Reflecting on a summer working remotely for a New York law firm
This summer, I worked remotely for a New York law firm for five weeks in what turned out to be a highly rewarding and engaging experience. I rotated through four practice groups, one for each week: Litigation, Pro Bono, Bankruptcy, Private Equity, and Mergers and Acquisitions. During my Litigation rotation, I was fortunate to connect with and work for the co-chair of the White-Collar Defense and Investigations Group. I was also able to attend a white-collar witness preparation session over WebEx with an associate and a partner from the Washington D.C. office. As I aspire to develop a white-collar practice, I was thrilled to have met and engaged with many of the group members over the course of the summer program. Furthermore, the remote format of the summer program allowed for collaboration across offices, which was well-received by both lawyers and students alike.
During my Pro Bono rotation, I worked on an asylum application and helped obtain a protection order for a victim of domestic violence. In securing the protection order, I worked with a fellow summer associate in drafting and filing the petition with the court, while directly interacting with the client each step of the way. We operated under a tight 24-hour timeline, which culminated in a favourable outcome for our client. It was extremely fulfilling to engage directly with the client and to know that we made an incredible difference in her and her children’s lives.
During my Bankruptcy rotation, I worked on matters related to Puerto Rico and learned about the unique demands of the Commonwealth in what marks unprecedented territory in bankruptcy law. I am grateful that the firm afforded opportunities to gain substantial work experience over the course of a shortened student program, and fostered an environment conducive to networking and building real relationships. By the end of the program, I had connected with my summer cohort and the recruitment team, along with junior, mid-level, and senior associates, and partners from across the offices, many with whom I have remained in touch.
Some of the highlights from the summer program include a three-part “Who Kidnapped My Boss” activity where we worked in teams to solve the mystery, a virtual escape room, a mixology class, and weekly Zoom socials where we could connect with one another and with lawyers. The remote summer program far exceeded my expectations, and I left feeling fulfilled and connected to the firm. I will be writing the New York bar in July of 2021 and am excited to join the firm as a first-year associate next fall.
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