Real Law Experience in a Great GR-based Firm!
Quinlyn
Experience Information
Employer: Stenger and Stenger, P.C.
Job Title: Legal Support Intern
Major: Political Science
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Stenger and Stenger is a medium size law office located in Grand Rapids. The team of legal support interns are an important part of the office, and are treated as such. There is infinite opportunity for learning. Everyone is willing to share what they know, and help you connect with people who can teach you even more!
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
As legal support, I spent a lot of time doing basic administrative tasks required in order for everyone else to do their job efficiently (i.e. opening mail, scanning mail to proper file, etc.), but that was really just the base. After getting a great handle on the basic tasks, what I did beyond there was really in relation to how much time I had to learn more. There was never a time in my four months here that I wasn't learning a new task to take on a new responsibility.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
In addition to strengthening skills I already had, I was happy to learn a lot of specific knowledge about legal processes. For the most part, interns are directly assisting paralegals, and that allows for you to work closely with people who know a lot about how the process works.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part about this experience was definitely that I never felt restricted. There was always room to move up and to take on more responsibility in the office. The work environment is team-oriented, friendly and encouraging. I was encouraged to ask a lot of questions, and there was always someone patient enough to answer them all. I feel like it was an environment where I could always keep learning, and that is extremely valuable.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
Actually, before this internship I was not planning on entering the legal field, and now as a graduating senior, I have a full-time position working as a paralegal lined up for after graduation. This internship allowed me to see how much opportunity there is in that field, and how much my skills and knowledge have prepared me to excel in it.