4 answers
Armen
Student
Glendale, California
1
Question
Updated
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How can I get experience at a law firm while I’m studying in college?
I’m currently a college student interested in pursuing a career in law. I want to start gaining real experience in the legal field while I’m still in school, but I’m not sure where to begin. I don’t have formal experience yet, but I’m motivated to learn how law firms operate and what types of roles college students can take on before applying to law school. Any advice on internships, part-time opportunities, or ways to get involved in the legal field would be really helpful.
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4 answers
Baljit Gill
tutor
47
Answers
Milpitas, California
Updated
Baljit’s Answer
Hi Armen,
It's exciting that you want to study and work in law. While in law school, consider becoming a Summer Associate. This role is for students in their second or third year who work at a law firm. You would:
- Conduct legal research
- Participate in client interviews and depositions
- Attend court sessions
- Draft legal memorandums and briefs
This position typically lasts 8-12 weeks and often includes a salary. Best of luck!
It's exciting that you want to study and work in law. While in law school, consider becoming a Summer Associate. This role is for students in their second or third year who work at a law firm. You would:
- Conduct legal research
- Participate in client interviews and depositions
- Attend court sessions
- Draft legal memorandums and briefs
This position typically lasts 8-12 weeks and often includes a salary. Best of luck!
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1085
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Armen,
It's great that you want to get some experience in the legal field under your belt before you make decisions about your future direction. Since you don't have any qualifications yet, I would recommend to look for administrative jobs in a law firm, e.g. as a receptionist, legal secretary, office administrator or data entry clerk. You won't be able to work on cases yet, but you'll experience how law firms work. You might be able to get on-the-job training to take on more responsibilities over time.
If you find a job in a law firm, you'll have a source of income during your studies, a person (or several) who can write a letter of recommendation for you, and ideally you'll find a mentor for your future career in law.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
It's great that you want to get some experience in the legal field under your belt before you make decisions about your future direction. Since you don't have any qualifications yet, I would recommend to look for administrative jobs in a law firm, e.g. as a receptionist, legal secretary, office administrator or data entry clerk. You won't be able to work on cases yet, but you'll experience how law firms work. You might be able to get on-the-job training to take on more responsibilities over time.
If you find a job in a law firm, you'll have a source of income during your studies, a person (or several) who can write a letter of recommendation for you, and ideally you'll find a mentor for your future career in law.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Chief Dykes
Remote Legal Transcriber
1
Answer
Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Updated
Chief’s Answer
Consider volunteering at a law firm on the days you don't have class.
Amber Lee
Tax Associate
84
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Amber’s Answer
Hi Armen,
Aside from getting an administrative position at a law firm, which is an excellent way to gain hands on experience and learn the ins and outs of law firm operations, you could also get a position / volunteer with the local bar association. You're likely not going to be doing any substantive legal work, but you will still be in close proximity to those who do practice law and you can attend events sponsored by the association like seminars, networking events, etc. You can also help out with their pro bono clinics. One of the clinics I was involved in had a college student on the team who assisted with client intake and language translation during consultations (the clinic served the local Chinese community but not all the attorneys who volunteered could speak the language(s)). If I remember correctly, she was also aiming to go to law school and was using this opportunity to get involved in the legal field early on.
You may also try your luck at getting an internship at a court. I think these opportunities may be rare but sometimes they do exist so it doesn't hurt to reach out to the judges' law clerks and inquire about these opportunities.
Best of luck to you!
Aside from getting an administrative position at a law firm, which is an excellent way to gain hands on experience and learn the ins and outs of law firm operations, you could also get a position / volunteer with the local bar association. You're likely not going to be doing any substantive legal work, but you will still be in close proximity to those who do practice law and you can attend events sponsored by the association like seminars, networking events, etc. You can also help out with their pro bono clinics. One of the clinics I was involved in had a college student on the team who assisted with client intake and language translation during consultations (the clinic served the local Chinese community but not all the attorneys who volunteered could speak the language(s)). If I remember correctly, she was also aiming to go to law school and was using this opportunity to get involved in the legal field early on.
You may also try your luck at getting an internship at a court. I think these opportunities may be rare but sometimes they do exist so it doesn't hurt to reach out to the judges' law clerks and inquire about these opportunities.
Best of luck to you!