What is a law internship?
Legal internships are an integral part of the academic and career development of law students. As one of the first opportunities for the students to gain real-world legal experience, a legal internship can serve as a launching pad to a successful career in law. In fact, many law firms and corporate legal departments typically hire their full-time associates from their own intern pools. During their legal internship, law students can take advantage of a link they have with reputed law firms. It gives them the opportunity to make a great impact in the legal field. Law interns have the chance to hone their skills through real-life cases and interactions with clients. From performing actual legal documents like motions and briefs to providing legal assistance in court and conducting research, legal interns wear various hats and assume many responsibilities . The attributes that students gain through an internship can prove to be useful later during their legal careers. Legal internships are not solely limited to corporate law. Law students who are interested in non-profit law organizations can gain excellent experience while working for a charitable organization. Any type of legal internship can provide them with valuable, informative experience to further their career. A legal internship not only benefits law students but it is also advantageous for legal firms and law departments. Their primary objective in hiring an intern is to find their next associate. However, apart from simply looking for their next employee, legal firms and departments can truly benefit from having an intern. Through the work of the intern, legal firms can receive major legal help while imparting their knowledge to law students.
Research and preparation of cases
Depending upon the size of the law firm, a legal intern’s job can vary drastically. In smaller firms, it may be easier to observe or be directly responsible for what is required of you. In larger firms, it could be like finding your way through a maze without a map. At a minimum, it may be expected that you can conduct simple legal research. Legal research may include finding statutes and other legal authority related to an issue. It will also include finding cases that support those statutes or legal authority. In addition, you may have to read and summarize the cases you find. Be sure to ask your supervising attorney what is needed or how he/she would like you to conduct or present legal research to them. Although it is not the most glamorous part of practicing law, conducting legal research is required in many cases. Thoughtful legal research can sometimes turn the tide in a case for the attorney or firm involved. Therefore, from the very start, be prepared to do this type of research and support your attorney or law firm with quality work. In addition to legal research, you may be responsible for other types of research as well. As for legal research, be sure to get the specifics on what type of research your supervising attorney would like for you to conduct. On any research, be sure to ask questions if the assignment is not clear. If you are researching a client matter, be as thorough as possible and provide your supervisor with a roadmap of the results and where you found these results. If you typed the memo or findings, also remember to proofread for typos, bad citations, etc. In addition to legal research and general research for case preparation, there may be some preparation involved as well. For example, once the legal research and any general research has been conducted, the results may need to be provided to someone else in the firm for review. This person’s responsibility may be to draft and prepare a memorandum, draft pleadings, etc. Be prepared to understand the process for how this is to be done, when it is expected, and whether or not you are expected to do any of the drafting yourself. Again, be sure to ask questions if anything is unclear. If you are not on matters where you are expected to conduct legal research and prepare the results, you may be used in other ways. Some of these other uses may include: As is clear above, there are many things and many ways that a legal intern can assist with a firm. Be sure to remain flexible and thoughtful in understanding why tasks are assigned to you as well.
Review of legal documents
Interns are often tasked with reviewing pleadings and motions filed and received by the law firm. In-house counsel or a senior associate may request assistance in reviewing a brief that was received from opposing counsel, or a response that the firm has drafted. The key aspect is that the intern be able to review and understand the relevant legal context of the document, and how it fits into the big-picture of the case.
Legal research will be very important to creating a good foundation for document review. If an intern does not understand the relevant statutes and case law, he or she will be unable to adequately review a cited motion or pleading. Legal research and reading leading cases is sometimes essential to providing a strong legal analysis. If the intern feels unprepared to review a particular motion or pleading, there is no harm asking the supervising attorney for a refresher discussion or a quick manual review of a sample order.
Another aspect of document review that may be important to interns is summarization and manuscript review. It is very common for interns to be asked to review a drafted or typed memorandum or pleading, and check for spelling and grammar mistakes as well as to provide suggestions as to the flow of the document. Some firms have strict style guidelines, whereas others maintain a more relaxed approach. Regardless, an intern should usually be able to approach a manuscript review without too much difficulty.
