The Basics of Remote Legal Internships
In essence, a remote legal internship is something of a hybrid between traditional in-office internships and permanent positions. They are like mini-jobs because law students or graduates generally handle real research papers, writing, case management, and multiple other assignments related to the various practice areas of remote lawyers. Yet, they are also very much internships because of the relatively low fees in comparison to full-time employment.
Remote legal internships are extremely convenient and flexible , considering that they can be done from the comfort of your own home—as long as you have internet access and communication platforms. For undergraduate students who cannot go to another city to intern, this is great news! You can now work with an established professional in your preferred area without uprooting your studies. If you’re a law graduate, you should be just as excited because you typically don’t need to commit to any firm for more than 10 hours per week. That means you can still work elsewhere.
Different Types of Legal Internships Available Remotely
With the rise of remote work, even in the legal sector, various types of legal internships are now accessible from anywhere. Two particularly ripe areas for remote intern roles are corporate law and nonprofit organizations. Not only do they allow for a legal education to be obtained without stepping foot in a classroom, but they also provide essential experience that boosts a legal résumé. These types of positions are crucial for undergraduates who are thinking about pursuing a legal career. Interns in various types of government offices can find internships that help hone a specialty. Of course, it is not strictly government agencies that fit within this category, as there are plenty of private organizations that fall under this realm. Those who want to work for the government must often go through an extensive application process, sometimes only learning that they are accepted weeks or months into the process. Private internship organizations require a reasonable amount of effort to apply to them as well. Corporate internships are another sector that is likely to remain popular with interns. With an established business plan and a clear structure in place, legal interns in the field of corporate law tend to flourish in these positions. Plus, attorneys in this field are often willing and able to create valuable work experience opportunities. Associates also offer mentorship and support to new interns who are seeking to build their resume and increase their job marketability. With hands-on exposure to the industry, interns explore different forms of skill development. They generally end with a wealth of new knowledge.
Requirements for Undergraduate Students
In general, undergraduate students seeking remote legal internships must meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered for a position. Academic qualifications usually include being enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program, with some employers placing preference on candidates who have completed a certain number of credit hours or have achieved a minimum GPA. Prerequisite skills or experiences are often context-dependent: for example, those applying for positions with intellectual property law firms may find it useful to have completed prior courses in biology or chemistry, while candidates for positions in corporate law may be preferred if they have participated in academic or extracurricular business-focused activities.
Top Platforms for Finding Remote Legal Internships
**LinkedIn**
It’s almost a cliché, but it’s true: LinkedIn is one of the best places to find a remote legal internship. LinkedIn now has an option for employers to advertise remote internship opportunities. To find these internships, set the search filter on the left side of the screen to "Remote". This will pull up results even if the employer did not set the internship specifically as "remote." You can also just search the word "intern" in the search bar. Some positions may not come up with these filters; not all employers and recruiters are familiar with how to post to specific criteria.
**Glassdoor**
The internship and employment website Glassdoor has options for filtering for remote internships. If you search for "remote internship" you will likely get some legal options in your results. However, like LinkedIn, this site is dependent on employers correctly filtering their results – so it may be hit-or-miss. Online forums like Glassdoor can be a good sense check for internship options you find through other sources, like LinkedIn.
**Indeed**
Indeed is a popular job search engine that compiles listings from all over the web. Like Glassdoor and LinkedIn, Indeed is great for searching for remote legal internships. When you find a remote internship, make sure to still drop those employers a connection on LinkedIn and send a follow-up message thanking them for their posting and letting them know you have applied.
**Specific Legal Internship Sites and Blogs**
Students in the United States may want to check out the United States Department of Commerce Career Resources webpage. The U.S. Department of State also has a good list of paid and unpaid internship opportunities for U.S. college students in several different countries. The students should also check out the career resources on the American Bar Association website. The ABA has a specialized page dedicated exclusively towards job and internship postings. Be sure to filter your search for remote or telecommute positions! LawCrossing is a paid service that focuses on legal and law school job postings. They have an option for a free trial, which may be worth it simply for the access to job listings. LawCrossing has a specific search filter for remote work. Brand new law school graduates may want to check out CourtCareers.com. The site was created by a federal judge as a resource for clerks and others seeking clerkship opportunities. While this is geared towards recent grads, current law students may want to check it out as a resource for launching their clerkship search early.
**Make Sure Your LinkedIn is Updated and Active!**
No matter which platforms you are using to search for internships, keep in mind that many employers are also looking at your LinkedIn profile once you have submitted an application. For this reason, it’s a good idea to ensure that your profile is completely filled out and your activity on there is as professional as possible. You should also ensure that your profile has been configured to allow potential employers to see any job or internship listings you have been engaging with.
