benefits of having students “shadow” practicing attorneys mary nagel – assistant professor and...
TRANSCRIPT
“… Only the Shadow[ing
Student] Knows”
Benefits of Having Students “Shadow” Practicing Attorneys
Mary Nagel – Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Lawyering Skills – The John Marshall Law School
Lawsuits filed in the morning and tried in the
afternoon Every lawyer is a trial attorney Juries hear every aspect of the law All cases filed are tried Lawyers don’t write Lawyers never spend time here …
False Impressions
Wanted Students to Know What Lawyers
REALLY DO Interaction with Clients, Members in the
firm/organization, Opposing Counsel, Judges Network Ethics and Professionalism Mentors
Focus
Shadowing
Sets the context for how lawyers ACTUALLY work
Externs/Interns
Later in the law school career Promotes public service
Different from an Internship/Externship
What Lawyers REALLY Do
WRITE EmailsLettersMemosPleadings and Filings (and Discovery)Transactional DocumentsRegulatory FilingsOrders
Interact
Members of the firm/organizationClientsOpposing CounselWitnessesStaff/Legal vendorsJudgesJuries
… and
Find the Student’s Area of Interest
Easier to Accommodate in Urban Settings If not feasible, then shadow local attorneys – all
will see how the local attorney runs his firm/organization
How It Works
Contact Attorneys in the Area
Generally flattered to help Work with Alumni groups or Career Services Local bar associations Fosters good will with practicing bar
… then
Discussions of Ethics and Professionalism
Initial contact Dress Behavior Demeanor at the office/organization Post Shadowing Contact – Networking
Possibilities
Student Involvement
Students Write on the Experience
Memo on Shadowing Thank you letter Possible writing sample/resume fodder
Writing