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Non-legal experience still valid?

  • 02-06-2013 10:22am
    #1
    makemecrazy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 67 ✭✭


    Hi all, I have secured a summer internship in one of the big 4 accounting firms this summer and I start in a few weeks. I am wondering if people think this is valid experience in an attempt to gain a legal training contract in the future? Some people have said I'd be better off working in a small legal practice unpaid for the summer but I'm unconvinced and was wondering what others thought? Cheers guys


Comments

  • #2
    Tom Young
    Legal Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 4,338 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tom Young


    Experience is experience. Yes. It might not be directly relevant but take it up.


  • #3
    Chattastrophe!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,284 ✭✭✭Chattastrophe!


    Go for it - you'll probably spend a lot of time reviewing board minutes and other legal documents, so that might be relevant for any interviews etc you end up doing.

    Also, many Big 4 summer interns get offered places on the graduate program for when they finish college, no harm keeping your options open.


  • #4
    Blackrockcomet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 73 ✭✭Blackrockcomet


    Take it and make sure to write down everything you do. It will show that you have business/commercial awareness which would be quite important for a traineeship at a big commercial law firm. Plus, as said above, it'll give you options within the big 4 accountancy sphere which most law grads would kill for


  • #5
    LowKeyReturn
    Closed Accounts Posts: 934 ✭✭✭LowKeyReturn


    Take it and then grab some quick and dirty small firm experience latter on down the line. You're just as likely to manning the photo-copier in either place. If you can get a decent small firm you'll have a blast.


  • #6
    makemecrazy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 67 ✭✭makemecrazy


    Thanks all for the feedback. Some people have told me I would be water off spending the time in a legal small practice even working 2 days a week unpaid just to be doing law work but surely its the skills you gain that matter rather than the place ?


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  • #7
    LowKeyReturn
    Closed Accounts Posts: 934 ✭✭✭LowKeyReturn


    People say (some) that people who work in the top 5 legal firms are pigeon holed into that and find it difficult to break into a smaller general practice. I don't know if accounting will suit what you want to do later on but if Work Ex is going I'd take it.

    Grab some more during term time at a small solicitors firm - it's easier to get fun stuff to do in a smaller firm where people will get to know you. Don't expect much structure though.


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