What Is a Legal Intern?
Legal interns, often law students or law school graduates, undertake a variety of assignments in the course of their tenure through all types of firms, corporations, and businesses. They may conduct research, write reports and correspondence, and help to draft pleadings and other documents for attorneys. They might also have opportunities to observe client meetings, depositions, and trials. Many times, they are responsible for maintaining and organizing files, preparing documents for filing with the court and managing trial exhibits, evidence, and demonstratives. It is common for legal interns to assist in all aspects of case preparation and have significant hands-on participation in all areas of the organization , as appropriate and directed by supervising attorneys.
Legal interns are often asked to undergo research into legal issues, case law, statutes, and rulings. Research tasks can range from simple correspondence to detailed, complex federal litigation. Legal interns are responsible for reporting research results concisely and clearly, usually through written reports. When assigned research tasks, legal interns are expected to follow instructions carefully with attention to detail and formatting. Soliciting and responding to feedback is an important part of the internship, and interns should be receptive to improving their work product.
Necessary Skills and Qualifications
Employers typically look for either a completed or anticipated Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and completion of at least one year of law school or an equivalent combination of education and experience, as well as knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of applications. A strong candidate will possess outstanding reading comprehension, analytical reasoning and verbal communication skills. They will also need to be detailed-oriented and able to quickly and effectively identify and resolve problems. To succeed, they must be flexible; demonstrate excellent interpersonal and organizational skills; maintain a professionalism and professional appearance; treat everyone with respect; and maintain confidentiality.
Daily Responsibilities and Learning Experiences
Traditional office duties
Though it might go without saying, if you’re hiring a law student as an intern, realize that they are going to have to do some traditional office work.
Updates to the firm’s CRM system.
Filing, organizing and handling documents.
Receiving and directing calls.
Providing copies of documents to clients for review/court filings.
Filing documents with the court.
Cross referencing invoices against prior retainer checks received in the same amount from a client.
Conveyance of contact information, fees, payments, etc. to lawyers and paralegals.
Emailing scanning to other lawyers and paralegals for filing into their document management system.
You get it.
Even though young people are typically tech-savvy, familiarize interns with all the electronic tools your office uses, so they can add value using these tools, and don’t leave anything out.
Other routine office duties:
Attending staff meetings or annual retreats.
Attending networking events, luncheons, conferences, panel discussions, and other events with lawyers where they will interact with clients and friends of the firm.
Research the judges and courthouses where the firm has cases. You’ll be surprised at what you learn about what goes on in the halls and courtrooms.
The more routine duties you give the legal intern, the more they will feel like a member of your firm, rather than "the intern," enabling you to delegate more important work to them.
Dealing with clients
Interns can also be a face for the firm to clients, so prepare them for regular interactions and what type of questions they will ask/what kind of information they will need to relay to your clients.
In the firm, interns will oftentimes come into contact with clients to conduct interviews or obtain and provide information to help with casework, or they may be asked to attend client meetings or appearances. Interns should also receive updates on cases they have worked on, so they can see their contributions to the case from the law firm’s perspective and gain insight into how the firm keeps contact and records.
Some examples of client-related interactions your intern may have:
Contact client and arrange appointment for conference.
Pick up file and documents from courthouse and deliver to client.
Provide a follow-up call to a client regarding their case.
Audit bills soon after they are sent, in case they have questions or disputes to discuss.
Research and arrange details for a deposition or trial outside the firm’s home city.
Call a client to reassure them about a case they are worried about.
Invite a client to a roundtable discussion, seminar, lunch or other social event.
Convey a settlement offer, seek a counteroffer and relay the client’s wishes to your lawyer.
Give a call or email reminder to a client about an upcoming appearance or bill.
Mail a follow-up letter to a client with documents and info they need to know.
Reassure a client who calls about a case that the lawyer is dealing with their concerns and keep them posted on progress.
Advantages of a Legal Internship
A legal internship goes beyond drafted agreements and research; it often lays the groundwork for an aspiring law professional’s future career path. From a comprehensive understanding of the job, candidate’s discover opportunities for further education and growth.
Legal internships offer first-hand experience and a supportive environment in which to hone skills and learn from mistakes. Interns display the real world situation where breaches of contracts, negligence, and other legal failings occur. In short, they practice the law before they even graduate!
Building a network is another benefit a legal internship provides for budding professionals . Relationships formed while interning may help land a permanent position, provide valuable resources in the future, and create a social circle within the industry.
Finally, a legal internship demonstrates commitment to the field. Often, a law firm or office will offer to sponsor an intern for the LSAT or other exam if they plan to pursue a law degree – a great return on investment!
Taking on a legal internship, or "mini law school," is a no-brainer for those interested in a career in this area. It’s a great way to find out if you will truly enjoy the field, make informed decisions about your future, and make invaluable contacts.
Writing an Ideal Job Description
For any job description, be sure to include what a typical workday will look like and who the intern will be reporting to. The combination of these two things should answer the question of whether this position is a right fit for the person you are targeting. You also want to include what the intern’s responsibilities will be – some typical areas of focus are case/bio reviews, interviewing doctors, preparing documents, completing general clerical tasks, and attending court hearings and depositions. It is also always a good idea to be very clear as to what is required from the intern versus what is optional. This will take some of the pressure off of the intern while also making it clear that there are opportunities for what I like to call "extra credit" – times when the intern can get a little creative or try something new in hopes of impressing you. Additionally, it is perfectly acceptable to include information about meals and whether or not there will be overtime pay available for late-night or weekend work , as availability and income will often be major concerns for law students. Another area of focus should be the qualifications required by potential candidates. A clear indication of the level of experience you are seeking can be helpful to applicants on the fence about whether they are "qualified" for the position. Be straightforward in listing whether you expect the intern to be a 1L, 2L, or 3L, and likewise for necessary GPA requirements and prior positions. That being said, in my opinion, it is absolutely unnecessary to request prior legal experience when recruiting rising 2Ls and 3Ls. There are multitudes of clinics and volunteer internships that rising 2Ls/3Ls with no prior legal experience can list on their resumes, and asking them to have legal experience is simply a deterrent. You will also want to highlight your firm’s culture and what it takes to thrive at your practice. Does your firm provide mentorship opportunities for interns? Will a larger-than-average caseload require a great deal of motivation and adaptability? Make it clear who the driving force is behind your firm’s culture and which types of personalities tend to flourish at your practice. It is important to note here that interning at a law firm is probably new territory for your candidate and they will likely be relying heavily on your job description as a guidepost to determine if this is the right fit.