1L summer offers students inside look at legal practice, pro bono experience
'My 1L Summer Experience' series captures student voices sharing details from their exciting and informative internships and associate positions.
This summer, the Admissions Office caught up with rising 2Ls for details on their internship or summer associate positions and to learn how the students utilized the resources at Duke Law to find opportunities that matched their interests and aspirations.
For most 1Ls, the search for a summer position starts at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC), Office of Public Interest and Pro Bono (PIPB), or Office of International Studies. Students are equipped with a number of tools, including insights on where 2Ls and 3Ls worked for their 1L summer, as well as opportunities for networking with Duke Law alums, receiving individualized career counseling, and honing resume and interviewing skills.
“We hope students might use their 1L summer to discover a practice area that interests them or even rule out something they were previously considering,” said CPDC Assistant Dean Jennifer Caplan said. “Some may try out a new geographic location. The overall hope is that they develop relationships with attorneys and start building a network, improve communication skills, practice attention to detail, and find a mentor.”
Students can typically look for opportunities that include big law firms, public interest organizations, government agencies, judicial chambers and companies, both in the U.S. and abroad. They may get exposure to practice areas including intellectual property, M&A, tax law, labor and employment, sports law, asset management, and private equity, as well as public defense, immigrant rights, environmental, criminal prosecution and many others.
Students interested in pursuing a summer position in an unpaid government or public interest internship or judicial internship may qualify for assistance from the Duke Law Public Interest Summer Internship Grants. The funding is guaranteed to any student who meets the necessary requirements and first-year students must complete at least 15 pro bono hours during the academic year to receive funding.
"Summer funding opens so many meaningful and rewarding internship openings to students," said Stella Boswell, associate dean of public interest and pro bono. "Each summer we have students providing critical civil or criminal law legal services to individual clients, public interest nonprofits, and government entities of all levels. The Law School would not be able to fund these opportunities without the generosity of alumni."
“My internship experience has deepened my resolve to work in federal prosecution, as I have been able to effectively pursue my interests in criminal law, litigation, and public service,” said Hamza Chaudhry ’25, who interned at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division in D.C.
“None of this would have been possible without the guidance of my career counselor Meg Lorenzen, who helped me find an opportunity that fit my academic and professional backgrounds.”
Read on for reflections from students who were highlighted in Duke Law Admissions’ ‘My 1L Summer Experience’ series posted to its Instagram page in July.
I spent my 1L Summer at Akin Gump in Dallas. I attended the College of New Jersey and graduated in 2022. I received my bachelor's degree in both Philosophy and English. While in undergrad and the summer before law school, I worked as a legal assistant at a personal injury law firm.
At Akin, I worked on a variety of cases and projects. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to work on investment funds projects and tax projects. These assignments were both challenging and rewarding. I also had the opportunity to work on pro bono cases, including those concerning access to reproductive rights. It has been such a privilege to work with wonderfully intelligent and dedicated individuals on important issues.
In addition, I enjoyed attending some of the social events, including Top Golf and an Eataly Pasta Class! Towards the end of my summer, I had the opportunity to work in-house with one of Akin's clients at 7-Eleven. It was wonderful to experience what it is like to be an in-house attorney (and to try all the new Slurpee flavors!)
I am so thankful to have secured a 1L associate position at such an amazing firm, and I owe it all to Duke Law. During a Duke networking event, I met an attorney and Duke alum from Akin. After the event, we stayed connected and thanks to these connections, I was able to join Akin for the summer.
My internship has allowed me to really grasp the different practice areas of law. I am now extremely interested in both tax and investment fund work. I am beyond thankful to Duke Law for allowing me to have such an amazing opportunity.
This has been an awesome summer experience and I look forward to seeing what next summer holds!
I am originally from St. Louis, Missouri. I am spending my 1L Summer at Jones Day in their Chicago office and am overjoyed to be back in the Midwest! Prior to law school, I attended Grinnell College in Iowa and ultimately graduated with a B.A. in Biology. Following undergrad, I returned home to St. Louis and took part in Teach for America, where I taught biology and AP biology for three years and served as the department chair of the science faculty in my final two years. While teaching, I earned a master's degree in education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
This summer I have been able to complete projects in the intellectual property, labor & employment, healthcare, and pro bono practice areas. The opportunity to try out projects in a multitude of practice areas has given me the opportunity to confirm that the Intellectual Property group suits my interests and strengths as a budding attorney.
Because of Jones Day's deep commitment to pro bono, I have had an opportunity to work on several pro bono matters. I assisted in creating a tool for healthcare providers to use in navigating the patchwork of state laws concerning their obligations in reporting signs of human trafficking. Additionally, I was able to help support the writing of a Summary Judgment Motion in a § 1983 case. Beyond working on substantive projects, I have had the opportunity to go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, participate in deposition and negotiation workshops, and explore the city of Chicago!
I am thankful for the opportunities Duke Law has provided me. As someone who is a first-generation college graduate and from a low-income background, navigating the 1L summer job search was intimidating. Fortunately, I was able to lean on the knowledge of my peers (many who are fellow members of Duke Law First Class) and my counselor, Jennifer Caplan. I am forever grateful for this summer experience!
