Haley Wilson, a second-year law student at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, spent her summer gaining practical litigation experience through the highly competitive Mason Gibbs Plaintiffs' Pathway Fellowship, a national program that places select law students with leading plaintiff law firms across the country.
Wilson completed the fellowship with Singleton Schreiber in the firm's Montgomery, Alabama, office, where she worked under the mentorship of Danielle Ward Mason, a partner recently named to Forbes’ inaugural America’s Top Women Lawyers list. Throughout the summer, Wilson conducted legal research, drafted complaints and demand letters, analyzed cases and assisted with trial preparation.
“When I was selected for the fellowship, I knew it was an incredible opportunity, but I don’t think I fully understood how much the experience would shape me,” Wilson said. “I came into the summer eager to learn more about plaintiff-side litigation, and being able to do that work alongside attorneys who are deeply committed to advocating for people made the opportunity especially meaningful.”
The fellowship provided Wilson with an immersive introduction to plaintiff-side litigation, allowing her to apply classroom concepts to active cases and learn directly from practicing attorneys.
One of the highlights of the summer was traveling to Chicago with Mason to observe proceedings in litigation she had already been working on in the Montgomery office.
“I had the opportunity to sit in on depositions and become familiar with the case before traveling to Chicago,” Wilson said. “Being able to watch another phase of that same litigation unfold in real time was such a unique experience. I wasn’t just learning about litigation in theory. I was seeing firsthand how a case develops and what that work looks like in practice.”
While in Chicago, Wilson also attended the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Annual Convention, where she participated in educational programming and connected with trial attorneys from across the country.
“At the AAJ Annual Convention, I was surrounded by trial lawyers who are doing the kind of work I hope to do one day,” she said. “The conversations I had with attorneys at different stages of their careers gave me a broader picture of what is possible in this profession. There was something powerful about being in a room with people who share a commitment to fighting for justice. I left feeling inspired, supported and even more certain that this is the legal community I want to be part of throughout my career.”
Wilson said one of the most meaningful aspects of the fellowship was the opportunity to learn from Mason.
“Beyond the hands-on legal experience, I have been incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn under Danielle Ward Mason,” Wilson said. “Her guidance and investment in my growth as a future trial lawyer have made this fellowship even more meaningful.”
Experiential learning opportunities such as internships, externships and fellowships allow Cumberland School of Law students to supplement their legal education with practical experience, professional mentorship and exposure to a variety of legal career paths.
As she begins her second year of law school, Wilson said the fellowship strengthened both her confidence and commitment to a future in litigation and trial advocacy.
“This summer reaffirmed my interest in litigation and trial advocacy and gave me a much clearer picture of what a career in this field can look like,” Wilson said. “I’m returning to Cumberland with stronger practical skills, greater confidence and a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into being an effective advocate.”
