Defense Firm Internship for Aspiring DA Forum

[ktbug17]

Will taking an undergraduate internship at a litigation firm that practices some criminal defense (they also do civil litigation, estate law, personal injury, etc.) hurt my chances at landing a District attorney job after law school? I have connections to the firm in question and I feel that it will be a valuable way to get some legal exposure and experience to better my employment opportunities in the years between undergrad and law school. However, I am concerned about the strict divide between prosecution and defense (defenders being immediately rejected from prosecution jobs and vice versa). From what I can tell, the "line that cannot be crossed" is primarily between public defenders and DAs - will the same limitations carry over to a firm? Also, will anyone even care about an undergraduate internship once I'm in/have finished law school or will it be so far behind me that I won't have room for it on my resume and can get by without ever bringing it up? (I'm inclined to think that this is the case, but I don't want to limit myself before I've even really started). Thanks!

[swampman]

Not a problem at all. Most DAs offices wouldn't even mind if you worked at a public defender, especially before law school (though the converse isn't true — many public defenders look negatively on DA experience).

As to whether it's good experience, it won't matter much, but it will help you get a job your 1L summer.

[sofialane]

I am a law grad and I ma facing similar issues. Can some one please share their experiences about internship? I am soon going to start mine in this criminal defense law firm of Washington DC , http://www.schertlerlaw.com/ . I would really appreciate if any one can guide me as to what are the challenges that I can face.

I am really excited about this new internship, as I want to pursue my career as criminal defense attorney!