Internships in Law Firms

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>I'm a sophomore currently at UC Berkeley, double majoring in Economics and history. I want to work in a law firm in my hometown this summer, but I am unsure as to how to obtain an internship actively. By this I mean that I want to work in firms that don't normally recruit interns, considering my hometown isn't a large city. (I normally do NOT live in California.)</p>

<p>I do know that my neighbor works for the county and is an assistant DA.</p>

<p>My questions are as follows:
Should I write emails to private, small firms or visit the county courthouse regarding an internship? Which would you recommend? Should I ask for help from my neighbor? </p>

<p>Should I request pay or not? I guess this seems silly if they aren't advertising, but if they ARE requesting interns, then should I? (I do know that some firms will pay you later, even if you're not supposed to be paid.) How many hours should I work a week if I am not requesting pay?</p>

2

<p>If it's a private practice, I would think they should give a stipend, or a transportation stipend at least. And if it really is unpaid, I think <20 hours a week is enough. I mean, the experience is invaluable, but they can't expect you to work full-time for free (although agencies like Dept of State do). Anyways, you should definitely ask for help from your neighbor and see if there's any openings in the office of the DA. If not, if he (or she) has heard of anything or has any leads. It's a great place to start. Good luck!</p>