Hey everyone – long time no see! I’ve put this blog on the back burner for a while; it’s been a busy year. They say 2L works you harder than ever, and I have to say that has been pretty true in my experience. But I wanted to pop in after another year and write about law school jobs, specifically: how to have a successful summer as a law clerk.
Finding a Job
The most stressful part, especially if you’re a 1L, is the act of finding a job. But if you know where to look, who to ask for help, and focus on staying diligent, you should be able to find something to get you some legal experience. Most law schools have some sort of database where they post jobs for students and alumni – that’s where I found mine! Keep in mind that these are the ones that most students are applying to due to easy access, but don’t let that dissuade you. Instead, focus on making sure you have a great cover letter, resume, and writing sample to keep you competitive. Some jobs don’t even make you submit a transcript, so if your first semester grades didn’t live up to your expectations, don’t fret – there’s so many opportunities for you to take advantage of.
A lot of law students find jobs via networking or through someone they already know. The reality is that a lot of law students aren’t first generation, and if that’s you, then use your already existing legal network to your benefit! There is no shame in being connected to a job by someone you know, maybe a family member, already in the legal field. Trust me, from someone who is first gen, if I had that opportunity you bet I’d take advantage of it. The truth is that getting to where you want is often a combination of luck + hard work + who you know. Don’t feel bad if you’ve been dealt a hand that puts a little more weight on the “who you know” part of the equation – it’s the way the world works and that’s not your fault!
Now if you’re like me and don’t have a pre-existing legal network, this paragraph is for you. I wrote a blog post allll about networking last year, so rather than restate it all, I’m just linking that here. Basically, networking is a great way to build connections that could potentially lead to job opportunities. If you’ve networked with someone in the field you’re interested in, let them know you’re looking and would appreciate any advice and/or leads they might have. There’s no shame in the game of job hunting, and most attorneys have probably been in the same position and will be happy to help.
But let’s assume you just read that and are still feeling shaky, that’s totally fine. Law schools often have academic advisors that you can talk to if you’re still struggling. While your summer experience may not take the form of an explicit “law clerk” job, there’s still so much more you can do if it’s just not playing out. For instance, many professors hire research assistants that work throughout the school year and/or summer to help them with their academic papers. If you clicked well with a professor, that’s a great place to look. Often times the law school library also hires students for summer work – another great idea. Finally, and while this answer isn’t everyone’s favorite, you can also take a volunteer position at a legal aid or nonprofit organization. You might not be paid, but you’ll build connections and it could eventually lead into paid work! In the meantime, if you have the capability, I know plenty of law students who kept their restaurant or retail jobs for their income while also getting legal experience through unpaid work.
Showing Up & Working Hard
Alright, you’ve got your legal work lined up for the summer. Now what? You’ll probably experience some sort of imposter syndrome, anxiety, and the recurring thought, “What if I suck?” And let’s be real, coming out of your 1L year, you may very well “suck” at your job at first, but that’s being a law clerk is all about – LEARNING! Don’t expect to walk in and blow everyone’s minds, that will most likely not be the case. Instead, show up (on time and often), and be coachable. Recognize that you don’t know what you don’t know and be open to anything and everything in terms of assignments.
After my 1L, I got a job that I ended up loving and I’m still at a year later. The attorneys, support staff, and other clerks were so welcoming and so ready to teach that it made my transition easier than I imagine is the case for most. For that I’m super grateful, but I still think I can give some tips if this isn’t your scenario. Most law firms have some sort of document management system where you can access the client matters and the work done for them: this will help you every single day, no matter how long you’ve been around. I’ve never had to draft a complaint, motion, letter, etc. from scratch – there’s always been former client documents for me to look at for relevant caselaw, legal analysis, and formatting. While it’s good to ask questions, you don’t want to be someone who needs their hand held for every assignment, so start digging around on your own and trying to learn before you ask a question that will get you referred to something you could’ve easily accessed yourself! But be aware of time management; obviously if you’re on a tight deadline and need an example quick, it’s probably best to just ask right away. It’s a learning curve, but you’ll quickly get a handle on how each attorney works and what they like, and you’ll find yourself doing fine in no time.
The next piece of advice I have, which has been given to me many a time since I’ve started my job, has been to slow down. You’re a law clerk. You’re not an attorney, you haven’t passed the bar, and you likely have very little real life legal experience. No one is expecting you to be a prodigy and crank out assignments in an hour or less. Now, as someone who likes to turn things around very quickly, this has been the hardest thing for me to learn. But the way I think about it now, and the way I would recommend you think about it too, is that attorneys usually will task with an assignment and give you a deadline that is relatively far in advance of its actual deadline. They don’t want perfection, they want you to give it your best shot. And when I’m giving something my best, that usually means taking a step back every so often before coming back to revise, look for errors, and apply new knowledge. Take the time that an attorney gives you and act as if it’s going to be your name on the signature line before turning it in – this will make all the difference! (This paragraph is mostly personal motivation if you couldn’t tell!)
Enjoy Your Summer!
If you’re anything like me, adjusting to full-time work might be tougher than you expect. But don’t let this stop you from enjoying your summer! Keep in touch with the friends you’ve made during law school, take those weekend trips, and appreciate that you don’t have any law school assignments, midterms, or finals looming in the back of your mind. This time should be fun! You’re getting real experience in the career of your choosing, and that is a privilege. And if it’s not the right fit, you’ve got your whole career ahead of you to figure it out – you’re doing great!
Law Student Balance 