If you're a paralegal, law student or recent graduate looking to gain experience at a law firm, you might be wondering, what do interns at law firms do?
Interning at a law firm can provide a launchpad for a successful law career as you build vital, real-world experience alongside legal professionals.
Understanding what's expected of you as an intern and impressing your superiors is crucial to cementing your future at the firm. Here, we'll explore the tasks you might complete and give advice on how to make a significant impact during your internship.
So, what do interns at law firms do?
It's much more than coffee-grabbing and document-sorting. Interning at a law firm is your chance to get a real taste of the legal world and gain priceless hands-on experience in a work environment.
However, if you have ambitions to cement a long-term future at your firm (or any other firm, for that matter), it's vital to understand what's expected of you and how to impress.
While the specifics will differ from firm to firm, here are a few tasks you may encounter as a law firm intern.
Legal research and analysis
One of the primary responsibilities of an intern at a law firm will typically be extensive legal research. The firm will have several ongoing cases at any given time, and it'll be your job to dig deep into case law, regulations, statutes and legal precedents to support the firm's case.
To conduct this task successfully, you'll need a keen eye for detail and the ability to synthesise large batches of complex information.
Drafting legal documents
Often an exciting task for a new intern, you'll likely be given the opportunity to draft legal documents such as contracts, memos and briefs.
While your work will be reviewed and edited by senior attorneys, it's still a prime opportunity to impress the longer-standing members of your firm.
