Laura Boeckman (the o is silent) is law clerk for Judge Harvey Schlesinger of the United States District Court in the Middle District of Florida.
WHAT DOES HER JOB INVOLVE?
Serving since August, Boeckman’s main charge is research and writing for cases. Her clerkship is for two years.
BACKGROUND CHECK
While living in Ohio, Boeckman was a summer associate at Baker and Hostetler. Through an honors program with the U.S. Department of Justice, she interned during the summer 2000 in the Antitrust Division. Then, as part of her graduate legal studies, Boeckman functioned as a teaching assistant for an international student’s research and writing class. Before landing her position here, she was a legal intern at Indiana Legal Services, advocating for the indigent.
WHEN ARE YOU MOVING TO THE NEW COURTHOUSE?
“Some trials have been postponed. A lot [of who moves first] will be dictated by who needs to get in there quickly. I heard September but it depends on if everything goes according to schedule.”
WHY CLERK FOR SCHLESINGER?
“I knew I wanted to clerk for a federal district judge. I applied to several judges and this was the first one I heard from. Plus, I wanted to come to Florida.”
THE UPSIDE
“There’s a wide range of things I get to work on. I find federal stuff interesting. I get the inside scoop by working closely with the judge so it’s a great place to learn.”
THE DOWNSIDE
“I still don’t feel like I know anything. A case will come along in an area you know nothing about and you have to start from scratch.”
WHY ENTER INTO LAW?
“I went to law school because I wanted to help people, not for the prestige or the money. It makes me feel better to help someone get out of an abusive marriage or return to their home after an eviction or gain child support payments. They’re people who don’t have access to a good lawyer or know how to take advantage of the legal system.”
PART OF THE SYSTEM
“I knew I wanted to stay in the public sector, in government. I find it more rewarding. I like to work with low income clients or in the state prosecutor’s office at the federal level. I can’t decide what I’d want to do more.”
PUTTING AWAY THE BAD GUYS
“I don’t think I’d be a good public defender. I like the luxury of believing in my client’s case and I don’t know if I could set aside my own biases to represent defendants. I think it’s very exciting to be a lawyer for the United States. They do a lot of litigation and I like to be in court a lot.”
BORN
Muncie, Ind.
EDUCATION
Boeckman holds a bachelor’s degree in public affairs and a law degree from Indiana University. She also earned a double major in English and political science from Saint Mary’s College in Indiana. She teaches a first semester research and writing class at Florida Coastal School of Law.
FLAVOR OF THE ORIENT
“In between college and law school I took a year off and lived in Japan. I taught conversational English at a private school; it wasn’t strict grammar. I got to travel and experience a different culture.”
KEEPING BUSY
A Riverside resident, Boeckman is a member of the Jacksonville Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, on the board of Esprit de Corps, a judge for Teen Court, part of Big Brothers & Sisters of North Florida and is training next month to be a Guardian Ad Litem.
JUST DO IT
“My biggest hobby is triathlons. I started running in 1997 and was looking for a new challenge. I did a couple of short triathlons and fell in love with it. My job challenges my mind, but running is all physical. You can let your mind go and see what your body can do. It’s a great stress reliever and lots of fun. I’m training for a Half-Ironman in May and a full Ironman in November.”
EVER WON A RACE?
During a run in Tallahassee in March, Boeckman placed first in her age group. She also finished in her category at a sprint distance competition held by the Beaches Fine Art Series.
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
“Lori Bowden — she’s a triathlon winner. She won the Hawaii Ironman two years ago. She is extremely talented but keeps things in focus and doesn’t let it go to her head.”
BOOKWORM
Cooking, baking and reading fictional novels are other hobbies of hers. An avid reader, she even started a book club with friends. Dining at The Cheesecake Factory or watching “The West Wing” or the film “The American President” are other interests she holds. Nothing tops a moonlight stroll on the beach with her boyfriend and his two black labs, though.
— by Monica Chamness