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Shayna Goldblatt, a member of the University of Houston Law Center Class of 2017.
July 28, 2021 – Following stints as a law firm associate and a term law clerk in multiple U.S. District Courts, Shayna Goldblatt, a 2017 graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, is currently thriving as a clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
The Hon. L. Steven Grasz praised Goldblatt’s work stating, “Clerking at the appellate level is challenging and it demands the highest level of analytical ability and writing skill. Shayna’s work demonstrates that she was well prepared for this challenge.”
“I feel really lucky to have this clerkship,” Goldblatt said. about her opportunity with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
She came to the circuit clerkship after working as litigation associate for Baker Botts and as a term clerk for the Hon. Gray H. Miller ’78, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas. Goldblatt had several experiences working with the judiciary as a student as well. She previously worked as an intern for Miller, Hon. Melinda Harmon for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and Hon. Jennifer Walker Elrod for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
“Those experiences helped prepare me for my circuit clerkship as I gained familiarity with the types of motions and rulings that appellate courts review,” Goldblatt said.
Following the clerkship, she expects to join Yetter Coleman’s appellate practice, and her experience in a judge’s chambers is an invaluable part of that journey.
“Besides the incredible mentors and professional relationships, these clerking experiences have been really informative to see how advocates persuade judges, and at the appellate level, how judges persuade one another,” Goldblatt said.
“I still have a lot to learn here but so far, credibility seems key, and by that, I mean the ability to support arguments and make strategic concessions when possible.”
Goldblatt has earned plenty of credibility for herself in the early years of her law career. During her time at the Law Center, Goldblatt was Articles Editor for the Houston Law Review and won a Norton Rose Fulbright Award for Outstanding Line Editing. She also served as a mentor in the Legal Writing Center helping students develop their own writing skills.
Goldblatt’s dedication to advancing her skills began before law school. As an undergraduate, she studied abroad in Israel and learned to dive in the Red Sea in her free time. She eventually advanced to rescue diver.
“Rescue diving makes it safer to dive with others. I like knowing I could assist another diver in distress,” she explained.
What drew Goldblatt to the law was the intellectual challenge. She enjoys the logic and persuasion required to craft a winning argument, and she is taking every opportunity to develop that skill set.
Goldblatt regards the Law Center as the cornerstone of her professional success. She encourages others to pursue clerkships, as a Law Center education provides a strong foundation and preparation for the experience.
“The professors, faculty, and staff really invest in the students,” Goldblatt said. “So many faculty members took an interest in helping me pursue my dreams of getting trial and circuit clerkships.
“I’m so grateful. I was very well prepared for my clerkships and practice by the resources the law school provides.”
