Fraser Stryker welcomed another outstanding class of talented law students into our 2026 Summer Associate program. In this spotlight, we’re excited to share the experiences and insights of one of this year’s 1L participants, Sadie Netherton. Attending Creighton University School of Law, Sadie is a member of the Student Bar Association and serves as a Law Ambassador. She also received the CALI Award in Legal Research and Writing for her section.
Before law school, Sadie earned a Master of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Medical Anthropology from Creighton University, graduating summa cum laude. Sadie also worked as a Graduate Assistant supporting community engagement initiatives, gaining experience in leadership, organization, and communication.
Q: Going into the program, what areas of law were you most drawn to? How have your interests shifted, or become more focused, through your time here?
A: At the start of the summer, I was feeling most drawn to litigation, but I was open to all areas across the board. I think my interests have shifted a lot throughout this summer. While I still don’t feel like my mind is entirely set on one practice area, I found myself really drawn to my transactional projects throughout the summer. I enjoyed the content of those projects a lot and the research that went into them.
Q: Which project challenged you the most this summer, and how did you grow as a result?
A: I worked on a brief for a 1983 claim for several weeks this summer, and it was a challenging but rewarding experience. This was my first time writing a brief of this nature, drafting a statement of disputed facts, and preparing an index of evidence. While it was an intimidating process to begin, I learned so much throughout the experience.
Working on the brief alongside another Summer Associate was also a great opportunity to grow as a team. We learned how to divide the workload effectively and collaborate on a larger project. I also gained valuable insight into the federal system and developed a better understanding of how to build a strong argument against summary judgment.
Q: What insights or words of wisdom would you pass along to next year’s Summer Associate class?
A: Take the time to make connections with everyone around you. Get to know your fellow Summer Associates well. Reach out to attorneys, both for projects and to talk to them about non-work-related things. Talk to the staff to build connections with them, too. At Fraser Stryker, everyone is genuinely invested in getting to know you and making you feel like part of the team. The more people you get to know and talk to, the better your summer will be! It can be intimidating, but everyone here is so nice. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to people.
About Fraser Stryker’s Summer Associate Program
The Summer Associate Program is structured to give summer associates a realistic experience, which is comparable to that of a first-year attorney. Visit the Fraser Stryker Summer Associate Program page to learn more about our program.
This article has been prepared for general information purposes and (1) does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship, (2) is not intended as a solicitation, (3) is not intended to convey or constitute legal advice, and (4) is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney. Always seek professional counsel prior to taking action.