This is actually my second summer interning at the firm. Last year, I was fortunate enough to receive a position in the Library & Research Department. While there, I conducted competitive intelligence research on other top firms in the NYC area. I then compiled the data into a firm-exclusive database that allowed individuals within the firm to quickly browse through the information. I was also able to help out with several research requests for some of the firm’s partners. However, the most valuable and exciting part of my summer occurred on the occasions that I was allowed to attend training sessions with the summer associates. Through these informational sessions, I was exposed to the daily routine and requirements of young legal professionals at the firm. I was also able to learn how to use several different legal research services, offered within the firm, that the summer associates were required to use. Overall, the most rewarding aspect of my summer was acquainting myself with life at a large firm. Though the workload is sometimes daunting, being able to intern at White & Case confirmed that I do, in fact, want to attend law school and eventually become an attorney.
This year, I am working in the Professional Development & Attorney Recruitment Department of the firm. Thus far, the experience has been greatly different than my time in the Library & Research department. While last summer I spent the majority of my time conducting research by myself, I am in constant contact and interaction with people this summer. I have mostly been working on compiling attorney reviews for the upcoming evaluation period. I have also been assigned to various other projects. The work is much more fast-paced, and I have been working under more stringent deadlines. Even so, I honestly can say that I enjoy going to work every morning. The people I work with are truly incredible. They are extremely driven and devote their full attention to advancing their careers. Despite this, everyone remains levelheaded and has been incredibly nice and polite to me even though I am clearly the “low man on the totem pole.”
Not only has the experience confirmed for me that I do want to work for a law firm, it has also established that I would love to practice in New York City. While I have always had a dream to practice law in the city, I never knew if I would actually enjoy living day to day in such an intense environment. I was pleasantly surprised and have come to love every minute spent in New York.
None of my experiences at White & Case would have been possible without the Paterno Fellows Program. Without the funding graciously provided to the fellows, I would not have been able to afford spending two summers in New York. I completely recommend that anyone who is thinking about the program should seriously consider making the commitment to join. I have found the rewards to be immeasurable and would have missed out on so many great experiences had I not become a part of such an incredible organization.