Discover the Benefits of Shadowing Practicing Attorneys
Benefits of Having Students “Shadow”
Practicing Attorneys
Mary Nagel – Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Lawyering Skills – The John Marshall Law School
Noticed that most Students’ idea of a typical lawyer
…
How We Started
Lawsuits filed in the morning and tried in the
afternoon
Every lawyer is a trial attorney
Juries hear every aspect of the law
All cases filed are tried
Lawyers don’t write
Lawyers never spend time here …
False Impressions
Idea for Shadowing
Wanted Students to Know What Lawyers REALLY
DO
Interaction with Clients, Members in the
firm/organization, Opposing Counsel, Judges
Network
Ethics and Professionalism
Mentors
Focus
Shadowing
Sets the context for how lawyers ACTUALLY work
Externs/Interns
Later in the law school career
Promotes public service
Different from an
Internship/Externship
What Lawyers REALLY
Do
WRITE
Emails
Letters
Memos
Pleadings and Filings (and Discovery)
Transactional Documents
Regulatory Filings
Orders
Interact
Members of the firm/organization
Clients
Opposing Counsel
Witnesses
Staff/Legal vendors
Judges
Juries
… and
… not generally
Find the Student’s Area of Interest
Easier to Accommodate in Urban Settings
If not feasible, then shadow local attorneys – all will
see how the local attorney runs his firm/organization
How It Works
Contact Attorneys in the Area
Generally flattered to help
Work with Alumni groups or Career Services
Local bar associations
Fosters good will with practicing bar
… then
Discussions of Ethics and Professionalism
Initial contact
Dress
Behavior
Demeanor at the office/organization
Post Shadowing Contact – Networking Possibilities
Student Involvement
Students Write on the Experience
Memo on Shadowing
Thank you letter
Possible writing sample/resume fodder
Writing
Surprising Side Effects
Attorney becomes concerned for student
Wants to help with career
Assists with class choices for electives
Introduces students to others in the area
Bar Associations/Practice Associations
Mentoring
Explore the unique insights gained through shadowing practicing attorneys, dispelling misconceptions about legal careers, and gaining a real-world understanding of what lawyers truly do beyond the courtroom. Shadowing sets the context for future legal careers, promoting public service and enhancing professionalism.
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Presentation Transcript
Only the Shadow[ing Student] Knows Benefits of Having Students Shadow Practicing Attorneys Mary Nagel Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Lawyering Skills The John Marshall Law School
How We Started Noticed that most Students idea of a typical lawyer
False Impressions Lawsuits filed in the morning and tried in the afternoon Every lawyer is a trial attorney Juries hear every aspect of the law All cases filed are tried Lawyers don t write Lawyers never spend time here
Focus Wanted Students to Know What Lawyers REALLY DO Interaction with Clients, Members in the firm/organization, Opposing Counsel, Judges Network Ethics and Professionalism Mentors
Different from an Internship/Externship Shadowing Sets the context for how lawyers ACTUALLY work Externs/Interns Later in the law school career Promotes public service
What Lawyers REALLY Do WRITE Emails Letters Memos Pleadings and Filings (and Discovery) Transactional Documents Regulatory Filings Orders
and Interact Members of the firm/organization Clients Opposing Counsel Witnesses Staff/Legal vendors Judges Juries
How It Works Find the Student s Area of Interest Easier to Accommodate in Urban Settings If not feasible, then shadow local attorneys all will see how the local attorney runs his firm/organization
then Contact Attorneys in the Area Generally flattered to help Work with Alumni groups or Career Services Local bar associations Fosters good will with practicing bar
Student Involvement Discussions of Ethics and Professionalism Initial contact Dress Behavior Demeanor at the office/organization Post Shadowing Contact Networking Possibilities
Writing Students Write on the Experience Memo on Shadowing Thank you letter Possible writing sample/resume fodder
Mentoring Surprising Side Effects Attorney becomes concerned for student Wants to help with career Assists with class choices for electives Introduces students to others in the area Bar Associations/Practice Associations
