Succeeding in Your Internship

• Arrive to work on time and clarify expectations about your working hours and communication methods (phone, email, Microsoft teams) at the outset of your position

• Respect busy schedules and show a willingness to plan around others’ availabilities 

• Meet all deadlines – if you need more time to complete an assignment or need assistance, ask well in advance

• Do not take excessive breaks or leave early without permission from a supervisor

• Work pleasantly and effectively with everyone, from higher-ups to support staff to fellow interns

• Make sure submitted work is polished, even if it is a draft, and attribute and cite properly

• Don’t overpromise and say yes to everything, know your limitations

• Consider using the same time management tools you use for law school (planner, Google calendar, etc.)

• Prioritize urgent matters

• Write down your assignments and repeat back your understanding of the assignment

• Use other co-workers as a resource (“X gave me this assignment. Do you know what they are usually looking for?”)

Asking Questions

• Listen carefully to understand assignments and ask clarification questions at the outset:

  • 1. Who is it for

    2. The type and length expected (e.g. formal legal memo or email; bullet points or full paragraphs)

    3. Any underlying facts or client/case history, or where you can find information

    4. Ask for examples

    5. If it has a hard deadline and must be finished by the date given

• Ask follow up questions as necessary, consolidate all questions into a single email or meeting when possible

Email Etiquette

• Make sure emails do not contain typos

• Use formal greetings (e.g. Dear Ms./Mr./Mx./Attorney/Prof. Jones)

• Address subsequent emails by whatever name is provided in a response

• Include all relevant recipients in a single email

Work Conversations

• Thank others in the office who take the time to answer questions or give feedback

• Speak positively about co-workers, supervisors, support staff, and the office mission as a whole

• Avoid complaining about the work

• Accept assignments eagerly with a willingness to learn and contribute

• Check in during projects to confirm direction of work

• Review bios and reach out to showcase interest (“I’d love to hear more about…”) 

• Explore available resources

• Take ownership of mistakes and avoid repeating them 

• Request feedback to help in your professional development

• Red-lining documents is an opportunity to understand and learn – ask to see the final version

• Give yourself grace and be kind to yourself

• Introduce yourself and get to know your co-workers

• Build relationships and invite others to lunch/coffee

  • • Prepare for these conversations by researching the attorney's practice area and law school as well as finding common interests (i.e. owning a dog)

• Participate in extracurricular activities and employer social events

• Learn about the office’s dress standards from the Human Resources Department or internship coordinator, or from a past student intern who has worked in that office

• In the absence of any other information, wear business attire the first day with comfortable shoes in case you walk more than you expect

• If you are attending court, wear a suit or have one available at the office

• Maintain personal hygiene

• Google yourself 

• Create and maintain a LinkedIn profile

• Remove inappropriate content and assume employers can access your online information, even if hidden behind privacy settings

• Do not post anything about your employer, job, co-workers, clients, witnesses, etc.

• Connect with permanent staff, supervisor and/or hiring contacts via LinkedIn if their consent is given