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Why Should I Do an Externship?In their own words ... recent Hastings externs made the following comments about their externships. In General This was a great experience, I would definitely do it all over again. Overall, I've learned a lot from the experience. My practical knowledge of the court has grown tremendously. [The externship] has really given me a unique learning experience that I did not have with any of my classes at Hastings. It has truly been the best experience of my law school experience. It has been so much more than I expected. To say the very least, this experience has far and away been the best and most beneficial of my law school career. All in all, this externship has been a great experience, one that I am so glad I had the opportunity to have. Thanks Hastings! [This externship] has been a great way to finish my law school career. I can safely say that I learned more in this one semester than all of the others combined. The first two and a half years of law school provided a platform from which to launch me into the legal world, and this work gave me an opportunity to get a feel for the actual process of working with the law. Building Confidence My job as an extern has given me a real shot of much needed confidence. My performance in law school has been less than stellar. In the past, I was a 4.0 student and even earned a graduate degree. I felt smart. Law school has seemed to be one blow to my ego after the other. At work, I have been able to prove to myself that I am indeed competent and intelligent. This is due in large part to the faith the judges have put into me. To see my own words in a decision has been very exciting. [Watching trials] makes me realize…that I really have learned a lot about presenting arguments to a judge, and overall I really do understand the proper decorum and procedure to use during a court proceeding. I am…surprised at how much my externship has opened my eyes to the various power dynamics that exist behind the scenes in the criminal justice system. I have learned much throughout the semester about conciseness and presentation. I am now more confident in presenting my issues and realize now that however confident I may have thought I was on moot court team, nothing compares to having to present your issues clearly before a real judge who decides real cases. I do want to reflect a bit on what a wonderful opportunity this externship has been. I've made good progress in my sense of confidence; I see more clearly the ways I can become competent; I've learned quite a lot about how judges and lawyers (and chambers) operate. It's been a good experience. I am more confident about my own ability now as an attorney because I was able to discuss complicated legal issues with the judge and the other attorneys and to produce good writing that won their praise. I think externing is a wonderful transition from school to practice. I [found] that I [drew] on all of my law school disciplines. I am especially confident now about applying civil procedure. I understand the rules in practice and am confident that I can apply them as both a law clerk and a defense attorney….I know that when I get to a firm, I will not fall into some of the common traps that new associates fall into. Overall I feel that I have gained a tremendous amount of insight regarding the nuts and bolts of litigation. It was such a great feeling to have Judge ultimately agree with me after spending so many hours reviewing and researching for this motion. I feel this experience has boosted my confidence in practicing within the legal community and has also given me the opportunity to focus on what I am really interested in, criminal law. I can't imagine going into practice without having externed. This was a wonderful, confidence building experience. Both staff attorneys provided excellent feedback that greatly improved my writing and sharpened my legal skills. Building Specific Skills It was not easy, but working on the case has really improved my writing, research and analytical skills. I find that I learn and remember legal concepts much better when I experience them in a practical, real life setting. Seeing how such motions are used in practice gives me a better understanding of pretrial and litigation strategy. After externing, I know that my writing skills have improved. I understand what judges in an appellate court look for in briefs as well as what they expect from counsel during oral arguments. I don't think I would have learned as much during a semester-long lecture course as I feel I did in my first week as an extern. For practical knowledge that I will be able to apply directly to my job as an associate in a law firm next fall, the experience has been invaluable. This SHOULD be required for all future litigators in my humble opinion. The externship provides an opportunity to greatly improve your writing and practical legal analysis skills, but it requires hard work. Great Courts and Judges [sorry, no names!] [A Federal District Judge] has lots of experience and wisdom; he's very supportive of externs and appreciates and respects our contributions. Looking back, I am completely amazed by how much I've learned and grown from the experience. I have had the privilege to work with incredibly knowledgeable, helpful, and, above all, kind people. [Two San Francisco Superior Court Judges] possess such a great deal of integrity. Their patience and sincere interest in making sure my questions were answered greatly enhanced the learning experience. The externship is the best part of my law school education! [California Court of Appeals Judge] was great - he gives you work with substance and he respects extern's ideas and input. He thinks externs are assets because they often bring a new perspective to a case. The judge was also very warm and approachable - he was concerned not only with my work at the court, but also with other things happening to me at school. He was, and still is, a wonderful mentor. Justice [of the California Supreme Court] is an extraordinary mentor [who] focuses on everything from professional appearance to writing and oral advocacy skills. Although the Justice is demanding, the rewards make it worth it. My experience here at the tribunal [the International Court of Justice] has been excellent. Not only do I think it will help me get a job through my contacts here, but it has been very eye-opening as well. Overall, I am very glad I got the opportunity to do this and think it has been a life changing experience. This was the best thing I could have done in law school. The law and motions court is great because you get to see a lot of law in a few short months. I also read a lot of briefs and now have a good understanding of what makes a good brief. I would recommend working with [Superior Court Judge] in the family law courts to anyone interested in Family law. This has been absolutely one of the best experiences I had at Hastings. Justice [of the California Supreme Court] and the chambers staff gave me several challenging and interesting assignments. The experience could not have been more valuable. Other Comments I love it when I learn something in California Civil Procedure that comes up in court. There is a great possibility that the civil opinion that I wrote [for a justice of the California Court of Appeal] will get published. I am really, really excited. As I got ready to leave on my last day, I couldn't help but realize how much I had learned during those few months there. The experience I received was truly rewarding and worthwhile. I am confident that it will help prepare for life after law school. This experience has truly changed my life's dreams. I have discovered what career path I want to take in the years ahead and I have developed a strong and vivacious enthusiasm for the federal courts and the judiciary. This is the best job I've ever had. Not only was the learning experience fantastic, I truly enjoyed working with the judge and the law clerks. It is an outstanding working environment. I think everyone should do an externship at some time. I almost did not and I wouldn't have even known what I was missing. The internship gives a lot of exposure to the courtroom, and the ability to watch different [lawyering] styles. I've enjoyed working [as an extern] over the semester. I like how I've had a chance to spend time in the courtroom, seeing different lawyers' styles during oral argument. I know more about how the judge makes decisions; I've been able to see the process of law; I've been able to apply what I've learned in school to the real world. I think this was an invaluable experience and I'm so glad that I got a chance to be an extern. It's the best way I could have ended my time in law school, and I'm glad it turned out so well. I would highly recommend externing, especially the last semester of your third year when you are burned out from classes and you need to get the 9-5 feel to prepare for the bar and working. Externing has really been a good experience. Stressful and frustrating with a high learning curve, but something I will value forever. This has been the best part of my law school career. I felt extremely satisfied with the experience. I told the judge that working in his chambers was the best experience of my law school career. I meant that with all my heart. I put the law into use and saw how it operated in the lives of real people. I became familiar with the "behind the scenes" activities of the opinions I read in casebooks. I feel I developed good relationships at the court with everyone from librarians to security guards to judges. It's been an absolutely fantastic time here. This externship was definitely the highlight of my law school years. I am so glad to have done it and so grateful to have had the opportunity. This has been a terrific experience. I have learned an incredible amount, I feel, about how the law actually works by participating in the legal process. It is an amazing feeling. |
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© 2007 Marsha Cohen. All rights reserved.
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