Mercer University School of Law student Colby Belland, a member of the class of 2027, has secured an internship with Georgia Court of Appeals Judge J. Wade Padgett. This opportunity is expected to provide Belland with firsthand exposure to the appellate process and enhance his legal reasoning skills.
“I will benefit from observing real-world appellate work, which will help me engage more deeply in the classroom and refine my legal reasoning skills,” Belland stated. He believes that interning at the Court of Appeals will improve his legal writing as well.
Belland's journey into law began during high school when he interned for retired Superior Court Judge Tain Kell. “Watching Judge Kell on the bench and seeing the dignity, wisdom and compassion he brought to each case was deeply inspiring,” Belland recalled.
His career path continued at King Yaklin & Wilkins LLP, a civil litigation firm in Marietta. There, he gained experience in various roles from IT troubleshooting to drafting pleadings.
“What makes the work so fulfilling is the collaborative environment,” said Belland. He emphasized learning from talented attorneys and contributing meaningfully to clients’ journeys.
Belland is passionate about litigation, especially civil litigation where he aims to defend people's rights and be a force for change. “I want to stand up for my clients, protect their rights and make sure their voices are heard,” he expressed.
At Mercer University, Belland serves as the 1L Representative on the executive board of the Federalist Society Chapter and participates in intramural sports. He chose Mercer for its collaborative environment and strong advocacy program.
“At many schools, competition can feel cutthroat, but at Mercer, there’s a genuine ‘when the tide rises, all boats rise’ mentality,” Belland explained.
Before attending law school, Belland was involved at the University of Georgia as Hairy Dawg mascot while earning a degree in political science with minors in business, law, and sports management. His favorite moments were visiting children’s hospitals where “their faces lit up with huge smiles.”
“I’ll never forget those interactions," he said about his time as Hairy Dawg mascot.