Document Management is another important responsibility that may be placed on interns. Document management can overseas many different aspects, including document cataloguing, organizing filing, and maintenance of electronic data files. When a case is active, the documents involved may be kept in a desktop folder or even a physical folder stored in a filing cabinet. Some firms or offices may have a policy regarding how documents should be kept, whether hard copies or not. Interns should always be made aware of document management policies.
Attending client meetings
In addition to research, an attorney may involve a legal intern in other areas of their practice. Legal interns can assist attorneys in client meetings to provide another set of eyes and ears and to take notes for the attorney. This frees the attorney to focus on the content of the conversation with the client. It also gives legal interns an opportunity to observe attorneys interact with clients and clients interacting with each other. This can be particularly useful in family law matters where parties are often very emotional and an attorney’s empathy towards them is essential for successful case management.
Legal interns can assist attorneys in preparing for client conferences so they have a better understanding of the key issues the attorney expects to address in the meeting. Interns can also help prepare meeting agendas or organize materials, including any notes from the last meeting, in a way that moves the conversation towards resolution.
Interns can also work to maintain up to date contact information for clients and begin to understand the firm’s relationship with the client and the fee arrangement. Interns may update a client’s contact information in the firm’s office management software or existing spreadsheets. If the client reaches the firm before they meet, the intern may take the call while the attorney prepares for the meeting and leave a detailed message for the attorney. This frees supervising attorneys’ time to focus more on preparing for the meeting and participating in the meeting rather than fielding administrative and client calls.
Assisting in the preparation of trials
During their time in the office, law students are sometimes present in significant ways at trial. Regarding their specific participation at trial, interns usually aren’t quite ready to to argue motions or examine witnesses. However, there are still many important tasks they can assist with. For one, interns can help conduct background research on opposing experts. Gathering the relevant reports and information on those who may provide expert testimony at your trial might help you identify weak spots in his or her testimony. Additionally, legal interns can collect the materials necessary for pre-trial conferences, like proposed jury instructions or other motions.
Interns can also assist with trial preparation by organizing evidence for trial . In certain instances, they may even be able to organize evidence while doing their own witness interviews or help you prepare for such interviews by conducting research on a particular witness. Some interns may also be asked to take the witness stand to provide foundational information in order to introduce evidence into the case. Besides this, law students may also be asked to assemble the evidence introduced in a case and write closing arguments. Finally, an intern’s work isn’t yet finished once the verdict comes in. After the conclusion of the trial, he or she may be asked to help draw up orders or assist with a possible appeal.
Intern responsibilities at trial can serve as an important learning tool that help your firm’s future lawyers develop their professional skills.
Ethical and confidentiality issues
As a legal intern, the onus is on you to adhere, not only to the highest standards of ethical practice, but also to the standards of confidentiality that are unique to the legal profession. Legal interns should expect to navigate this minefield occupied by the professional lawyers who they hope will be their colleagues when they graduate. To that end, you should familiarize yourself with the American Bar Association MCLE private program on this topic, which is available for free.
