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What is the best approach for a paralegal student to secure an internship in a small law firm?

I am currently a student in the Middlesex Community College, Certificate in Paralegal Studies program and will need to secure an internship for myself in the coming semester. I am in need of guidance as to the best way to get an attorney to agree to allow me to perform paralegal duties and not use me simply as a free file clerk. #paralegal #legal #women-in-law #law

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Kim’s Answer

Rachel,

Hi! I am a long way from Massachusetts (but was born there! :-) but think this advice will still be useful. I am actually in a Paralegal Studies program in Texas!

An internship usually has requirements that the law firm must meet. I know some specifically address your concerns in the instructions they give to the firm. Beyond that, I would look at writing a letter highlighting what you have learned in school, what interested you the most, what you did well in, what your career goals are (such as corporate law, patent law, etc.) and what you would hope to accomplish through an internship. Be careful not to oversell yourself! We have all done some work on Lexis or Westlaw, for example, but even if we got an A, we are far from experts. Also include what you hope to contribute to the firm (this is the hard part!)

Research the firms in your community, talk to other students, etc. Try to find out what firms tend to use interns. Solo firms may not have time to do any teaching, but they can be very exciting. Realize that grunt work IS part of the job, so you need to be willing to do some filing, but the focus of the internship should be on work that would be classified as "billable hours."

Edited to include: Also, please try to find out who is in the office, and who you need to talk to! Don't bypass administrative staff and other Paralegals! Stepping on toes is not a good way to start off! Your initial contact may not be with the attorneys!

I think this will be an exciting semester for you, and hope all goes well. Keep me posted!
Kim
Thank you comment icon Kim, Thanks for your timely responses to my questions. What a coincidence that we have these things in common. It's a small world. Writing a letter is wonderful advise. I am hung-up on what I might include as far as how the firm will benefit from my intern contributions. At this moment, I am only able to see how I would benefit from the experience. Do you have any suggestions on this specific piece? Thanking you in advance! Rachel Rachel
Thank you comment icon That's a difficult question! You don't want to come across as a know-it-all. I would try something like "Although I am about to complete my formal education, I know that the real learning is only just beginning. However, because of my previous experience in banking and insurance, I believe I will learn quickly, enabling me to productively contribute to the Law Firm of xxxxxx during this brief internship." (of course, re-work it to suit the type of firm, your experience, etc.) Kim Igleheart
Thank you comment icon Very helpful. Thanks to you again Kim! Rachel
Thank you comment icon Kim, I was able to secure the ideal internship for myself....... with a judge at one of the courts downtown. I am so very excited. Although the per day commuting cost is not very exciting. I have to pay a$4.00 parking fee at the commuter rail lot, Round-trip from where I get on is an additional $20, then I have to take the orange line for another $5.50. This is not a paid internship as the ABA requires the time spent to be unpaid in order to count toward the certificate. But, this is a dream opportunity so I'll figure out some way to make it work. Thanks for your input and support. It is much appreciated. Rachel Rachel
Thank you comment icon Wow!!! That is super-exciting! Thank you for sharing with me! Please don't let the thought of what you are paying to be able to volunteer your services derail you from the objective. I did that many years ago - walked away from an internship with THE topnotch investigative reporter working on THE case of the year - all because I did not think I should be paying to park! Keep your eye on the prize! Kim Igleheart
Thank you comment icon Good advise! It is far too easy to get derailed by the stress and distraction of financial burdens, but you are absolutely right.... keep my eye on the prize. This internship is like a dream, but in fact it is my reality and it can all be taken away if I allow myself to fret over the finances. Some how, some way, I will make it work as long as I stay focused on my purpose and continually embrace the opportunity that I have been given. In the grand scheme of this situation..... it's only money. I'm not willing to throw away this opportunity because of money. Even if I have to take a small student loan in order to cover commuting costs, the benefits of having THIS internship far outweigh the temporary financial burdens. Thanks for sharing in my excitement about this. Rachel
Thank you comment icon So, what kind of court is this? municipal, county, state, federal? What are they going to have you doing? I am soooooo happy for you! Kim Igleheart
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MORENA’s Answer

will give you a very easy and simple answer. First of all, express your interest to do an internship in a local law firm at your school. Then explore existing opportunities posted in the social media community in your town/city. Also just walk into any of the law firms and introduce yourself and express your interest to become an intern in their firm with the knowledge of their specialty in the practice.
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