forgotten at internship firm Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm a 0L working at a rather large firm's office in my local (secondary) market, and while I don't necessarily want to return next summer, it is possible that I would want to work in their NY office next year. So here's the thing: they don't ask me to do anything. I've been here for over a week, gotten and completed one small assignment, and nothing else has come down the pipeline so far. Basically, I've spent countless paid hours sitting in my office browsing the internet waiting for work.

My guess is that it feels so unethical because it is, but I'm not sure where to go with this. Definitely don't want to be branded the slacker, but also don't want to be branded the annoying kid who won't leave the partners alone. Of possible relevance, the firm's executive partner is a close friend of my father's boss (who got me this job and is something of a family friend)...I've sort of gotten the impression that I'm only there because the EP told them to give me a job for a month before I start LS.

So, should I go start begging partners for something to do, or should I just chill?

Anonymous because it would be far too easy to piece this all together in my office, and username only makes it completely obvious.

[pjo]

Have you ever worked in a law firm before? What type of firm are you at? Is there anything you think you might be able to do that you've seen someone else there doing?

FWIW: I'm also an 0L. I've worked at a small firm for 4 years now. I actually do quite a bit there now but in my first summer I didn't do much of anything. You just don't really know enough and no one really has the time to show you how to do stuff. I mean, I actually supervise two other interns, one is a 1L, and I do A LOT more than her every day. It's just like any job in that you have to learn the ins and outs by watching ppl do stuff then just start doing it on your own until you just see things and know what has to be done. You're right, I would continue asking for stuff to do, but def. not to the point where you're annoying. I mean there's ALWAYS mail to sort, no matter what size firm you're at. Try asking legal assistants/paralegals if they need any help rather than asking the attorneys (paralegals do more of the grunt work anyway).

[Jarndyce]

Just stay there. You are clearly there because of your connections. Nothing wrong with that. You get a nice line on your resume and they get the option to distribute work to you. Don't quit and don't raise a negative scene- then, you just lose a possible reference/ employer (albeit a pretty bad sounding employer).

[vyelps]

Why are you only asking partners for work? Go ask associates and paralegals. It shows initiative and gives you exposure to the kind of work that the firm does.

[Anonymous User]

Agreed. Im a 1L who is interning at a law firm for free. In the beginning, they either dont trust you enough or don't have time to show you how to do the work. Sometimes it takes longer for them to explain the work than to just do it themselves.

Also, ask if ther eis anything you can help them with, but dont bother them 24/7 about it. It also depends on department too. Some departments have a tendency to cuddle you and "mother" you by holding your hand. Other departments have a sink or swim philosophy. So if you don't understand how to d othe work, then they will give it to someone else.

Lastly, thank them for work. Honestly, as a 0L/1L, we don't know enough to do a lot of the work that needs to be done. They are doing you a favor by giving you work!

Just stay there. You are clearly there because of your connections. Nothing wrong with that. You get a nice line on your resume and they get the option to distribute work to you. Don't quit and don't raise a negative scene- then, you just lose a possible reference/ employer (albeit a pretty bad sounding employer).

[ggocat]

So here's the thing: they don't ask me to do anything. I've been here for over a week, gotten and completed one small assignment, and nothing else has come down the pipeline so far. Basically, I've spent countless paid hours sitting in my office browsing the internet waiting for work.

...

So, should I go start begging partners for something to do, or should I just chill?

Three general types of employees: (1) people who actively try to do as little as possible, (2) people who only do what they are asked, and (3) people who take initiative and seek out work.

You need to be #3. You can't wait around for people to hand you work. Those are the people who get Lathamed first.

But as another poster said, you should not be asking partners for work. TBH, there is very little that you can do for a partner as a 0L. There is plenty you can do to help out paralegals and legal assistants (and maybe new associates). Copies need to be made, documents need to be organized, mailings need to be prepared, and simple letters need to be drafted. Once you can prove to a paralegal/associate that you are competent enough to not screw up simple tasks, they will give you more complex things to do.

I had a 0L internship in biglaw. I started out making copies and organizing documents. By the end I was doing limited doc review (something that new associates and experienced paralegals do).

[Anonymous User]

Three general types of employees: (1) people who actively try to do as little as possible, (2) people who only do what they are asked, and (3) people who take initiative and seek out work.

You need to be #3. You can't wait around for people to hand you work. Those are the people who get Lathamed first.

There is also a 4th kind: (4) people who are constantly pestering asking for feedback/more to do. Don't be this person either.... it is a balance.