Why Pursue a Legal Internship in Seattle?
There’s more to the Seattle legal scene than Microsoft and Starbucks. For the not-so-humble Pacific Northwest, the legal market is vast and diverse, ranging from many of the top national firms’ offices to small firms that concentrate in many different areas and from in-house law departments to a plethora of non-profits and governmental organizations. Seattle is also home to the U.S Attorney, King County and Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorneys’ offices, the Legal Aid Society, Public Defender Association, Columbia Legal Services, and the Office of the Attorney General of Washington . Seattle because of its location and dynamic economy has one of the most diverse legal markets in the country. Seattle boasts strong energy and resource practices, an internationally recognized antitrust group, and a key concentration in litigation. Recent years have also seen significant growth in Seattle practices in high-tech and life sciences/lifecare as well as an expansion of bankruptcy, IP, real estate, health care, international trade and environmental groups.
Law Firms that Offer Legal Internships
Below is provided a list of some of the top Seattle law firms that may offer internships to qualified candidates. Notwithstanding the fact that it might be difficult to obtain an internship with any one of the following law firms, they are nevertheless listed simply because of their reputation and area of expertise: Miller Nash Graham & Dunn LLP is an over 100-year-old firm with practice areas in corporate and transactions, litigation, employment, maritime, real estate, and water. The firm has offices in Seattle, Portland, and throughout the Pacific Northwest and has a wide variety of attorneys practicing various areas of law. Interns at Miller Nash Graham & Dunn LLP should expect to taste what it is like to practice in the real world by working with attorneys and assuming actual responsibility for legal work.
K&L Gates LLP is considered an international powerhouse law firm. The firm has offices around the world and provides a full range of counsel to its clients, offering assistance in everything from commercial transactions to securities. The firm’s Seattle office is headed by multidisciplinary global energy, water, and utility lawyers and provides counsel on these wide-ranging issues domestically and abroad. Interns are actively asked to participate in legal research and writing, helping the life cycle of the matter, directly observe depositions and client counsel and assisting attorneys.
Foster Pepper PLLC is a Seattle-based law firm that focuses on business, real estate, litigation and labor and employment law. The firm’s real estate group is among the most experienced in the Pacific Northwest. Practice groups within the firm feature a wide array of legal specialties. Interns are expected to draw on their background and education and assist in all aspects of real estate transactions.
Eligibility Requirements for Legal Internships
A legal internship in Seattle usually requires a second- or third-year law student or recent law school graduate. Applicants should have a strong academic record and research and writing skills. Interns should possess a high level of motivation, attention to detail, and the ability to identify, analyze, and propose solutions to complex problems within the range of legal resourcing. They may conduct legal research and draft memoranda and litigation materials, but typically do not appear in court on behalf of the law firm. An internship may last for the duration of one academic semester, or summer, and can be completed for course credit, or as an externship. In contrast, some internships may extend beyond a single quarter to offer extended opportunities to first-year law students or recent graduates. Many Seattle law firms may post job openings on national and regional legal job boards, and typically do not include nationality, ethnicity, or religion in their job requirements or postings.
Experience Offered by Legal Internships
One of the most valuable aspects of pursuing a legal internship in Seattle is the opportunity to develop and hone critical legal skills that are necessary for success in the field. A legal intern gains hands-on experience in a variety of areas, including legal research, client interaction, and document drafting. Many legal internships offer interns exposure to legal research tools and resources. Interns become familiar with conducting case law research to support legal arguments and client positions. An intern also gains an understanding of legal citation formats and may learn how to cite-check legal documents as part of their research training. With up-to-date access to technology and legal information resources, legal interns have a solid foundation in researching that helps them thrive in a legal career after graduation. Client interaction is another skill an intern can gain as part of their legal internship. Interns may sit in on client meetings and interviews as they observe and learn from attorneys how to interact with clients to solicit information and discuss strategies . Interns may also have opportunities to correspond directly with clients through email, phone calls, and letters. Taking drafts of documents to clients for signature or to review details and confirm accuracy helps a legal intern understand the role of clients’ input and feedback in various aspects of the legal process. Document drafting is a skill that a legal intern develops in a number of ways, including assisting in preparing motions, court orders, discovery requests, pleadings, letters, and other documentation. Drafting legal documents involves reviewing client files and other information thoroughly to ensure accuracy of the facts and legal positions taken. Legal interns should also see firsthand how attorneys can tailor specific forms and templates to collect relevant information and document details unique to a particular case. A legal internship in Seattle provides unparalleled opportunities to build skills that are essential for launching a successful legal career. Through direct observation and experience, legal interns learn how to interact with clients and stakeholders, conduct legal research, and draft legal documents.
Professional Development and Networking Opportunities
One of the most significant (and, for some, intimidating) aspects of any internship is the opportunity to build out your network. In a legal internship, networking takes on added importance, as you get to meet not only potential future colleagues, but also the lawyers who might one day serve as referral sources if you start your own practice. Instead of just working through another summer in a nondescript office with a dozen other interns you can’t even remember, an internship with a Seattle-based law firm gives you the chance to make connections you can leverage into lucrative relationships down the road.
Like many other professions, the legal industry relies heavily on connections. Even a high-ranking law firm in Seattle will find itself at a disadvantage with other firms across the state if it lacks a vast and diverse client base. Law firm networks land contracts and clients, which lead to greater revenue and lots of office perks for associates. A legal internship in Seattle can give budding attorneys the chance to land coveted fellowship or clerkships with Washington State’s top firms, which can in turn lead to fruitful job opportunities in the future. Summer law interns able to impress supervisors with their work concepts and research skills should work to broaden their professional network, as doing so leads to a greater chance of finding future employment.
Applying for Legal Internships in the Seattle Area
The process of applying for legal internships can often prove to be an uphill climb, full of competing applicants and high standards. In Seattle, as elsewhere, the steps you take can ensure your way to success in the increasingly competitive marketplace.
The first step is finding those opportunities. Sites such as Idealist.org are powerful tools in this area: they allow you to sort legal internship opportunities by salary offered and sector, such as criminal law, immigration, labor law, and civil rights. The Washington State Bar Association also maintains a list of internship opportunities, which can be sorted by date or employer type.
The next step is to write an application that stands out from the crowd. Your legal cover letter deserves the same dedication of time and effort that you would put into any legal document – especially when, as the Civilian Jobs website points out, "Your resume is your advertisement." As a rule of thumb, cover letters should "clearly state the type of position you are applying for , how you found out about it and exactly why you believe you are qualified for the job." Include any connections you have to the firm, such as alumni from your school.
Your educational background is one of the most important factors to highlight in your application – but don’t forget to also showcase the work experience and volunteer activities that can distinguish you from other applicants. Providing specific examples from your past experience demonstrates your commitment to your career and your ability to tackle challenges head-on.
If you are invited for an interview, arrive prepared and be yourself. Look the part by dressing appropriately – when in doubt, err on the side of dressing too formally rather than too casually. In addition, be ready to discuss your interests, education, prior volunteer work or internships, strengths and weaknesses, and future aspirations. Ultimately, hiring managers want to see that you fit within the culture of their organization, so be honest and get a feel for whether the firm is a good fit for you, as well. Good luck!