<p>Does anybody know how exactly to go about getting an internship in a law office? Do you just email/call the office and see if they need interns?</p>
<p>Also, are internships at law offices usually paid or unpaid?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance</p>
<p>It's really difficult to get an internship at a law office if you're looking for a big firm because they usually hire law school students. What you can do is call/email smaller private practices or work for a non-profit. Some small practices hire unpaid interns but they usually do assistant/secretary duties. If you work for a non-profit like a legal aid, you get a lot more responsibility and freedom I think. I work for domestic violence agencies as a legal advocate and I get to work with clients on my own, one on one. I write declarations, fill out legal forms, explain the procedures and am able to accompany them to court. Plus it's much more fulfilling and engaging!</p>
<p>Good luck with your search.</p>
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Does anybody know how exactly to go about getting an internship in a law office? Do you just email/call the office and see if they need interns?
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<p>That's a possibility. Also, if you are a law student, you should go to your school's career office. Same applies if you are an undergrad, but it will also help if you can finagle your way into a law school career office.</p>
<p>I would second the recommendation of using the career office at your school. I secured a two week Winter Break externship at a law office through a program at my (undergrad) career center. They also usually have job postings, as well, and with the summer there tends to be a lot of temp positions that could at least get your foot in the door. </p>
<p>Never underestimate alumni connections! My externship was with an alum (I didn't do much but I observed a ton). Also, I secured an internship for this summer in DC at a large business litigation firm. I would never have gotten this offer if an alum (a current paralegal and law student whom I have never met) hadn't forwarded my resume to her boss. (go bears =] ) </p>
<p>Oh, and as an undergrad you probably will not get paid for an internship, although temps and part-time asst/recep/etc have a better chance.</p>
<p>It's ridiculously difficult for you to get a job at a law firm, as an UG, unless you've got good connections. I received an offer from Baker Botts, (V50 or so, not quite sure), but I applied to about 20-30 firms.</p>
<p>What I did is I emailed/cold-called a ton of the firms on Vault T100 expressing interest, added my resume. Most didn't really respond, and about 10-15 sent applications. I sent in those applications and received 2 interviews, one at Baker Botts and another at a V10 Firm. </p>
<p>If you're looking for a job, you had better be persistent and be ready to be discouraged. They're just not looking for UGrads, esp. 3 month rentals.</p>
<p>Also, I did all of this in early Septemberish. The earlier the better.</p>
<p>^thanks for the advice...so you applied for summer internships the Sept. before summer?</p>
<p>Call every single small to medium sized law offices in your community and offer your services -trust me, you'll get an internship.
Law offices are extrememly busy (all that paper) and they are akways looking for interns who are willing to roll up those shirt sleeves and work!</p>
<p>^Thanks for your advice and encouragement. But, how would i find out all the law firms in my area? Would you suggest going through the yellow pages? Thanks</p>
<p>I don't know whether libraries have Martindale Hubbell on CD rom or not - if they do, that is the best way to search. If not, go to this website - </p>
<p><a href="http://www.martindale.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.martindale.com/</a> </p>
<p>and do an advanced search for firms in a particular city or county. The CD rom is easier because you can search for various size firms.</p>