While you have to work hard to impress people these days, there are “simple” points that many people lose simply because they don`t pay attention to detail. Once you`ve selected your target law firms, take the time to prepare your application documents for your articling. Be sure to include a well-written cover letter, your resume with your experience, your law school transcripts, and a letter of recommendation if necessary. How do lawyers meet the needs of their clients? How do they solve legal problems? What do the best lawyers in the firm do to stand out from their peers? You should observe and absorb as much information as possible during your first legal internship. To be honest, the bulk of your scholarship will consist of conducting legal research, writing applications, orders, and memos under the supervision of a lawyer. Some tasks may seem simple and quite straightforward, others may be more complicated. Use this time to understand how to conduct legal research, how to write an application or memo, and ask relevant questions of your supervisor. Each task is an opportunity to learn something new or refresh your skills. To make the most of your time, here are seven tips to help you really take advantage of this opportunity: Your first articling is a great way to build your legal network by meeting other lawyers at social events. Resist the temptation to just spend time with other interns. Instead, ask the lawyers for a presentation at the event or introduce yourself directly to them. Also, resist the temptation to get drunk or really get high. It`s fine to have a drink or two, but always keep your goal in mind.
Congratulations! You are taking a law student under your wing for an internship this summer. WHAT ELSE? Congratulations! You no longer have the stress of the final on your shoulder, no more sleepless nights wondering which concert will set you up in summer. I hope that this summer you landed the dream job you`ve always wanted and that the optimism with which you went to law school is recharged in terms of what this summer brings. For some of you, this will be your first real hands-on legal experience. For others, it`s another opportunity to lay the groundwork for permanent employment in the future. I want to help you get the most out of your summer gig, so I`ve put together some super awesome tips on how to survive your summer legal internship to your advantage. The legal world is surprisingly small. Lawyers and law professors know many people; Assistants and administrative staff are often attentive to decision-makers.
Talk to people and let them know you`re looking for an internship. Ask them if they know of any opportunities that might be right for them. You`ll never know if you don`t ask! Articling as a law student is not easy. It takes preparation, organization, hard work and tenacity. The process takes time, effort and, unfortunately, rejection. Don`t let it get to you. Don`t give up. Also, be open-minded and do all kinds of tasks in different areas of expertise to find the one that interests you. Many articling students who were initially opposed to a certain type of law actually liked it at the end of their articling period. This article describes 7 of the most important aspects of workplace etiquette that you must follow throughout your internship.
Finally, at the end of your internship, it can`t hurt to send your supervisor a formal thank you card. Gifts often raise ethical questions, although a simple edible item or gift card may not be too much. This choice is yours and you feel comfortable with your supervising lawyer. However, a card will never be a bad decision. While it is of course not necessary to engage in a specific field of activity from the beginning, an internship will prove to be much more effective and impactful if you experience it in an environment that best suits your interests. So do your best to plan ahead and explore internships in areas that might interest you. Students who have never worked in an office environment before will do well to learn how everything works. Every office is different, but it`s important to understand the overall culture and etiquette of the office, regardless of the profession a student finds themselves in. During an articling placement, students get a clear picture of how law firms operate and operate. It is also likely that there is office politics at some level, and learning how to play this game and adapt to it is extremely helpful for students. However, as a 2L or 3L, you have probably taken the required courses that will allow you to take on some legal tasks.
While you may think you`re ready to do a study, your supervisor may ask you to do a little more than do legal research and maybe make a copy or two. Keep in mind that none of these tasks are “with you.” They are there to learn and help the company in any way they can. Accept every task with a smile and remember that everyone starts somewhere. I hope you found these tips helpful. Good luck and have a great summer! Founder and CEO, Miguel Willis As an articling student, you are likely to receive negative feedback or make a mistake or two while developing your practical skills. While you may be a little disappointed, being too emotional about tears or anger will make you look immature and unprofessional. Overall, your internship is like a big audition. Your legal expertise is important, but so is your behaviour. Use your internship as a chance to shine and gain the networking and employment opportunities that the best interns offer.
1. PUNCTUALITY IS KEY – Yes, you`ve heard this throughout the year from your legal writing professors and CPD staff, but in practice, time is often overlooked. Make sure you`ve met all deadlines, submit a high-quality work product, and make sure you proactively record all your working hours. 2. PUNCTUALITY IS OLD NEWS – As a summer intern, you want to leave a lasting impression on your employers. Try to arrive 15 minutes earlier and leave 15 minutes late. This will cement your strong work ethic, which you so gloriously bragged about in your cover letter.3. FIND MENTORS IMMEDIATELY – Employees, managers, colleagues. Look around you and find people who share similar values and whom you admire. It`s never too early to set up a personal advisory committee. This will be your own support team that will help you make tough decisions and explore your interests throughout your career.4. DRESS UP THE ROLE – You probably won`t have to show up every day in a three-piece suit like Harvey Specter.
Dress professionally. Most office dress codes vary somewhere between casual business and professional. Learn about your office`s cultural dress code and dress accordingly. If you`re not sure, it doesn`t hurt to ask. 5. PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY – You`ll probably have a discussion about professional liability during the first week of your concert, but it`s worth repeating. Use common sense. Don`t ship your Amazon purchases to the office. As crazy as it sounds, it actually happened. 6. SOCIAL MEDIA – If your social media accounts are public or you plan to befriend your colleagues, be sure to censor your activities. Each social network has security settings that allow you to limit your content to a specific audience.
7. STAY BUSY – There will undoubtedly be times when you finish your tasks ahead of time, don`t get used to being inactive and drifting through social media or writing abysses. Be sure to contact your manager and ask for other tasks you can work on.8. THERE WILL BE ALCOHOL – I can assure you that there will be a lot of social functions this summer, and it`s no secret that lawyers love to drink. However, resist the temptation to use these features as a green light to waste too much. I`m not saying you shouldn`t have a drink or two, but make sure you focus on the purpose of these events, which is to network and meet other advocates. A legal internship is an asset, whether you are a student or a law student. An internship is your best networking opportunity and can be an important resume booster. Still, you can do yourself more harm than good if you don`t always act professionally. It is possible that your first internship will take place in the field of your dreams. Make sure you maximize your internship opportunity! Try to improve at least one legal skill, whether you`re improving your legal writing or learning how to effectively look for problems.
If you are put on different tasks, you can find out what you like and don`t like. This will help you narrow down your search for future legal positions. As an intern, it`s important to build a good reputation in the office so your employer is likely to give you more work. One of the objectives of the internship is to leave with a glowing letter of recommendation. Finally, leaving your internship with a writing sample gives you a significant advantage for upcoming jobs. Remember: you are here to learn. The first legal internship is about learning, growing and observing. When you receive a task, ask them what is expected of you. Also inquire about the scheduled date or time of each task. This way, you will never be late when you finish a task. If you are not sure what to do or do not know the deadline, please ask for clarification.
0