Appropriate Writing Samples for 1L Externships Forum

[whereskyle]

So, i figure it doesn't hurt to apply for internships/externships as a 1L, as firms advertise such positions. Most firms require writing samples, and I wonder if anyone would like to chime in as to appropriate writing samples. I have done legal writing as a paralegal, which, of course, bears the signature of my supervising attorney, whom I planning to cite as a reference. Is this at all appropriate to submit? I have undergraduate writing in non-legal fields as well. Would such writing be appropriate? Any other ideas of appropriate samples? Thanks for the opinions.

[BVest]

So, i figure it doesn't hurt to apply for internships/externships as a 1L, as firms advertise such positions. Most firms require writing samples, and I wonder if anyone would like to chime in as to appropriate writing samples. I have done legal writing as a paralegal, which, of course, bears the signature of my supervising attorney, whom I planning to cite as a reference. Is this at all appropriate to submit? I have undergraduate writing in non-legal fields as well. Would such writing be appropriate? Any other ideas of appropriate samples? Thanks for the opinions.

Any writing sample that comes from a job needs to have the approval of the employer. Further, any writing sample that is legal in nature needs to be redacted or anonymized, probably even if it is now a public document. And if it's something written under someone else's name or to which you were not the sole author, you need to specify in your cover sheet the context and what your contribution was.

As far as 1L internships go, be sure you don't run afoul of hour limitations that you've agreed to.

[suzige]

are you looking for summer jobs? If so, you will likely be expected to use something from your legal writing class. Don't worry about this right now. Focus on your grades.