.
"I was very excited about it," Robinson said. "It was that reaching out and being proactive about finding opportunities to meet judges and make an impression."
After participating in moot court competitions during his 1L year, Robinson set his focus on pursuing a legal career in litigation. He said clerking has helped provide him with a behind the scenes look into how judges make decisions.
"It's been invaluable experience," Robinson said. "As someone who potentially wants to argue in front of the Texas Supreme Court, it's been great to read and hear a lot of good briefs and strong arguments from attorneys.
"It's really helpful to get to see the background of law, to work with a judge and to figure out what judges find persuasive or not persuasive."
Robinson's clerkship with Brown began in September of 2018 and will end on Aug. 16, 2019. Following the clerkship, Robinson will return to Houston to begin working as an associate in the litigation section at Norton Rose Fulbright.
"Houston is a great legal market, and I'm looking forward to going back to Houston and being a part of the Houston legal community," Robinson said.
