law firm internships
Law firm internships are the best way to make contacts.
The best way to make contacts is to be active, ask questions and speak up. If you don’t understand something, say so. There’s nothing worse than being surrounded by ten people who are all nodding their heads like they understand what’s going on when you’re the only one not following along. Another great way of getting contacts is to get involved in the social side of things – help out with events, or approach an intern who seems confident and has been there for longer than you and ask them for advice.
The firms usually pay interns enough to cover basic costs.
In general, internships in the legal field are paid, and they’re paid enough that a law firm intern can reasonably afford to live. For example, it’s not like an unpaid internship in the arts where you have to share a bunk-bed with two roommates in downtown Detroit just so you can spend your days fetching coffee for the editors at Harper’s Bazaar. Law firm interns are usually paid enough to cover basic costs, and maybe even have a little extra spending money for entertainment.
It’s a very competitive application process.
We noted above that the process of applying for internships is competitive. Keep in mind that applications are usually submitted in the fall semester of one’s second year of law school when firms are looking to fill positions for summer internships. Applicants will be carefully evaluated, and firms try to find and hire the best and brightest students.
Your application is your first impression on prospective employers, so it needs to be polished and error-free. Take time to craft a resume that highlights your accomplishments, experience, skills, any relevant coursework or research projects you’ve worked on during law school, awards or honors you’ve received; a cover letter where you explain why you’re interested in working at the firm; and any other materials requested by the firm (e.g., writing samples). If you have questions about what information to include or how best to format these documents, it can be helpful to ask someone who has participated in this hiring process before—for example, an advisor at your law school’s career office or a member of your school’s career services office—to review your documents before submitting them.
It’s great experience, but there’s no guarantee of a job at the end.
Sometimes, after you do an internship at a law firm, they may ask you back for more work. This is great news! It means that the firm is impressed by your work and wants to keep working with you. But if this doesn’t happen—or even if it does—the experience you gain during your internship can be a useful addition to your resume when applying for other jobs in the legal field.
Even if your internship doesn’t result in a full-time job offer, it’s still valuable career experience. Interning is a great way to figure out what parts of law practice you find interesting or challenging. It can also help you make connections with other people working in the legal field, who can help guide your future career path or give referrals for jobs at their own firms or others.
Internships are a great way for law school students to gain experience and make contacts before going on to work for a law firm.
Internships are a great way for law school students to gain experience and make contacts before going on to work for a law firm. Internships provide an opportunity to learn what it’s like to work in a law firm, get paid while learning new skills, and even get your foot in the door at the firm so you can apply for a position after you graduate. If you’re interested in gaining experience working at a law firm as an intern, here are some steps you should take:
- Apply early—at least six months before you want to start your internship
- Create an impressive resume that highlights your organizational skills, leadership abilities, and any other relevant information about your background
- Prepare for an interview by having 3-4 questions prepared about the firm’s practices or case history