The University of Texas at San Antonio partnered with the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals recently to offer a new law internship for undergraduate students, making it the first Texas university to place undergraduate interns in the local appellate court.
During summer 2025, UT San Antonio senior and aspiring law student Gabriella Hicks was the first to take advantage of the academic internship opportunity, which is typically reserved for those already in law school.
Situated in downtown San Antonio, the Fourth Court of Appeals is one of 15 appellate courts statewide and is comprised of seven justices who hear civil and criminal cases from across South Texas and the Texas Hill Country.
Working in the chambers of Justice Velia Meza, Hicks observed the law in action by researching criminal and civil law issues, discussing cases with the court’s justices and attorneys and observing oral arguments, all while earning course credit that will count toward her degree.
“I am not only getting to read about cases and apply legal principles to them, but I am also getting to see the real-world outcomes and how the decisions of the Fourth Court of Appeals affect the community,” Hicks said.
“I have learned a lot about how collaboration and discussion contribute to the decisions of the Fourth Court of Appeals,” she added. “A lot of thought and effort goes into each case and opinion published. It’s a wonderful process to get to witness and be a part of.”
Boosting law school readiness
As a major in neuroscience with a minor in biology, Hicks also participated in UT San Antonio’s Summer Law School Preparation Academy (SLSPA) prior to starting her internship.
Hosted by the university’s Institute for Law and Public Affairs (ILPA), the academy provides students with pre-law curricula and experiential learning opportunities to help them develop skills that are critical for success in law school.
The summer law prep academy also gives students a chance to network with legal professionals, which is how Hicks met Meza.
“Through the program, I connected with Justice Meza and asked her for the opportunity to intern with her,” Hicks said. “Since the classes in the SLSPA involve teaching students how to read legal content, write about legal concepts and research legal literature, they gave me the skills needed to apply for the position.”
Bridging coursework
ILPA Program Manager Ana Alvarez, EdD, who organizes the SLSPA every year, said that this new undergraduate internship is the perfect way for pre-law students to connect their academic coursework with real-world legal practice in the community.
“By opening this door to our undergraduate students, we not only created a channel for them to gain valuable hands-on experience in the legal field but also enhanced the professional relevance and competitiveness of all our pre-law programs,” Alvarez said.
As a unit within the university’s Career-Engaged Learning division, the ILPA offers countless resources and events for students of all majors who are interested in pursuing law.
In addition to its hallmark Summer Law School Preparation Academy, the ILPA also offers a Certificate in Legal Studies. The certificate program prepares undergraduates for law school by honing their critical thinking abilities, analytical and logical reasoning, and writing and research skills.
Aligned with the university’s classroom to career initiative, the ILPA helps develop career-ready Roadrunners by offering resources and programs that give students an advantage when applying to law school or entering the workforce.
