SLU LAW Alum Grace Peterson ('23) clerking in the U.S. Virgin Islands

By: Abigail Allred

Grace Peterson is now the Appellate Law Clerk to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Peterson says her time at the SLU Madrid campus and subsequent internship in Mexico City, Mexico (at ECJIA Mexico) helped foster her interest in traveling to new places and immersing herself in the culture and people there.

Working in St. Thomas, she says, is different in a couple of key ways. Firstly, because the Territorial court system was only established in 2007, she often sees cases of first impression where research into other states' rules is needed to determine which version is the best fit for the Virgin Islands. "To be able to work on cases which set the first legal precedent that will later evolve is not only important, but it also makes working all the more rewarding," Peterson says.

Secondly, there is no shortage of things to do and see, whether it be going to a world-renowned beach just ten minutes away, going to a street festival or boat parade, or taking a short ferry ride to St. John to hike, "every weekend feels like a vacation."

Grace Peterson clerks in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Grace Peterson ('23) with Chief Justice Rhys S. Hodge

Finally, she says, her coworkers and the locals are incredibly welcoming and fun. "There are about ten other law clerks at the trial court and federal level who have helped make my transition to island-life a breeze. The group has planned clerk happy hours, holiday parties and potlucks, and most recently, a boat day!"

Her time at SLU prepared her well for this job by providing her with an excellent foundation in legal research and writing. “Even when imposter syndrome was setting in when I first started, I knew I could trust in what I had learned to do and accomplish the task well.” Additionally, she says, being involved in SLU’s Center for Health Law Studies helped her better assess varying legal rules across the country through a more critical and comparative lens. “After parsing through complex, administrative health law during my time at SLU, I gained an understanding of new and different legal systems and how they work together.”

"I attribute this opportunity in large part thanks to my education at SLU and the guidance I received from the professors there, without which I might not have had the confidence to start my career in the middle of the ocean, but I am so glad I did!"

Peterson was also recently recognized along with Professor Michael Sinha for their piece CBD: The Gordian Knot of Pot, which appeared in Health Affairs Forefront. The piece won the Junior Faculty Public Works Award from Saint Louis University. Professor Sinha accepted the award annual Scholarly Works and Grant Winners reception on Friday, April 5.