What’s been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned about working in law since you started at Szaferman Lakind this summer?
Madison: The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is how to research state statutes and legislation more effectively. I have been tasked with several assignments having to do with legislation and an area of law that I was previously unfamiliar with. Those forced me out of my comfort zone, taught me how to find and interpret laws effectively and quickly, and gave me a better understanding of many of our state’s laws and regulations. Doing so many different types of projects has given me experience in a plethora of new legal areas that I will definitely use going forward in my career.
Benjamin: One of the most important lessons that I’ve learned is that no matter how experienced or knowledgeable someone is about the law or litigation, there is always more to learn. Collaborating with other attorneys, using their insight and unique understanding of complex problems, leads to a well-rounded solution. Here at Szaferman Lakind, asking questions isn’t attributed to inexperience, but rather shows an individual’s commitment to their craft. Being a good lawyer is something that takes time and continued learning throughout a career. This firm has shown that one of the keys to success is constantly seeking ways to improve, while not being afraid to employ the help of colleagues.
Where you’re currently attending school, what year you’re in, and what specific practice area you’re hoping to focus on in your future legal career?
Madison: I am a rising third-year law student at Widener University – Delaware Law School. Ultimately, I believe I would like to go into corporate or general business law. Both have interested me for years and I could see myself having long careers in either practice area.
Benjamin: I am entering my 3L year at Maurice A. Deane School of Law of Hofstra University. I serve as the Peer Review Editor of Family Court Review, where I oversee the article review portion of the journal’s publication process. In the future, I am hoping to practice litigation. This summer, I am honing those litigation skills as they relate to personal injury and sexual assault cases.
Looking ahead, how do you see this internship helping you with your future career in law?
Madison: This internship will help me in my future career in multiple ways. It has shaped my understanding of what it is like to work at a firm full-time. It has also taught me crucial time and assignment management skills for the work environment. More than anything, however, this internship has given me a deeper understanding of many different areas of business law, which has widened my breadth of legal knowledge extensively. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity that I was given this summer and I hope that I was helpful to my superiors along the way. I learned so much and I feel more confident as a budding attorney than I did two months ago.
Benjamin: Law school teaches students many things, from what the law is, how to think like a lawyer, and even how to write like a lawyer. The skills learned there are useless without understanding how to be a lawyer. This internship takes the skills I’ve learned in school and applies them to the real world. Many of these lessons come from watching established attorneys masterfully maneuver through their workday, while asking insightful questions. Using a classic legal phrase, law school teaches you the form of law, while Szaferman Lakind has taught me the substance of the legal practice. I appreciate the opportunity the firm has given me, and I will continue to sharpen my professional skills as the Summer continues.
