Georgia County Internship Spotlight
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Samantha Masters and Keagan Galbraith Intern with Fayette County
Law school students Samantha Masters and Keagan Galbraith interned with Fayette County State Court. Masters, a Georgia State University School of Law student, and Galbraith, a Baylor Law School student, worked independently and collaboratively to support the work of the Court.
Prior to the internship, both Masters and Galbraith had limited experience with county government operations and the courts. However, they learned throughout the internship precisely how local government and the judicial system intersect and their impact on the community. LeeAnne Strohmann, the Fayette County State Court Staff Attorney, supervised Masters and Galbraith and was impressed with the determination and confidence they brought to their work.
Galbraith’s major responsibilities included reviewing the most recent opinions from the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court. In his review, he analyzed cases and reported on changes to laws. As the laws in Georgia are constantly fine-tuned, his work was critical to keeping the Court up to date. Galbraith also helped draft judicial orders. He considers the successful drafting of orders to be one of his most significant accomplishments, as it will help resolve long-standing cases.
Masters assisted with various civil and criminal cases. She completed extensive legal research to help Judge Jason B. Thompson issue orders on pending legal matters. Masters’ work was especially necessary to clear the backlog of cases that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. She also had the opportunity to observe court pleadings and hearings.
Strohmann assigned both Masters and Galbraith cases to handle from start to finish. They reviewed case files, researched applicable law, and drafted their own opinions for the Court. Strohmann stated that some of the cases they worked on are still ongoing in the Court and that their work will continue to help the citizens of Fayette. "Every court order has a substantial impact on a case and the parties involved," Strohmann said, "each order the interns wrote impacted that case in a significant way, bringing it one step closer to a resolution."
Masters and Galbraith both said that their favorite part of the internship was working with the attorneys and judges in State Court. They are also grateful for the opportunity to learn the inner workings of the judicial system and build skills in the workplace. Masters noted that she developed many skills, including how "legal proceedings function in a real context rather than in a textbook…these are not only helpful, but they are entirely necessary for me as I go forward in my career." Both students remarked that they are strongly considering a career in county government and public service in the future.
