3 answers
Ashlianne
Student
Clark, New Jersey
1
Question
Updated
152 views
How do I make it in the corporate legal world as someone with no connections?
I am a sophomore Legal Communications major at Howard University and it's my dream to work at a big corporation like JP Morgan and be an attorney for them. I've applied to countless internships and can only land stuff not related or nothing at all. I really want to branch into my field as I feel behind with no internship or experience. Any help would suffice.
3 answers
Brian O'Connell
Legal Director (Negotiate Software Contracts)
4
Answers
Herndon, Virginia
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Hi Ashlianne - don't put so much pressure on yourself! I know it can be very overwhelming to see people you know with internships at well-known companies, but it absolutely isn't a requirement. I didn't have a single internship during college -- I worked, in order to make some money. I worked at a bookstore, at my college's admissions office, and I spent one summer assembling computers! None of those are "legal" jobs, but I definitely honed skills in all of those that I use day-to-day in my current job. Skills like how to engage with a diverse customer base, how to be empathetic and really engage with peoples' primary concerns and fears, and getting comfortable learning more technical things.
Not having one of those internships is not going to define your entire career. Legal employers care much more about how you did in law school, where you went to law school (not just the rank, but depending on the job you're looking at, if it is a well-known school in the area), and activities in law school like your 1L summer internship and any clinic experience. Honestly, they don't care much about your undegrad major, except for a few areas like intellectual property, where having a degree in STEM can be really helpful. But I went to law school with people who had all sorts of majors -- poly sci, history, music, education, pre-med, theology, the list goes on.
As a sophomore in college, the most important thing to focus on is your grades. And the second most important is to get involved in things that *you* care about, not what you think others care about. First, that will be a lot more interesting to you, and second, a lot of law schools and employers look for people with varied backgrounds. Good employers don't just want people who have all done the same exact thing.
There are a lot of steps between where you are now and a job as a lawyer at JP Morgan. While it is great to have a dream and let it guide you, there isn't just one set path to get there. Don't close your eyes to other opportunities just because they don't seem like they fit the path. Those unrelated internships may actually end up being wonderful learning experiences. And almost all organizations have some type of in-house counsel. Even if your internship isn't focused on legal stuff, you might be able to at least get coffee with them and talk about their experiences and career paths.
Not having one of those internships is not going to define your entire career. Legal employers care much more about how you did in law school, where you went to law school (not just the rank, but depending on the job you're looking at, if it is a well-known school in the area), and activities in law school like your 1L summer internship and any clinic experience. Honestly, they don't care much about your undegrad major, except for a few areas like intellectual property, where having a degree in STEM can be really helpful. But I went to law school with people who had all sorts of majors -- poly sci, history, music, education, pre-med, theology, the list goes on.
As a sophomore in college, the most important thing to focus on is your grades. And the second most important is to get involved in things that *you* care about, not what you think others care about. First, that will be a lot more interesting to you, and second, a lot of law schools and employers look for people with varied backgrounds. Good employers don't just want people who have all done the same exact thing.
There are a lot of steps between where you are now and a job as a lawyer at JP Morgan. While it is great to have a dream and let it guide you, there isn't just one set path to get there. Don't close your eyes to other opportunities just because they don't seem like they fit the path. Those unrelated internships may actually end up being wonderful learning experiences. And almost all organizations have some type of in-house counsel. Even if your internship isn't focused on legal stuff, you might be able to at least get coffee with them and talk about their experiences and career paths.
Thanks for your encouragement!
Ashlianne
DENNIS BREEN
Lawyer
224
Answers
Cary, North Carolina
Updated
DENNIS’s Answer
Hi Ashlianne: In New Jersey there are a ton of drug companies . If you want to get into the corporate world go over there now and volunteer to work in the office. Be a gofer. See how things work. MOST (not all) drug companies have scholarship programs. As you work at the company find out if you can apply.
The head lawyer for JP Morgan is in New York. I forget her name. Send her an application - she's a nice person.
Howard has a placement office - work with them. You might wind up in DC but there are worse places.
Just a thought - try to find a start up corporation. Hook up with them. If they succeed you succeed!
No connections is a pain - trust me I know. The lawyer up the block from me would not even sign a bar recommendation for me even though I use to baby sit for his grand child! No connections puts you a little behind but it helps you become more creative! Good luck!
The head lawyer for JP Morgan is in New York. I forget her name. Send her an application - she's a nice person.
Howard has a placement office - work with them. You might wind up in DC but there are worse places.
Just a thought - try to find a start up corporation. Hook up with them. If they succeed you succeed!
No connections is a pain - trust me I know. The lawyer up the block from me would not even sign a bar recommendation for me even though I use to baby sit for his grand child! No connections puts you a little behind but it helps you become more creative! Good luck!
Thank you!
Ashlianne
Ilan Marouani, Esq., LL.M.
Tax Attorney
14
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Ilan’s Answer
Hi Ashlianne,
Unfortunately nowadays network and connections is everything. But do not give up just because you are not connected to anyone yet in that company. It will require some research, spending time emailing people, and probably getting ghosted a few times. But, I would advise you to look up whichever company you are interested in joining, look at the position you are after and who is working there, and reach out to them. Tell them about your passion and your will to work there, ask them to connect, try to create a mentor/mentee relationship, and just try to get as much advice out of them as possible.
It is not going to be easy, but if that is your goal, where you want to end up, you need to push through the barriers, put yourself out there, and just reach for it!
Good luck!!
Unfortunately nowadays network and connections is everything. But do not give up just because you are not connected to anyone yet in that company. It will require some research, spending time emailing people, and probably getting ghosted a few times. But, I would advise you to look up whichever company you are interested in joining, look at the position you are after and who is working there, and reach out to them. Tell them about your passion and your will to work there, ask them to connect, try to create a mentor/mentee relationship, and just try to get as much advice out of them as possible.
It is not going to be easy, but if that is your goal, where you want to end up, you need to push through the barriers, put yourself out there, and just reach for it!
Good luck!!
I'm excited to put your great advice to good use!
Ashlianne
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