Shadowing

Every one of our attorneys is often physically in the courtroom and litigating cases. At least one day per week each intern will be expected to shadow an attorney at the courthouse.  During this time, the intern is to observe and assist the assigned attorney. It is important for the intern to experience the courtroom skills of a trial attorney as well as to familiarize themselves with the real-world legal process with all its adventures as well as monotony. It is also during this time the intern can ask questions about processes or courthouse policies and politics.

Shadowing may also include attending trials as they are calendared. These dates and times differ, so the intern must always be prepared to attend a trial with a Firm attorney at very short notice. We expect each intern to dress as an attorney for court every day.

If we have a definite trial scheduled that will be reached, we expect the intern to review the file and the motions, and assist in the preparation of the motions to be used in the case. It is so much more helpful for a student to see the outcome of trial prep come to fruition in a case rather than being involved in disjointed parcels.

Legal Research Projects

Each intern is expected to collaborate on several legal research and/or drafting projects. These projects consist of researching selected topics in both our criminal and civil practice areas and drafting actual complaints and motions. Whenever the case moves fast enough, it is beneficial for an intern to take the opportunity to watch the hearing or trial unfold where they have worked on pleadings or research. In many instances, interns return during the school year to watch the fruits of their labor in the courtroom.

Administrative Tasks

Each intern will begin their internship working for and with our receptionists and paralegals so they can be trained in how we store and file our documents. They need to be assimilated quickly and efficiently into our system so they can assist any attorney with little to no notice. Additionally, we as a Firm believe effective leaders are willing and able to do the hard and sometimes thankless work of support as well as step into command positions. Therefore, every intern will be expected to spend 8 hours per week working at the front desk or with a paralegal. This includes performing various reception duties such as helping to answer incoming calls, assisting clients, filing, and scheduling appointments. Further, interns will be expected to help all staff members with various projects that may arise within the course and scope of their duties. This can include dropping off subpoenas, going to the post office, having legal documents filed at the clerk’s office, and any number of various and sundry other tasks.

Ultimately, we expect the intern, just as we expect every team member including attorneys, to be willing to assist with any duty that any employee in the Firm would be called upon to do. So that our interns grow into successful attorneys and leaders in their own right, one of our attorneys will conduct periodic performance reviews with each individual on a regular basis. These are designed to improve performance and product only rather than critique the intern personally. However, we will be deliberately watching to see how well each intern works with the rest of the team since it is only that which allows the whole system to work in harmony and with synergy.

New Client Intake

It is important for interns to observe and participate in our new client intake process with attorneys in each practice area. This will allow each intern to not only gain more knowledge in each practice area but also learn valuable sales strategies and techniques. Each intern will be expected to sit in on five intakes in at least two practice areas. They will be expected to keep track of this on a weekly basis by updating a log in the Cloud to be reviewed by both their supervising attorney and Mr. Dummit, using a worksheet that records the date, client name, type of case, and a summary of what was new and/or different about this intake and interview process. These submissions should be short critiques and summaries, not arduous write-ups. However, as they will be reviewed, attention to detail, grammar, and timely submissions will be imperative. Interns will be expected to keep up with their worksheets for the duration of the internship.

Presentations

Once at the halfway point, and once near the completion of the program, each intern will need to prepare a brief 5 to 10-minute presentation on what the intern has learned or become disillusioned by during their time with us. Additionally, at the end of their internship, each individual will give the final presentation of their legal research projects and sit in with the appropriate parties for an exit interview.