Nicole Catá, MA International Affairs, Class of 2015, #ElliottProud Alumni
Nicole Catá is a staff attorney at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She received her J.D. from The George Washington University Law School and her M.A. in International Affairs from the Elliott School of International Affairs in 2015. She recently served as an attorney advisor and judicial law clerk at the Executive Office for Immigration Review of the U.S. Department of Justice through the Attorney General’s Honors Program. While at GW Law and the Elliott School, she worked as a law clerk at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, served as a research assistant for Judge Thomas Buergenthal and interned at the Center for Reproductive Rights, National Advocates for Pregnant Women, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. In 2011, she graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University, where she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Nicole is a member of the New York State Bar.
Describe your current position and what are your primary responsibilities?
As a staff attorney at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, I assist federal appellate judges with various civil and criminal issues in immigration cases, substantive motions (both pro se and counseled), and pro se appeals. I review case records and filings, research legal issues, draft bench memoranda and proposed opinions and orders, and provide judges with objective legal advice about the appropriate outcomes. In a nutshell, I read, research, and write about the law governing the results of a given case, and I ensure that the judges are on the same page.
What was your experience with the job search post-graduation? Can you provide any wisdom for students who will start their job search?
Try to develop relationships with mentors at different stages in their careers. Befriend someone who has your dream job as well as someone a few years ahead of you in your career trajectory so you can readily follow in their footsteps, or at least get a lay of the land in your chosen field.
What do you wish other people knew about your organization?
The federal judiciary is a critical component of American democracy. Its purpose is the fair, impartial, and effective administration of justice. You can learn more about the federal judiciary and the Second Circuit at Justice for All!
If you were a box of cereal, what kind would you be and why?
Lucky Charms. Need I say more?
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The #ElliottProud profile series is managed by the Elliott School Office of Graduate Admissions and highlights graduate program alumni to answer common questions posed by prospective, incoming, and current students. For more information on this series or to submit questions, e-mail the Office of Graduate Admissions at esiagrad@gwu.edu.
The views expressed by students profiled do not necessarily represent those of organizations they work for, are affiliated with, or the Elliott School of International Affairs.
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