Although law school typically takes a break during the summer, it doesn’t mean that students don’t take advantage of the opportunity to gain experience and learn more about this profession. During the summer, internships are an ideal way for students to gain this experience.
As a law student, you should be aware that different types of legal internships are available to you. In this article, we’ll talk about these and how they can be the right fit for you.
Legal Internship
Several legal and educational institutions, such as law schools, paralegal programs, and legal secretarial schools, require that students complete an internship to graduate. Although some of these programs don’t pay their interns, most allow students to earn credits. These programs provide opportunities to gain real-world experience by working in various areas of the legal profession. Licensed attorneys and faculty members usually supervise them.
Although your school’s career center is the best place to start looking for an internship, other websites, such as internet sites, can also provide you with valuable information about the various types of internships available.
- Judicial Clerkships
One of the most popular law school internships is the judicial clerkship. This type of position allows students to understand the workings of federal and state courts. It’s also very challenging and provides them with an excellent resume booster.
The judicial intern’s duties include reviewing appeals-related documents, analyzing case law, and drafting opinions and bench memoranda. They also prepare briefing materials for oral arguments and make recommendations regarding matters on appeal.
To be considered for a judicial internship, students should have exceptional writing and research skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and sound judgment. They should also have a superior academic record.
The federal judicial clerkships are more prestigious than the state court clerkships. These positions are also more competitive. The US Supreme Court is one of the most prestigious organizations regarding hiring and retaining judicial clerks.
- Legal Clinics
Students can gain practical experience through legal clinics by working in real-world settings. These allow third and second-year law students to apply the lessons they’ve learned in class to law practice. A practicing attorney or faculty member supervises clinics.
Clinics can provide various services, such as representing children in juvenile court, performing real estate transactions for Habitat for Humanity, and drafting wills for elderly clients. Clinics are also a good alternative for students who cannot afford to take time away from their academic schedule to pursue an internship.
- Externships
Law students can gain real-world experience outside of the classroom through an externship. This type of program allows them to work in various areas of interest. For instance, students interested in working in the healthcare industry can perform an externship at a hospital’s in-house legal department.
Students in an externship are usually supervised by a licensed attorney who will assign specific tasks and provide feedback and oversight. Full-time faculty members or staff members can also offer supervision.
Although an externship might provide financial compensation, most of these programs are also offered for credit. Through an externship, students can make valuable contacts in the legal profession and gain a deeper understanding of law practice.
- Summer Clerkships
Summer clerkships are typically the highlight of law school for many aspiring attorneys. They are the ticket to a job at some of the country’s most prestigious law firms. Due to the limited number of opportunities, many students cannot secure a summer clerkship. Many firms that hire summer clerks rely on their academic performance and experience.
Most summer clerkships start during the second year of a law student’s academic year. They end at the end of the summer. Some programs may also be offered during the school year. Although most summer clerkships are held in large law firms, other opportunities can also be found in various small and mid-sized businesses.
In large law firms, summer clerkships can be very demanding since they usually involve extensive research and writing. This work is more accessible than lengthy projects delegated to junior attorneys. Some major corporations and firms that hire summer clerks have programs that include regular reviews and social events.