How to become a legal intern

A legal intern is usually a student on a law course hired by a law firm/practise designed to provide practical experience for the student.

This is a great way to gain knowledge ahead of a law career and potentially becoming a fully-fledged lawyer.

You should realise that many legal internships are voluntary in that students do it purely for the purpose of gaining experience, most will not receive any financial compensation for their time spent there.

Role of a legal intern

• Assist lawyers with their work under their guidance
• Learn to research a case
• Tackle current legal issues within the field of law you are specialising in

Requirements

Although law firms are keen to take on interns, most will have stringent requirements for prospective interns.

• Any student studying any branch of law at a law school that has completed at least one semester is eligible to qualify. However, the terms of eligibility may vary depending on the organization employing interns and also the law school where you study.

• Most will want students with great potential. Although most students can apply, the tendency for the organizations involved is to go for with those they feel have the most potential, therefore, you would need to be a high calibre student.

Benefit of getting an internship with a law firm

• Have the chance to work with and learn from lawyers with experience. You may have a lawyer assigned to oversee your progress.

• Great way to receive practical experience to complement theoretical aspects of your course.

Finding legal internship

• For those wishing to work during the summer will need to apply before the December deadline.

• For those wishing to work during term time will need to apply

One good place to start is the U.S. department of Justice. It takes on a staggering 1,800 interns every year to work in various departs (or fields) of law. There are internships available for the summer period and for during school term time.

Luckily, for those going to a law school, many will find their law school has some kind of working relationship with local law firms that will take on some of their students as interns.

However, a student may prefer to find their own placement to meet the specific area of law they are studying.

The application procedure

• Apply to various law firms that specialise in the area you are studying.

• You need to send off a resume with a detailed piece of written paper, the exact nature of which will be explained to you by the organization.

• You will also need to send off your law school transcript.

This case study provides the experience of one legal intern. Hopefully, this will provide a guide on what to expect as legal intern as far as the work conditions, the type of experience you gain expect to gain, etc.