Well, tomorrow is my last "official" day at the law firm. It's bittersweet, since I know I have to finish my undergraduate studies to get to law school, but part of me wishes I could just stay for a while longer. It was an enriching experience which I feel will help me immensely before, during, and after law school. You can't be taught how to interact with people from court or other law firms in school. Or how you can tell whether or not another attorney approaching you with a settlement can be trusted or not. There is no textbook procedure for dealing with disgruntled clients. There is no real way to predict the way a hearing or trial will progress. There is no way to measure your strengths or weaknesses against opposing counsel. It is impossible to truly know whether or not a client has been 100% truthful. Yet, these are all things I feel more comfortable with now, even with only having worked in a law firm for the summer. This experience overall will work to my advantage in four years when it's time to start handing out business cards that say "Esq." after my name.
I am very grateful for the opportunity that I was given to be paid for something that I have been passionate about since I was a young boy. I have met wonderful people and made connections that I know will be helpful in the very near future. It's definitely something that any of you considering a career in law need to experience to at least some degree before actually practicing on your own. Not only because there are certain things that can't be taught, but because you will meet people who will be more than willing to help get you started on Day 1.
