The PrawfsBlawg recently dished out some advice for students who have landed summer jobs at a big law firm.
The tips include the following:
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How well you perform on the assignments you are given is more important than how many assignments you complete. Quality not quantity.
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The formal and technical aspects of your work must be impeccable. Spelling errors, using a sample and failing to insert the name of the new client, forgetting the page numbers, etc. will not be tolerated, so you must proofread multiple times.
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When getting an assignment, always have a pad and pen and ask questions. Don’t leave the room until you feel comfortable that you know what it is you are being asked to do. At a minimum, you should know: what the deadline is, the scope of the assignment, the jurisdiction, the partner on the case, the name of the client, and the billing number.
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Be a team player. Don’t leave for home or some firm event before checking in to see whether there is more to be done. Associates will appreciate you for this.
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Remember that this is an opportunity for you to assess the firm, just as the firm is assessing you. You should be asking yourself whether the firm appeals to you, and you alone. How the employees act and appear is more important than what they say.
Read more here.
