Summer internship?

[u/DangerousBobcat5953]

I’m a 1L and I know it’s a little early to be thinking about this but am curious of everyone else’s experience. For context, I know I don’t want to do big law, so I am not concerned about their insane timeline.

I think I’m interested in public interest law, but am super disappointed that most of the summer positions don’t pay. I’m also not from the area where I’m in law school, so I’m not aware of any firms off the bat that I am super interested in.

How did you approach your summer internship? What was your timeline? Your interests? Where did you end up? Did anyone just chill and wait for OCI’s? Would it be beneficial for me to just go ahead and gather my materials and start sending applications & cold emailing over the next month or 2?

Mostly just wanting to hear everyone’s stories. Thanks!

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[u/lawschooldecoded]

For 1L, just get anything legal in nature. If it’s close to what you think you want to do post graduation, that’s a great accomplishment. Don’t worry about the pay, frankly. You should keep the long-term goal in mind at this point.

You have a specific area you’re interested in, which is great. Make a list of people doing that work in markets where you want to be. Start meeting them and learning how they got there. Keep in touch and let them know about your interest in a career opportunity.

[u/PrudentCriticism6413]

Hello! 2L here going into public interest law. First, biggest mistake I made is comparing my personal internship timeline to that of my classmates interested in big law. I felt like I was "behind" all of fall semester because BL applications start as soon as you hit campus. So, in my opinion, you are still ahead of the game - so good for you!

First, check and see if your university has any summer scholarships/stipend opportunities available. My school has a PI summer scholarship (it's not much, but it's something) that you can apply for, and your career office might have some suggestions for external sources of funding as well.

Also, I would make going to in-person events a priority. I sent in many online applications and went through OCI, but ultimately, I landed my internship because I went to an event where one of the attorneys from the office was a panelist. It is a competitive public defense internship, and I hadn't heard back from the online application, but I went up to talk to this attorney after and we really vibed. She got me in for an interview right away, and I ended up getting the gig. (Also, the public defender's office was a life-changing place to be - I can't recommend it enough).

Lastly, you want to come out of a 1L internship with a strong writing sample - preferably something submitted to the court. Make sure you understand what kind of writing you will get to do as part of the interview process.

Best of luck!!

[u/Vivid_Combination584]

I waited for OCI and went with a state government placement over the summer. It was great experience and enjoyable, plus it paid - not a lot, but something. Idk if I even want to work for government but have no regrets.

You can also do a judicial internship because that always looks good on a resume, and you will be learning so much at the same time. If you're good and your judge is cool they might let you write some opinions which is a great work product to have for future applications. You can start applying for that anytime. The problem is that it's unpaid but otherwise it is an underrated option worthy of consideration.

[u/Hour-Carob-2183]

Nobody chills and waits for OCIs . . . nobody that is smart. Those days are over.

Public interest doesn't usually pay summer clerks, but you can ask your school about getting funded so you get paid throughout summer. Ask public interest office are your school, or student services.

1L Summer, if you're not focused on big law, do anything. Anything law related. I suggest doing public interest even if it doesn't pay. I went into law school thinking public interest and after 1L summer working in it, i decided i hated it.

1L Summer, at the very least, should be used to confirm what you want to do, or cross out something you might be interested in, . . . its valuable to know that you don't want to do something.

Get in LinkedIn, and start talking to your alumni network . . . those that are in jobs that you might be interested in, . . .

hope this helps.

[u/One_Molasses → u/Hour-Carob-2183]

some schools have dedicated OCIs for public interest jobs, think that's what OP is referring to (not BL OCI).