How to Apply for a Remote Legal Internship
The application process for landing remote legal internships varies depending on the program or firm but typically starts with an online application or a resume and cover letter email submission. Some of these roles are more open in their application process than others, so research each opportunity carefully, as some may require more substantial writing or sample work submissions. Most firms and companies ask you for a resume and cover letter, regardless of whether you’re applying for a temporary or permanent position. Make sure you tailor your resume in the same way you would for a traditional job. Make these obvious connections that show how your skills align with the position. Additionally, make sure you have chosen a strong legal writing sample that demonstrates your writing skills and substance. While you will likely not be writing briefs immediately if you internship is supervised, it is a good way for someone else to get an impression of your research/analytical/writing abilities. One of the most difficult aspects of any job search, especially for recent grads or students with limited experience, is showcasing your soft skills and general cultural fit at a company . This is more pronounced when the interaction with the employer has been solely through a computer. Take advantage of the application process, and allow your character to shine through your resume and cover letter, even if you have limited experience. After the resume and cover letter portion of your application, you will likely go through a preliminary phone screen, with some employers moving to a video interview. This process will vary but try to make the video interview into a conversation. If this comes after an initial phone screen, compliment what the firm is doing well or what you found interesting about the firm. Another way to stand out during this process is to have a strong opening statement as a similes to an elevator pitch. Additionally, if you have any ideas you think would work well for the organization, run them past the interviewer. They will appreciate the thought process and your willingness to offer suggestions. Finally, have some questions prepared. Make it a two-way interview, showing that you want to learn as much about the firm as they want to learn about you.
Getting the Most Out of a Remote Legal Internship
Having established how to secure a remote legal research internship, the next important step is to explore how you can get the most from that role. In this section of the article, we will look at some simple strategies you can follow to maximize the benefits of your role. To begin with, communication is key. Having secured the internship, it is now time to start establishing yourself as a reliable, professional team member. One of the best ways to do this is to set up a regular schedule of communication with your partner, associate or supervisor. Discuss whether they prefer to communicate through Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, Facetime, email or another medium. Discuss when would be the best times for them. And discuss whether you need to discuss matters or whether you can communicate via email. Regular check-in times demonstrate that you value and respect their time and your messages or calls should clearly demonstrate that you are acting in their interests whenever possible. It also gives your partner a chance to provide feedback on your work and to help you identify areas where you may need training or additional support.
Time management is critical to ensuring that you succeed in your role. Set a schedule for yourself and stick to it. For example, let your supervisor know that you will be working from 10-3:00 (or whatever your preferred hours are) Monday to Friday and will check in every day at 10:00 to discuss the projects you will be working on. Setting this regular schedule allows you to stay focused and to schedule meetings without any fear of them taking you away from your work.
More than ever, legal research and writing is being done in a digital format. The ability to navigate these various programs and tools is critical for success. Make sure you familiarize yourself with any cloud storage programs that your company uses, such as Box, Dropbox or DocuShare. Similarly, familiarize yourself with online law libraries such as WestlawNext and practice resources such as Practical Law. Be prepared to learn new programs such as Microsoft Sharepoint. These tools may seem somewhat intimidating at first but learn how to use them from your supervisor and don’t be shy about asking questions when frustrated. Mastered, however, they will serve you well in your career and, more importantly, help you to perform better in your internship.
Building a Career Through Remote Internships
Remote legal internships are not just an excellent way to gain valuable experience and skills. They also set a strong foundation for a successful legal career. The secret is to make the most of your existing network — and then use that network to create more connections.
The first step in leveraging your existing network is to keep in touch with everyone you know in the legal field. Even if you are no longer working together or have lost track of each other, you should send quick updates to let people know what you are doing and how much you appreciate their mentorship. This is especially important if the individual has left an organization and now works somewhere else. Remind the individual of how they helped you benefit from the internship experience and express your hopes that you may one day work with them again.
When you meet other legal professionals, whether through your remote internship or elsewhere, do your best to connect with them. Ask if they would be willing to connect on LinkedIn or communicate via phone or email every now and then. You will need to remain respectful of their time, but as long as you don’t come off as needy, you should have good success in maintaining a professional relationship .
You can also use your current and future connections to help you get an associate role. You will need to be proactive, however. First, think about what you want in a future job. Do you want to work for a large firm, where you will work on larger cases that require teams of attorneys? Or do you want a position within a small firm, where you will have the autonomy to approach an entire case by yourself? Neither is better than the other; it’s all a matter of preference.
Next, make a list of organizations you would like to work for, as well as others that would likely represent opportunities from which you could eventually get a job at the company that really interests you. You don’t, for example, need to work directly for a Fortune 500 company to get your foot in the door.
Inform your network of your job preferences. Work hard on your current internship and ensure you have the skills necessary to do well at a law firm. Finally, when the time is right, express your interest in securing an associate position and let them know how much you value their support.