PJ Novak
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
After graduating from OCU Law in May of 2025, PJ Novak accepted a term clerk position under Judge Ronald C. Griffin in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in Midland, Texas.
Prior to law school, PJ attended Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School and earned an undergraduate degree in political science (with a minor in history) from the University of Oklahoma. While at OCU Law, he served as president of the Federal Bar Association student division, was a member of the Law Review editorial board, and competed on the Jessup International Moot Court Team. PJ worked at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and as a summer associate at McAfee & Taft during law school.
Prior to law school, PJ attended Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School and earned an undergraduate degree in political science (with a minor in history) from the University of Oklahoma. While at OCU Law, he served as president of the Federal Bar Association student division, was a member of the Law Review editorial board, and competed on the Jessup International Moot Court Team. PJ worked at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and as a summer associate at McAfee & Taft during law school.
PJ says hearing high praise about judicial clerkships from attorneys at the U.S. Attorney’s Office inspired him to pursue a clerkship himself. And at McAfee & Taft, he noticed that the attorneys,who had clerked demonstrated a deep understanding of them federal judicial system, which solidified his decision.
Looking forward to his legal career, PJ knew he wanted to develop that same understanding before entering practice. He also found that a judicial clerkship was in alignment with his interest in legal analysis and writing. PJ says his involvement in federal practice through organizations like FBA and law school courses like Federal Courts made him feel well–prepared for his clerkship. During his clerkship PJ is most excited to “continue refining the ability to think about the law from an objective perspective, moving beyond advocacy to view issues as the court does.”
After his clerkship ends, PJ plans to return to Oklahoma City and start work at McAfee & Taft as an associate.
“It has truly been the best job I could imagine. Every day offers an opportunity to engage deeply with the law and see firsthand how decisions are made in federal court.”
Saige Culbertson
Oklahoma Supreme Court
Oklahoma Supreme Court
Saige Culbertson is a graduate of the OCU Law Class of 2023. After graduation, Saige accepted a term clerk position with then–Vice Chief (now Chief) Justice Dustin Rowe at the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Before law school Saige, originally from Lawton, Oklahoma, earned an undergraduate degree in history (with a minor in government) from the University of Texas at Austin. She then spent a season as a park ranger in Moab, Utah, before working for a spinal implant company back in Austin.
At OCU Law Saige got involved with the Innocence Project and the Fighting for Innocence Through Exoneration Club. She served as an Academic Fellow in both Contracts and
Property, along with being a member of the Law Review Editorial Board and a Research Fellow. Outside of the law school, she worked at the legal, regulatory, and policy consulting firm A New Energy, LLC.
Saige credits her externship with Judge Sheila Stinson for inspiring her to pursue a judicial clerkship after law school, despite not initially being on her radar. She says Judge Stinson was a phenomenal mentor who opened her eyes to how meaningful a clerkship could be.
During her clerkship, Saige conducted legal research, reviewed briefs and motions, prepared bench memoranda, drafted opinions and orders, and helped manage the flow of cases through the Court. She says OCU Law’s judicial externship program and her Law Review Note were especially helpful in preparing her for day–to–day clerkship work and learning how to research and write efficiently gave her a strong foundation.
Saige moved to Vermont after finishing her clerkship and is now an attorney for the Agency of Natural Resources. She says her best advice for law students is to keep an open mind, don’t compare yourselves too much to your classmates, and don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek opportunities.
“OCU was absolutely integral to my clerkship… The support and guidance I received from both faculty and staff gave me the confidence and preparation I needed.”