Jury Duty Before Summer BigLaw Internship... Forum

[Anonymous User]

I've been summoned for jury duty one week before the start date of BigLaw 10-week internship. I've already had to push the date back once because my initial summoning conflicted with school (I attend school out-of-state). Any advice?

[A. Nony Mouse]

It's extremely unlikely to conflict - most trials aren't going to run longer than a week. If you do get considered for something like the Jodi Arias trial, having a job starting in another state is probably going to be sufficient to get you excused from anything running past that week. Of course, your employer isn't allowed to hold jury duty against you, so there's no guarantee, but if you have to travel to the biglaw job and you already have paid for travel arrangements, you probably wouldn't get asked to serve.

Also, you're pretty much not going to get picked for a jury. Neither side wants lawyers (or law students) on a jury.

[Ranlif]

I know in my state at least you can write in ahead of time to give any reason you think you can not serve. Being a law student is definitely one of those reasons. You will be dismissed immediately if you end up having to show up.

[Clearly]

Picturing you on the jury while your hiring partner litigates to you.

[Banshee]

FWIW I worked in town last summer and got called for jury duty in the middle of my internship. I was actually selected and the trial was two weeks. My employer was really cool about it (because they have to be, plus you're only interning and not making or breaking their workload) and it ended up being a really awesome experience. I was also shocked during interviews at the end of the summer how many attorneys had served on a jury recently...gave me lots of conversation starters and anecdotes during interviews and at cocktail parties.

BUT, law students aren't likely to get picked and going in one day for jury duty and saying you already have a plane ticket and such to get to your summer SA should get your excused.

[chicago-gunner123]

Picturing you on the jury while your hiring partner litigates to you.