Am I an intern? (Another law post)

[samblau]

The economy has forced my hand. Today I start working for free for a New York State Supreme Court Judge in lower Manhattan as there are NO jobs available. I need to do something to keep my brain from turning to mush. At 27 years of age and over a year of experience as an associate I feel that I should be classified as something other than "intern" on my resume. It looks silly to go from "associate" to "intern". Maybe "volunteer clerk"? Anyway, for all of my fellow unemployed SFers, as well as those of you who can post from work, what do you think? Is interning for free better than sitting around or looking for temp or non-legal work?

 

[constant struggle]

I guess it is, as long as you aren't doing it 40 hours a week.

 

[MLIW]

Yeh I would recommend not spending to much of your time "working" ratherm, a healthy 60% : 40% free time/job searching, at least you might benefit if they offer you a job at the end of it? Good luck anyway

and dont work to hard!

 

[Millerp]

...........

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

I would describe your job on your resume as "law clerk," assuming that you have the same legal responsibilities as other clerks in the chambers.

 

[samblau]

Originally Posted by Ambulance Chaser

I would describe your job on your resume as "law clerk," assuming that you have the same legal responsibilities as other clerks in the chambers.

Yeah, same responsibilities, and in some cases, more experience. In fact, based on your handle, you might be interested in learning that I am working medmal and will soon be drafting decisions on summary judgment motions.

 

[odoreater]

Originally Posted by samblau

Yeah, same responsibilities, and in some cases, more experience. In fact, based on your handle, you might be interested in learning that I am working medmal and will soon be drafting decisions on summary judgment motions.

Drafting decisions on summary judgment motions? Doesn't your judge have a big huge stamp that says "DENIED" on it like all the other judges?

 

[samblau]

Originally Posted by odoreater

Drafting decisions on summary judgment motions? Doesn't your judge have a big huge stamp that says "DENIED" on it like all the other judges?

I just started...and read a 38 PAGE DECISION AND ORDER! Complex medmal case with many parties, private docs, hospital docs, manufacturers etc. Its actually pretty complicated, and sorta gross.

 

[yerfdog]

I'm about to start looking around to try to do this same thing, volunteer legal work and try to at least get some experience.

 

[odoreater]

Why don't you guys just start your own firm instead of being unemployed?

 

[samblau]

Originally Posted by odoreater

Why don't you guys just start your own firm instead of being unemployed?

Lack of experience, clients, malpractice insurance costs and start up capital are the big ones. There have been some articles written about people "hanging a shingle" as they say after law school. I don't think its such a good idea in NYC though, at least not yet.

 

[DNW]

Originally Posted by samblau

Lack of experience, clients, malpractice insurance costs and start up capital are the big ones. There have been some articles written about people "hanging a shingle" as they say after law school. I don't think its such a good idea in NYC though, at least not yet.

The lady who interviewed me for my NY character and fitness requirement hung out her own shingle after twenty some years of legal aid criminal defense work. Despite having a lot of repeat and second generation clients, she was still struggling to put the heat in her office. She wore a poofy coat when she interviewed me.

 

[yerfdog]

Originally Posted by samblau

Lack of experience, clients, malpractice insurance costs and start up capital are the big ones. There have been some articles written about people "hanging a shingle" as they say after law school. I don't think its such a good idea in NYC though, at least not yet.

This.

Also, there are a lot of ways to get yourself disbarred or suspended if you screw things up that have nothing to do with actually practicing law (I'm thinking of client trust accounts here), and I'm already worried enough about just plain old malpracticing because I don't have the experience to know what I'm doing.

 

[DNW]

Originally Posted by yerfdog

This.

Also, there are a lot of ways to get yourself disbarred or suspended if you screw things up that have nothing to do with actually practicing law (I'm thinking of client trust accounts here), and I'm already worried enough about just plain old malpracticing because I don't have the experience to know what I'm doing.

Haha...I have the impression that any lawyer can be disbarred on any given day for violation of client trust accounts rules. It seems like you need a full time staff accountant just to keep things kosher.

 

[odoreater]

Originally Posted by DarkNWorn

The lady who interviewed me for my NY character and fitness requirement hung out her own shingle after twenty some years of legal aid criminal defense work. Despite having a lot of repeat and second generation clients, she was still struggling to put the heat in her office. She wore a poofy coat when she interviewed me.

Maybe she's just not that good of a lawyer or not that good of a business person?