1L Summer Employment Prep- Advice from 2L's & 3L's welcome Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hey everyone...

So I managed to secure a gig at a major litigation boutique in a major city. However, they are known for "throwing 1L's into the fire" when it comes to giving work. Past associates have told me that there is very little training offered by the firm as well.

My question is what do you think I should do NOW to improve on my writing and research skills? I understand the whole Legal Writing Class concept but I feel like I should be doing more....

I plan on going to the Lexis and Westlaw trainings at my school but I do not think this will be enough....

Any stories on how you prepared or advice for other things you can do will be gladly welcomed.

[superhands]

If you cant take the heat then you should step away from the fire.

[Anonymous User]

If you cant take the heat then you should step away from the fire.

[YourCaptain]

take the gig, learn on the fly

[paulinaporizkova]

If you cant take the heat then you should step away from the fire.

I'm an 0L so I cannot help but I do know that this ^^ was a douche move..

egregious use of Anon function and terrible poast to boot. double whammy

[Miller32]

There's not much you can do aside from what you already mentioned. Keep working hard. Get better.

They know you're a 1L, they won't be expecting the work product of a seasoned attorney. Presumably you're good at the law school game and that's why you got the gig. Just be confident, work hard, and do the best you can.

[Grizz]

Since law school doesn't really teach you anything, no, there's nothing you can do.

[dixiecupdrinking]

Show up prepared to work hard and learn. That's about all you can do. Also, remember that there is no way they will be staking anything important on the research and writing abilities of the 1L they hired for 10 weeks. Don't sweat it so much, you can't screw up too badly.

[NoleinNY]

Hey everyone...

So I managed to secure a gig at a major litigation boutique in a major city. However, they are known for "throwing 1L's into the fire" when it comes to giving work. Past associates have told me that there is very little training offered by the firm as well.

My question is what do you think I should do NOW to improve on my writing and research skills? I understand the whole Legal Writing Class concept but I feel like I should be doing more....

I plan on going to the Lexis and Westlaw trainings at my school but I do not think this will be enough....

Any stories on how you prepared or advice for other things you can do will be gladly welcomed.

Beyond doing the Lexis and Westlaw training, just do your best.

If you are in a California city, look up The Rutter Group Guides on Westlaw (or your local legal library). They are very helpful in understanding the different components of litigation.

Have no fear. Savor your baptism by fire!

[jeeptiger09]

This is a risk/reward move, but if there's a junior or younger associate that you trust that is willing to sort of advise or mentor you, this can be a huge help. Especially with how to deal with certain partners in your firm, their expectations and feedback, etc.

Lexis and Westlaw training, but save those for later in the semester or you'll completely forget all that shit.

[traehekat]

Don't worry too much. Even if they are going to throw you into the fire, they aren't going to be expecting much. Maybe consider picking up this book and giving it a read before you start:

http://www.amazon.com/Swimming-Lessons- ... 0314917470

Not all of it will be applicable for you but most of it will be, or will at least provide you with some "guidelines" to be a better SA. It's not long at all and I think a lot of people check it out before they start as an associate anyway so it's not like you are wasting your money.

[c3pO4]

You can't really do anything to prepare. Biggest difference between crappy and good summer associates is professionalism. I.e. sticking with deadlines, actually writing down what the partner or senior associate instructs you to do, making sure you understand it, and doing it. Also, being able to get your projects done and figure out where you can be helpful, rather than just sitting around waiting for assignments to fall out of the sky---if you figure out you are there to make other people's jobs easier and how to do that, they will like you.

Doing good at work in any internship or new job is mainly about having common sense, not anything you can do to "hone your skills" in advance of the job.