are legal clinics acceptable 1L work experience? Forum

[mollie]

Struck out for 1L jobs, but my school offers a legal clinic that 1Ls can participate in over the summer (supervised externship type deal). Is that acceptable legal experience or should I try for something else?

[vanwinkle]

Struck out for 1L jobs, but my school offers a legal clinic that 1Ls can participate in over the summer (supervised externship type deal). Is that acceptable legal experience or should I try for something else?

I've always been told that the goal is to get legal experience over the summer, and that for 1L the important thing is to have legal work of some sort. I talked to my school's Innocence Clinic about working there this summer before I found an outside job. I think you'll be okay.

[Herb Watchfell]

Some legal aid clinics provide exceptional training in practical matters and help you establish a relationship with clinical faculty (think rec letters!). Sure, it's not the most prestigious thing in the legal world, but it's a great conversation piece (think Fall interviews!) and it's better than no experience. I'd say it's most definitely an acceptable source of employment.

Good Luck!

[reverendt]

Absolutely.
I worked at a legal aid clinic (it was an externship though my school) last summer and it was a great experience. I learned more about being a lawyer there then I learned in all of 1L. I interviewed clients, negotiated with PFA defendants in court, drafted custody and divorce complaints...it was all very practical, hands on stuff.

The goal of 1L summer is to get any kind of real world legal experience. If you can get paid or get something prestigious like working for a judge...bonus. But a clinic is fine...it will show interviewers during 2L that you did something to advance yourself over the summer.

[rando]

+1 to all above.

[thuggishruggishbone]

I guess it's a step up from summer school, though i'm not sure how employers will ultimately view it.