What is a Legal Intern?
Legal interns are an intrinsic part of most law firms and legal departments. Their primary purpose is to introduce students of law to actual cases and first-hand learning; in general, a legal intern’s role is divided between two spheres: case research and preparation, and clerical duties. The general work of a legal intern includes:
The practice of law is both fascinating and multi-faceted; there are many different specializations within the profession. At the same time, the basic legal principles that underlie all sectors are the same. An internship provides a student with the opportunity to learn about legal issues from the inside out; for example, if an intern is assigned to a research project dealing with a real case or an arbitration, he or she will gain valuable experience regarding how attorneys prepare a case , anticipate arguments by witnesses and opposing parties, as well as how the laws of various jurisdictions may apply to the situation.
Many law school programs require legal interns to participate as a precondition of graduation, while others offer academic credit if the student passes the internship program. Although legal interns are not paid their employers, the experience they gain while working in a law office makes the placement a highly sought after opportunity; so much so that top schools like Harvard and Yale have long waiting lists for their students who wish to secure an internship.
In most firms, there is no differential between a legal intern and a legal assistant: an internship serves as the introductory training for aspiring attorneys. Accordingly, a legal internship is the lynchpin between academics and practice.
Primary Responsibilities of Legal Intern
Legal research is one of the most common tasks that a legal intern will be required to perform. Under the supervision of a qualified attorney, a legal intern will review case law, journals and other legal literature to determine what information can be extracted from these resources to assist in the defense or prosecution of a particular case. Attorneys will then use the findings of the research to build their cases and form their opinions about how to proceed with legal issues.
Drafting and proofreading legal documents is another area where a legal intern will be expected to contribute. Legal interns may be called upon to write legal briefs, motions for dismissal, or interrogatories and requests for discovery. It is also common for legal interns to review testimony from witness to distill the essential facts and use that information to draft statements for later use in court proceedings. The legal intern will also have a significant role in proofreading and editing documents that have been prepared to ensure that there are no typographical or other errors.
Assisting lawyers in the preparation of depositions and trial proceedings is another core function of a legal intern. Depending on the level of responsibility assigned by the supervising attorney, a legal intern may be asked to prepare questions for witness, order trial exhibits in a specific sequence and prepare courtroom exhibits for introduction into the record. Finally, they may also present evidence at a deposition or court hearing.
Essential Skills for Legal Intern
The qualities or skills listed below can help you determine if a legal intern will be successful in your organization.
Attention to detail. A legal intern should have the ability to follow instructions and understand how to implement them in writing. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar are vital to good legal writing. Omission of key facts or issues, incomplete answers, or misunderstanding of the law are detrimental to a legal intern as well as the organization.
Organizational skills. A successful legal intern should be able to organize and balance their workload for efficiency. For example, interns assigned to research projects should be able to separate and categorize the issues and sub-issues easily. Senior attorneys will likely be able to determine if the intern is organized by simply observing how he or she conducts their research and drafts documents.
Legal research proficiency. An internship is an excellent way for a legal intern to learn legal research techniques in a hands-on environment. Interns should be taught the appropriate research methods, search terms, and resources for each case matter.
Effective communication. Legal interns should possess effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate legal concepts and terminology clearly.
How to Read Legal Intern Job Descriptions
The first step in pursuing a legal internship is identifying and qualifying opportunities. This means recognizing which opportunities to pursue, and which to classify as ‘bad fit’ and pass on. And crucial to this is learning how to read legal job descriptions to identify what’s required, what’s expected, and why you might take or not take the opportunity being offered. Understanding these descriptions also helps you to recognize bad government and private sector employer practices.
Let’s start by breaking down the parts of a legal internship job description. While there are variations, job postings will often have sections identifying who the employer is, its practice areas and specialties, the position itself, responsibilities, internships hours, qualifications, and the application process.
Identifying the employer and its specializations are fundamental to ensuring that an employer is a good fit for you. This applies to employers in all sectors. Specifically regarding internships, you’ll want to ensure that the employer has enough work for the internship to be a learning and meaningful experience. For example, an ideal internship will post a well-balanced internship description. If the employer is known for a specific area of law, they should identify it. Otherwise, it gives the impression that they don’t know who they are or what their areas of expertise are. A well drafted job description will list the employer’s primary practice areas.
That said, be careful with this kind of jargon. Some employers will expect interns to write simple memos concerning a new law or an upcoming court date and therefore use outdated terms like memos. A well drafted description will include descriptions of what the intern will be doing for them. It may include language about doing research, drafting projects, or observing trials. If a description feels thin or lacks duties for the intern, that could suggest that there will be little for the intern to do.
Internship hours and time commitment are essential to identify in job descriptions . Some employers will include language indicating what hours they expect interns to commit, how many days per week, and what times of day they expect interns to be onsite. Federal law requires that unpaid interns working in the private sector for more than 40 hours per week receive payment for overtime work. State laws may also govern internship hours, requiring payment after a certain tier. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) contains the following language regarding hours and overtime for interns:
…[N]on-exempt employees (those entitled to overtime pay) who do not receive at least the minimum wage of $7.25/hour [as of publication] for all hours worked retention of the entire minimum wage and all overtime premium pay must be paid to the interns… [T]hese interns must also be paid overtime for hours worked over 40 in the workweek.
