Expert: Sally A. Kane - 8/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: Dear Ms. Kane,

I am a law student at a top tier law school. I am very unhappy with me 1L summer internship and I am concerned about how this might affect me during interviews with firms for my next summer. How important is my work this summer towards a firm job?

ANSWER: Scott,

If you are not happy with your internship this summer, don't sweat it.  Many students don't even complete an internship after their first year of law school. How your dissatisfaction with your internship will affect your interviews for next summer depends upon why you are unhappy.  Is it the work? The people? The area of law?  How assignments are distributed?  Whatever the reason, be certain to ask enough questions during your interviews next year to make sure you have a better summer experience.    

If you are in a full-time three-year program, an internship or clerkship between your second and third year is more important because it often results in a job offer at the end of the summer.  Many of the AMLaw 100 law firms recruit new law grads solely from their summer associate ranks. So finish out this summer and concentrate on finding a position next summer that you will enjoy.

Sally A. Kane, J.D.
About.com Guide to Legal Careers
http://legalcareers.about.com/



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Sally,

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate your support and encouragement. However, I find that in my school, everyone completes and internship. I am dissatisfied because I am not doing any substantive work in my internship. I believe I am being given research assignments (if you want to call them that) that are pointless to the place where I work and I am afraid I will have a difficult time justifying my work to a potential employer during OCI.

I am in a full time three year program. I am indeed concentrating on finding the right internship for next summer but my concern is what role will this years internship play in that.

Best,

Scott

Answer
Hi Scott,

It is unfortunate that you are not receiving substantive assignments during your internship.  This is a common complaint among many law students, especially those who have only conpleted one year of law school.  Law firms are often afraid to delegate substantive tasks to students, don't understand how to properly make use of interns or the period of employment (the summer) is too short a time to involve students in complex assignments.

I do not believe your lack of substantive work will affect your interviews during OCI.  Generally speaking, those employers seek students at the top of their class with outstanding academic credentials who will fit well into their firm culture. A lack of substantive work experience should not hinder your prospects.

Sally A. Kane, J.D.
About.com Guide to Legal Careers
http://legalcareers.about.com/