US Internships

XxMCRxBabyxX

Hey guys,

I was just wondering if you thought I had any chance of getting some work experience in the US at all in next summer? I'm looking at applying to both firms and in-house counsel and I already have experience in working in both. I have also already had some small dealing with some of the major US firms through these and will also have some connections from my experiences.

My main aim is to try and get into somewhere with an entertainment law perspective, but tbh anywhere will do!

I am planning on going to the US on a J1 visa no matter what anyway. The experience in US Law would just be a great thing to add to it. I will be going into my 4th year of Law and History by then and will have just turned 21 if that makes any difference.

Anyone have any tips or advice?
I will be trying to contact some firms myself in the future but I am wondering if it is too early to be annoying them now if I won't be over until next summer?

Thanks,
XxMCRxBabyxX

crystalmice

You wont have a hope of getting a position as a summer associate (IMHO) so wouldnt bother even applying for those specifically, but lots of US firms do programs that are specifically for foreign lawyers; they tend to be less formal in application and course structure and would be designed for people with your experience etc. Try looking up firms that have such programs, google would throw up a fair few. I doubt cold-calling firms that dont have such a program would work, but there are lots that do so aim for those and you would have a good chance I think! If you have contacts in a big Irish firm they could probably help you out with where to look, they might know some firms that provide for that. It might be a bit early alright but start putting feelers out now and you should be able to make it happen!

bob_lob_law

The Washington Ireland Programme might be worth a look.

XxMCRxBabyxX

crystalmice wrote: »

You wont have a hope of getting a position as a summer associate (IMHO) so wouldnt bother even applying for those specifically, but lots of US firms do programs that are specifically for foreign lawyers; they tend to be less formal in application and course structure and would be designed for people with your experience etc. Try looking up firms that have such programs, google would throw up a fair few. I doubt cold-calling firms that dont have such a program would work, but there are lots that do so aim for those and you would have a good chance I think! If you have contacts in a big Irish firm they could probably help you out with where to look, they might know some firms that provide for that. It might be a bit early alright but start putting feelers out now and you should be able to make it happen!

Oh no, I was never thinking of applying for any of the associate programmes! I know that I don't have a chance for that! I accidently put down internships in the title and then couldn't change it!
I was more looking at whether they might just take me on for a few weeks experience.

Anyone know anything about in-house counsel experience?

And I did think about the WIP but I don't know if I really have enough for them to take me on! I know others who've gotten it and their CVs are pretty impressive. Mine is quite good, admittedly, but I'm not sure as to whether it's good enough!

bob_lob_law

WIP is worth a shot, I was interviewed for it, albeit about a million years ago at this stage, and my cv was decidedly average then, so just try and do a good application I suppose. Also, it depends what university you are applying from as I was told they have a set number of spots for each, so that might work in your favour depending on your circumstances.

FreudianSlippers

Are you referring to in-house counsel as in a company? I think you'd have little to no chance of getting that without knowing someone higher up in the company tbh.

XxMCRxBabyxX

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

Are you referring to in-house counsel as in a company? I think you'd have little to no chance of getting that without knowing someone higher up in the company tbh.

Yea that was what I was thinking! I'm currently working in-house atm.

I have seen some internships advertised by record companies which is why I thought that there could be a chance!
I was looking specifically at them because if my interest in entertainment law

FreudianSlippers

XxMCRxBabyxX wrote: »

Yea that was what I was thinking! I'm currently working in-house atm.

I have seen some internships advertised by record companies which is why I thought that there could be a chance!
I was looking specifically at them because if my interest in entertainment law

I guess it doesn't hurt trying, but IMO you'd really have to know someone in the company to get them to take you on for a few weeks - as in "shadowing" a partner or something?