Here, and I started doing summer and winter clerkships in my

first year. It's been a tremendous learning experience.

Most of my clerkships have lasted for a period of four weeks.

I've tried to vary the firms I work for, from a small two-man firm

Right through to a huge global firm. Each firm was different. At

Smaller firms, I was expected to be more independent and was

Responsible for more things. I liked that a lot. Since I was

usually the only clerk there at the time, I'd have to do whatever

Work needed to be done.

Working at the bigger firms was quite different. I was usually

One among many clerks. The work I performed there tended to

Concern bigger cases that were quite important and so they

had more 'prestige'. That was really interesting. At the larger

Firms, I usually had a chance to move between groups in

Different practice areas, helping out where needed. This

Allowed me to gain some insight into what was involved in the

Legal work carried out in these teams and in the different

Practice areas.

At the smaller firms, I wrote case briefs for the partners and

Associates, and all kinds of correspondence with clients from

The first day on, which I liked doing. At the bigger firms, I was

Asked to do research and to help to maintain court books.

That was a useful learning experience, too.

In my opinion, the main advantage of a clerkship at a large firm

is that you meet a lot of new people. There's a big network of

people - so many different lawyers and clients. There's also a

Greater emphasis on learning and developing the various skills

A lawyer needs in courses and seminars.

I must say that both the larger and the smaller firms tried to

Give me a sense of being a part of the company, as if I really

Belonged to their team. At the larger firms, I was even invited

To some of their social events, and that was really fun.

However, the smaller firms definitely made you feel more

Comfortable; everything was more friendly and relaxed. But in

Both types of firms I never felt that I was wasting my time.

My advice to you all is that it's really important to try to do

Clerkships, starting in your first year of law school. I also think

it's valuable to get to know a variety of firms, with different

practice areas and different sizes. I'm sure it will help you decide

What kind of law you want to practise later, and what kind of law

firm you'd feel most comfortable in.

Unit 2

Listening1

Ms Norris: So, based on all the background information you

Provided me with, my strongest recommendation is for you

To incorporate for the reasons we discussed.

Mr O'Hara: All right. Of course, I trust your judgment. But I'm

completely new to this. How does it work exactly? I mean, I

Assume that the paperwork has to be drafted by you and

Filed with the State...

Ms Norris: Well, um, let me begin by telling you about how the

Process works in our state, in Delaware. You know, quite a

Few large corporations choose to incorporate here due to

Our highly developed corporate legal system.

Mr O'Hara: Right. So what do we have to do first?

Ms Norris: The first thing you have to do is select a name -

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 859