By: Harmony Decosimo
One of the greatest compliments I receive from students at the end of 1L year is that because of our LPS class, they feel “so much more confident” to tackle their summer internships. And they should! The goal of the Legal Practice Skills Program is to equip our students with the practical skills they need to do excellent work in their real jobs, in the real world.
Even so, by the end of the semester, energy is low and the thought of doing “real” legal work is daunting. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, go into the summer without the right mindset or set of goals, and fail to make the most of the experience. So as the exam period wraps up, here are a few practical and hard-earned tips to not only survive but thrive in that exciting summer law job.
- Now’s the time to use those Skills. I’ll never forget meeting with an important Big Law partner during my 1L summer to discuss my writing. The first thing she asked was, “Weren’t you taught the basic memo format in law school? You know, the one with the question and answer up front?” In my panic to please the partner, I’d reinvented the wheel instead of using the organizational and analytical skills I’d been taught in my Legal Writing course. Trust me, dear reader, I didn’t make the same mistake again, and neither should you!
- Seek clarity on your work product. The previous tip notwithstanding, never assume you know what your supervisor wants – and never assume they will tell you! It’s your job to be proactive and gather this intel. When would they like to see your work? What format (email, oral report, traditional memo)? Is there a source, precedent, or associate they’d recommend you consult? And the list goes on. Be sure you are clear on the assignment’s parameters and details, and take notes when you ask your questions. Brilliant students have stumbled by failing to heed this advice.
- Never turn in a draft. You may be told that a draft “is fine.” And it is – if you think of a “draft” as an assignment that is worth a significant portion of your total grade! Never turn in work that is sloppy, unedited, poorly formatted, or incomplete. You would be much better off asking for more time.
- Remember that the interview is never over. For better or worse, you will be evaluated all summer long, whether for a long-term offer, or entry into a more expansive professional network. So, if you wouldn’t do it during an important interview, don’t do it over the summer (I’m looking at you, happy hour). Be respectful to every person you work with, all the time, and if you err, let it be on the side of formality and professionalism. On the flipside, do your own “interviewing.” Reflect regularly on whether this the kind of place you’d want to work, the kind of practice you’d like to build, the kind of work that makes you happy. This is vital information for your future satisfaction as a lawyer.
- Network, network, network! The most valuable part of your summer job will be the relationships you make. Take every opportunity to meet with your supervisors or colleagues to get to know them and learn more about their lives and career trajectories. Do the same with your co-clerks. These relationships are critical when it comes to finding a job, building your client base, or getting sound advice. But more than that, they will enrich your life and work, in many cases blossoming into cherished friendships.
Harmony Decosimo teaches Legal Practice Skills at Suffolk University Law School. Prior to joining Suffolk, Professor Decosimo practiced at Dechert LLP as an associate in the white collar & securities litigation group, and taught legal writing at Boston University Law School.