The ethical principles governing the conduct of law clerks who work in law firms, government agencies, corporations, and courts were nominally codified in 1977 in the American Bar Association’s "Code of Professional Responsibility," which was superseded by the "Rules of Professional Conduct" in 1983, with slight modifications in 2002. The particular version of these rules may vary by State, but each sets forth the current law governing the behavior of interns, in addition to full-time lawyers. Legal interns should pay special attention to the following rules, which are applicable in all or most jurisdictions:
Rule 1.6: Confidentiality of Information
Rule 1.11: Successive Government Employment
Rule 1.11(a): Special Conflicts of Interest for Former and Current Government Employees and Other Public Officers and Employees
Rule 1.11(b): Special Conflicts of Interest for Former and Current Government Employees
Rule 1.9: Duties to Former Clients
Rule 1.10: Imputed Disqualification—General Rule
Rule 1.16: Declining or Terminating Representation
Rule 4.2: Communication with Person Represented by Counsel
Rule 5.3: Responsibilities Regarding Not-For-Profit Organizations
Rule 5.7: Responsibilities Regarding Law-Related Services
Rule 8.4: Misconduct
There are many other relevant rules for legal interns, but these represent the primary ethical duties with which interns must comply. From the moment a legal intern begins an office relationship, even if he or she has not yet been retained as an attorney, he or she is subject to the same conflicts of interest and other prohibitions as a contracted lawyer in most jurisdictions. The nature of legal internship position is unique. Many law firm interns have already passed the bar exam and are simply waiting to be admitted. As such, they are bound by the same ethical responsibilities and requirements of confidentiality as those who do engage in the formal attorney-client relationship. A legal intern, once assigned to a case, is bound to same duties of confidentiality in relation to the trial(s) as a contracted lawyer, which are determined by laws and regulations relating to attorney-client privilege. What this means is that law clerks must exercise extreme caution when discussing their cases with anyone who is not directly involved, which can often include other interns. If given any reason to believe that such a discussion may impact the ongoing court case, one must refrain from discussing details of the case. Even if there is no direct reason to be concerned, sensitive information should not be circulated. It is better to err on the side of caution and avoid a cheap modicum of humor, than to risk being punished for a breach of confidentiality or a related offense. Communication with the client is subject to somewhat different rules, although it is always appropriate for the intern to encourage the client to be aware of their right to speak with an attorney about any aspect of their case, and the limitations placed upon them as a result of their status.
Networking and personal growth
In nearly every industry, a person’s professional network is one of the most important resources they have. This is especially true in the legal world, where connections can directly impact success. That’s why legal interns are strongly urged to take advantage of their position to establish a robust network within the field.
Your internship will be filled with opportunities to meet legal professionals. Your employer may introduce you to their colleagues at neighboring firms, or you could encounter other firms and professionals during your research. What’s most important is making an effort to keep those professional relationships alive when the internship ends.
In the short term, these connections are often beneficial because they can help you find a quality job after law school. A broad, well-maintained network can help you learn of open positions and even get your foot in the door at your firm of choice. It can also help you find clients if you’re going into private practice.
But the long-term value of your professional network may be even more significant than the immediate benefits. Having a robust professional network as a legal intern can help you gain access to information, influence, and other resources. Over time, a strong professional network can help you build your practice and rise through the ranks of a firm. As such, you should make an effort to meet as many different people as possible, from clients to judges to firm partners.
A legal internship offers one of the most valuable opportunities to network. Legal interns are new to the field, giving them access to decision makers who are eager to share their wisdom. Your internship is the best time to ask questions and establish yourself as a passionate, eager-to-learn professional.
Just remember: your professional network is not just about growth and advancement. It’s also a resource for you to give and assist others. So establish a network that is mutually beneficial for you and your contacts. Maintaining strong, positive relationships is vital for a broad professional network. That’s how you ensure that your professional relationships last.
Essentially, every professional interaction you have as a legal intern can have a long-lasting impact on your career. Whether you’re speaking with a client or a senior firm partner, look for ways to build rapport. It’s just one of the important responsibilities of a legal intern.
Conclusion: how to have a fulfilling internship
In sum, it is essential for interns to take their experiences seriously and make the most out of the time that is being given to them. By continuing to improve your skill set, asking clarifying questions when needed, and maintaining perspective and professionalism, you will have a strong chance of receiving the best recommendations and potentially a position after graduation. Generally, law firms and organizations like to promote from within and therefore you can be seen as a great asset if you work hard , do not need too much direct supervision and ask pointed, continual questions about your specific career path. Additionally, do not get disheartened by having to do more mundane tasks such as organizing files; this is a critical function of any legal practice as it becomes the backbone of the organization and provides continuity that is sometimes needed in order to perform the core functions of the firm or organization.