Here is an important tip: When deciding to take an internship, check to see if the employer is requires that the internship be taken for academic credit. Some employers simply require interns to take the internship for academic credit, without offering any credit. In such cases, students often receive a zero credit or one credit option, or are required to complete additional credits in the form of general education or electives. Once you’ve figured out if you can take the internship for credit, remember that some public interest and government employers require that students take the internship for credit. Inspect your prospective law school’s internship requirements to see if you can meet requirements with the hours needed for the internship you’re considering.
This section will often contain information on how candidates can enter the interview process. Sometimes, they will specify that applicants should submit a writing sample. Writing samples will often be expected of law students interning with public interest and government employers. These applications will also contain information about what kinds of skills and experience the employer values. It may also inform you about the employer’s preferences regarding grades, major, types of education completed, and work experience.
Interviewing for a Legal Internship
In preparing for interviews for legal intern positions, it is best to think about where an employer might be asking questions. I would start with thinking about your resume. Based on my experience, most people who are interviewing for (law) school intern positions are unexperienced and/or do not have much of a background in the law. So, you should be ready to discuss why you are there and why you are seizing this opportunity. I have also found that the resumes and cover letters are prepared by professors and are often inconsistent with what a student could answer. So, be prepared for questions about things that you list on your resume. You should have all of the information that is listed and assure interviewers that you can speak to whatever is listed on your resume.
Second, there are common questions that an employer is likely to ask. These types of questions may be general such as "why are you applying here?" or more specific, like "what are your career interests?" Attorneys often get frustrated when candidates do not have opinions, interests, and personal interests. For example, I would find it acceptable to say that you are not yet certain what area of law you want to practice, but that you are interested (and why you are interested). Employers are seeking legal interns for short stints, so they want to see an attitude that you will gain experience, learn quickly and contribute work that further develops your interest. Again, the wild card is anything on your resume. If you have listed something on your resume, be confident enough to speak to it and your interest in it.
Finally, be prepared to talk about current events. Legal interns are often hired after above-average research assistants are not available. Having a knowledge of what is going on both generally and with in the law is a huge plus. I would also review where the employer is located and the types of cases that they are handling. I sometimes schedule phone interviews without reviewing an application before the call. I have found that these candidates are not prepared for the conversation. Keep in mind that a phone interview is a full-fledged interview with the same expectations. On the other hand, there are times that we are in such a rush to fill a position that we forgo some of the basics. If there is a interview team, then one person will typically be responsible for deciding if an interview may go forward. I have also found that the way that a candidate initially communicates with interviewers both in phone interviews and in writing is a big factor in whether we will move forward. Again, be yourself, be honest, and be confident.
Using Internships to Launch Your Legal Career
The experiences and connections forged through a legal internship can prove invaluable in the long run. Just as potential employers look to provide experience and foster fledgling legal talent, law students and graduates are wise to select internships that can offer insight and opportunity into their practice areas of their choice.
Build Your Network
Whether you obtain an internship in a private practice or a public agency, you will be joining a channel full of future colleagues. Take advantage of this dynamic by introducing yourself and forming relationships with your coworkers. The earlier you start building your professional network, the better. Much like any industry, many opportunities are offered off-hand to those who have gone out of their way to make an impression. Whether it’s by volunteering for extra projects, having a cup of coffee with a colleague, or making conversation in the break room, get to know the people around you. It could lead to a strong recommendation, a future job opportunity, or even outright mentorship. However, you should also research contacts who work in your desired field outside of your internship project. Consider submitting a list of questions to a contact in a position you aspire to. This will not only help you learn more about the role, but it will also leave a positive impression on your contact.
Obtain Practical Experience
If you’ve done your research, an important aspect of your internship will be the learning opportunities. You will likely receive a crash course in working with clients, understanding the court system, and a variety of other insider knowledge . As part of a law firm, observe the rhythm and workflow of a private practice, and learn about how this differs from other possible work environments. Also, be sure to analyze the culture of the organization. Is it relaxed or professional? Does it seem like your future law firm would benefit from more or less structure? Think about how the work environment fits into your personality and what your future workplace might look like if you ended up where you are.
Leverage Your Internship
Internships offer young legal workers the valuable chance to gain hands-on experience in their chosen field. More often than not, they come with the promise of a reference or two. However, it is important to leverage your contacts and the people you’ve met through your internship to help find employment in your desired field of law. Make sure to use your internship to not only further your learning opportunities, but to network among your company contacts, as well as professionals beyond its walls. This will allow you to better plan your career moving forward, and secure a solid reputation ahead of you when applying for programs, internships, and jobs.
A Legal Job Can Be Yours
A legal career is not something that is given to you. A great education from a respected law school is essential, but in order to succeed in law you will need to have a powerful and effective legal network. By making the right connections in an internship setting, you will be poised to impress potential employers and find yourself in a prime position to make your first big step in your legal career.