Fraser Stryker welcomed another outstanding class of talented law students into our 2025 Summer Associate program. In this spotlight, we’re excited to share the experiences and insights of one of this year’s 2L participants, Soffi Olson. A law student at the University of Nebraska College of Law, Soffi is a member of the Nebraska Law Review and Moot Court, a Legal Writing TA, and an Inclusive Leadership Fellow mentoring incoming 1Ls. Active in Delta Theta Phi and the Student Bar Association, she has volunteered with the Community Legal Education Project, teaching Constitution Day lessons to 8th graders and leading a Goldilocks and the Three Bears mock trial for 5th graders. In Spring 2025, she externed with Magistrate Judge Nelson.
Soffi graduated with distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a B.S. in Business Administration, double majoring in Business Management and Business and Law. She was inducted into the Order of Omega Honor Society, held leadership roles in Delta Gamma Sorority, and dedicated time to community service through Service for Sight and the service-learning course “Serving People and Projects.”
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: As a 1L, I wasn’t entirely sure which direction I wanted to take in my legal career. During my 1L summer, I had the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects. I did projects ranging from briefs to reviewing contracts. Through this experience, I was able to realize I was most drawn to litigation. By my 2L summer, I was able to focus almost exclusively on litigation work, including drafting discovery, writing briefs, and attending depositions…. At Fraser, I appreciated the opportunity to explore various practice areas, which ultimately helped me discover the type of work I’m most passionate about.
Q: How did working directly with clients (or on client matters) impact your understanding of legal practice?
A: Working directly on client matters gave me a more grounded understanding of legal practice beyond research and writing. It taught me that every case involves real people who are navigating complex, and often stressful, situations. Whether I was drafting a brief, reviewing documents, or sitting in on a deposition, I began to appreciate how important it is to communicate clearly, think practically, and keep the client’s goals in focus. These experiences helped me see the bigger picture of legal advocacy.
Q: Looking back, what’s one piece of advice you’d give yourself at the start of the summer?
A: Every project, no matter how big or small, is a chance to grow. I learned that showing initiative and being willing to try something new often leads to the most rewarding experiences.
Q: What insights or words of wisdom would you pass along to next year’s Summer Associate class?
A: Even if you don’t think you’re interested in a particular area of law, it’s important to stay open to every opportunity. While I’m primarily interested in litigation, one of my first (and favorite) projects was a real estate closing transaction. It allowed me to develop a different set of skills, including attention to detail and forward-thinking to anticipate potential issues. Embracing unfamiliar assignments can broaden your perspective and strengthen your overall abilities as a future attorney. Plus, I was able to work directly with the client through the entire process.
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.