Gonsalves was first introduced to Bolden after he led a Gateway to Practice panel at Quinnipiac Law. His perspective challenged Gonsalves to think differently about her role as an advocate, inspiring her to apply for an internship in his chambers.

“What struck me most was how he spoke about the legal profession not just in terms of rules and procedure, but in terms of impact, responsibility and purpose,” said Gonsalves. “He emphasized the importance of keeping sight of our broader impact as future attorneys and leading with both principle and purpose.”

During her internship, Gonsalves has gained hands-on experience conducting legal research, drafting memoranda, observing sentencing hearings, plea hearings, a naturalization ceremony and a reentry court graduation.

“Every day in chambers has brought something new and meaningful,” she said. “The first day of my internship marked the start of a multi-week criminal trial. Seeing the process unfold in real time was unforgettable.”

Outside of court proceedings, the district court hosted various panels and educational experiences for its interns, including a tour of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and Q&A with Judge Kahn, a tour of the Connecticut Supreme Court and Q&A with Justice Bright and a tour of the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Danbury, Connecticut. 

Gonsalves also volunteered as a mock trial coach for high schoolers at the Honorable Warren W. Eginton Justice Institute in Hartford, Connecticut. As a student herself, guiding the next generation of aspiring lawyers and advocates gave her a deep sense of gratitude.  

“Watching those students find their voices and grow into confident advocates was incredibly rewarding,” said Gonsalves. “It meant a lot to give back by sharing the kind of guidance and support that so many mentors have offered me.”

Learning alongside Bolden has been instrumental in witnessing human-centered advocacy.

“Working with Judge Bolden has made me more mindful of the humanity behind every case,” she said. “I have come to see that judicial decision-making is not just about applying the law; it also involves understanding the context, considering fairness and being aware of the lives affected by every ruling. Whether over lunch or following a courtroom proceeding, Judge Bolden consistently took the time to engage with me, answer questions, offer insight into his decisions and provide the broader legal and human context behind each case.”

This level and depth of mentorship helped Gonsalves see the judicial process as a living system rather than a set of procedures.

Working at a pivotal part of the federal court system where foundational decisions are made has challenged Gonsalves in various ways. 

“It is easy to intellectualize the law in law school, but seeing its consequences firsthand reminded me of why empathy is essential to justice,” said Gonsalves. “On a more technical level, it was challenging and extremely educational to adapt my legal writing to judicial standards, ensuring every analysis was clear and grounded in case law.”

Beyond sharpening her skills, this experience played an influential role in informing Gonsalves’ path and approach as a future attorney.

“This internship reaffirmed that I want to practice in a way that centers people, not just process,” she said. “Observing proceedings from the court's perspective deepened my understanding of what effective, human-centered advocacy looks like. It confirmed for me that I want to be in the courtroom, to litigate with both skill and compassion. As a future attorney, I want to carry that awareness forward in everything I do, balancing strong legal analysis with deep ethical responsibility.”

This experience also emphasized the value and importance of increasing diverse perspectives in the legal field.

“As a woman with a military background, I have come to deeply value the role that different life experiences play in shaping how we approach justice,” said Gonsalves. “Opportunities like this help open doors for students from a variety of backgrounds, giving them access to mentorship and insight that can be truly transformative. The justice system benefits when its advocates and decision-makers reflect the communities they serve.”

As she continues to pursue her juris doctor, Gonsalves is grateful to Bolden and his chambers for this formative experience.