What It’s Really Like to Spend Your Summer in a Law Internship or Fellowship
This summer, New England Law Boston students put their legal education into practice through internships and fellowships with courts, law firms, public service organizations, and legal nonprofits. From gaining courtroom experience to working with immigrant communities and preparing legal documents, students had the opportunity to see how the concepts they learn in the classroom translate into real-world action.
Among the students who shared their experiences were Caroline Resciniti ’27, who interned with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office; Lauren Norman ’28, a legal intern with the International Institute of New England; Zack Rasmussen ’28, a law clerk at Richard Harris Law Firm; and Julian Pereira ’28, who worked in legal aid.
Caroline’s internship with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office gave her the opportunity to see classroom learning come to life through courtroom exposure and concepts from her Evidence course applied in criminal law.
“My evidence class at New England Law has helped me learn so much. Seeing it in the real world, applied specifically to the area of criminal law I was working in was a really cool experience and has helped me connect all the pieces together to see them applied in real life. That was definitely an ‘Aha!‘ moment.” – Caroline Resciniti ’27
Lauren’s internship with the International Institute of New England grew out of her previous volunteer experience with the organization. Interested in immigration law, she reached out about law-related volunteer opportunities and was encouraged to apply for the legal intern position.
Her experience also offered advice for students who may be concerned about finding an internship early enough in the summer. “I think, don’t rule out finding something that’s perfect at the last minute. It can feel like if you get to finals and you don’t have something, you’re just not going to have a summer internship, but the right position can fall into place when it’s meant to, even two weeks before the start.” – Lauren Norman ’28
Career Services Helps Students Prepare for Success
The Career Services Office (CSO) plays a major role in several students’ internship and fellowship searches. Caroline worked with the CSO on her résumé and spoke with members of the office about navigating her options. “Everyone’s really been awesome at how to navigate which experience I want to go through for the summer,” she says. Julian also worked with the CSO to refine his résumé as he transitioned from a background in operations management into law.
“[The CSO] helped me tailor my résumé and highlight the work experience I’ve gained while in law school. I worked in the private sector for a few years before law school, so they helped me make sure my résumé highlighted the skills and experience that would be valuable in pursuing a legal career.”
— Julian Pereira ’28
For students preparing for their own internship searches, Zack emphasizes the importance of having application materials ready to go. “[It is important to] have your résumé, your letters, everything you can prepared and ready to go so as soon as you see an opportunity that looks appealing to you, you can get that application out super quickly,” he recommends.
This summer, New England Law students’ internships and fellowships also included opportunities with the Lawrence Court Service Center, the Massachusetts Superior Court, and several private law firms. These experiences gave students the opportunity to explore different areas of legal practice and put their law school education into action.
Students interested in pursuing an internship or fellowship next summer are encouraged to plan early and take advantage of the resources available through the Career Services Office. The CSO’s mission is to connect students and alumni both with employers and with each other, while preparing them for successful careers. From refining application materials to exploring opportunities, the CSO can help students take the next step toward gaining valuable hands-on legal experience.