By Marcus Louis
After finishing my first year at the University of Florida law school, I had the enviable opportunity to participate in the Goldstein Law Group’s internship program this past summer. It was a great experience at a crucial point in my studies, and I took advantage of my time with the firm to absorb all that I could. I learned a great deal about my career path that I believe will help shape my future.
Here are a few of the lessons I’d like to share:
Seeing is believing – Through my internship, I was able to see how the concepts, theories and skills I studied in my first year of law classes were put into play at a law firm. I also had the opportunity to receive advice from the partners, as well as several other associates, about some of the most important things in law school and my developing legal career.
Real life experience – The work and assignments I received brought significant value to my legal education. During my internship, I drafted motions, shadowed associates, attended hearings and conducted legal research that allowed me to become immersed in real cases. With these tasks, I experienced the building blocks of legal procedure and strategy in a way I could never learn in a classroom.
See how a real law firm operates – Getting the chance to see a firm’s dynamics and hierarchy, as well as how associates and partners interact with one another, was an invaluable part of my summer. Observing how a law firm works in real life is arguably one of the most important lessons I could have learned as an intern.
With a summer of hands-on experience under my legal belt, I feel confident in my career choice and ready to delve into my second year of law school. Furthermore, I look forward to the lessons my next internship will bring.
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