Law internships are a great way to gain real-life experience in a law firm that will position you well for future career success. Most internships require completion of the second year of law school and many of them are paid. Serving as an intern provides practical on-the-job experience which enables individuals to apply their education and knowledge of the law, while under the mentorship and direction of experienced legal staff.

Responsibilities for legal interns vary among law firms. Law firms specialize in a particular type of litigation or have multiple departments internally which segment their focus. Internships generally involve legal research and preparing court documents under the direction of an assigned attorney. Research can be based on legal research or policy research depending on the needs of the law firm.

An interesting aspect of law internships is related to responsibilities associated with currently incarcerated inmates. Many inmates seek assistance from lawyers to appeal their cases and interns research the case and prepare a summary document for review by attorneys. They may be required to summarize recent court opinions, news, or other current events that could affect existing cases.

Some of the more mundane tasks associated with law internships relates to the administrative side of the business. Office management, tracking news clippings, monitoring websites, reviewing newswire services, and filing documents may be part of the assigned responsibilities. Although these may appear to be unimportant, they are an effective way to learn more about the legal system and how attorneys operate on a day to day basis.

In addition, many law internships require the interns to research emerging issues, conduct needs assessments, participate in systems designs, and participate in dispute resolution activities. They can gain much experience and exposure by creating surveys, observing courtroom activities, and participating in interviews and attorney meetings.

Law students who participate in law internships are well-trained for a future career in the legal arena. The knowledge they gain and the benefits derived from their internship to the legal firm are extremely valuable.

Searching the Internet for a law internship that fits your education and personal passion is just a click away. Not only will you be enhancing your future career, you’ll be making a difference in the lives of others with your work.

Labels: Internships