I am spending my 1L summer as an intern at the Fraud Section of the U.S. Department of Justice's Criminal Division in Washington, D.C. I graduated from Princeton University in 2019 and worked at Bain and Company in their New York Office for two years. I then received my master's degree in economic and social history from the University of Cambridge.
Within the Fraud Section, I have been working on cases in the Market Integrity and Major Frauds Unit, as well as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Unit. I have gained a tremendous amount of valuable experience in criminal litigation, ranging from conducting legal research on theories of liability to drafting motions in limine prior to trial. Beyond my daily case work, I have been able to attend a variety of training sessions and intern events, where I have learned about the intricacies surrounding certain federal prosecutions, as well as the various career paths taken by attorneys serving at the Justice Department.
My internship experience has deepened my resolve to work in federal prosecution, as I have been able to effectively pursue my interests in criminal law, litigation, and public service. None of this would have been possible without the guidance of my career counselor Megan Lorenzen, who helped me find an opportunity that fit my academic and professional backgrounds. I look forward to seeing what the rest of my D.C. summer has in store!
I am spending my summer with the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender in Memphis, Tennessee. I graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2022 with a degree in College Scholars: Migration Studies, and I hope to be a public defender in the future.
This summer, I am working in the office's direct representation unit, which handles felony cases from arrest to disposition. Thus far, I have conducted mitigation interviews, researched and written memos and motions, and supported fact investigation and trial preparation efforts.
As an intern, I also attend weekly trainings and workshops focused on client-centered representation, bail hearings, sentencing hearings, mitigation, and negotiation strategy. The office also hosts brown bag lunches with local leaders and nonprofits, a kickball tournament, and various Memphis outings—think barbecue and the National Civil Rights Museum!
As a future public defender, I chose this internship because of the office's unique opportunities for training, mentorship, and community. I worked closely with my career counselor, Stella Boswell, to identify my summer goals and location preferences... all of which led me to Memphis!
I have absolutely loved my experience in the office, so far, and I am excited to see what the rest of the summer holds!
I am spending my summer with the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJOPD) in Hudson County. I graduated from Columbia University and The Jewish Theological Seminary in 2019 with degrees in Human Rights and Jewish Thought, respectively. Prior to Duke, I was a paralegal at both a big law firm and a private credit firm in NYC.
I wanted a summer experience that was different from my previous roles, and one that would sharpen not only my lawyering skills but my personal development, as well. The N.J. Office of the Public Defender has been instrumental in shaping my understanding of the criminal justice system and the important work that public defenders do. As an intern, I've gone to court and witnessed jury trials, interacted with clients, conducted research, and drafted motions, and even conducted investigations!
I have been fortunate to receive outstanding guidance from two amazing career counselors at Duke: Bethan Eynon, director of public interest careers, and Jennifer Caplan, assistant dean of the Career & Professional Development Center. Bethan has been incredibly supportive of my interest in public defense, helping me shape my professional narrative and explore various opportunities. Simultaneously, Jennifer has been a key resource during the pre-OCI (on-campus interview) process, assisting me in navigating big law interviews and offers. I am truly grateful for the supportive network at Duke Law and the doors it has opened for me.
I love my experience at the NJOPD and am excited to bring the skills and passion I've learned from the attorneys here with me to my firm next summer!
I am spending my 1L summer at Fried Frank, a big law firm in New York City that I was fortunate enough to receive a return offer from after my SEO Internship. Prior to law school, I went to UC Irvine and I graduated with a degree in political science. Afterward, I spent five years working in entertainment in Los Angeles.
This summer I have been afforded the opportunity to work on a wide breath of corporate and pro bono matters, including corporate finance, asset management, financial services, and a number of assignments from Access Justice Brooklyn. In particular, I deeply enjoyed my pro bono assignments with Her Justice where I counseled underprivileged women seeking uncontested divorces from their partners.
My time at Fried Frank has been filled with complex and challenging legal matters that have truly expanded on what I've learned in class at Duke—both in the academic and practical lawyering senses. I can truly say I am walking away from my time at the Fried Frank a better student and advocate.
Although I do not know what the future may hold as I navigate the wide range of career possibilities a JD offers, I can truly say that I am better informed and beyond grateful to have had the chance to work at a Fried Frank my 1L summer.
I am spending my 1L summer at Covington & Burling, a big law firm in Washington, D.C. I attended Vanderbilt University, where I graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in medicine, health, and society. Prior to law school, I spent time working in healthcare as an administrative fellow at a hospital in Nashville, and then as an SEO Law Fellow at Cleary Gottlieb in D.C.
This summer, I received the incredible opportunity to work on a variety of exciting legal matters in fields ranging from election and political law to sports. I also had the opportunity to interview a witness in a mock deposition--and even go to court and observe a murder trial!
My first year at Duke definitely helped equip me with the tools needed to succeed during my 1L summer internship. The Career Center, in particular, was instrumental in helping me compile my application materials and prepare for my interviews.
I have also had so much fun exploring the museums, festivals, and other activities in D.C. While I have not completely decided what type of law I will eventually practice, I am excited to continue to explore!
This summer, I am a summer associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in Los Angeles. I graduated from Pepperdine University in 2019 with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communication, and now plan to work in big law as a corporate attorney.
This summer at Simpson Thacher has been an incredible experience! To start, the people at the firm have all been kind and patient teachers. I have had matters in M&A, credit, and funds, and I've learned a lot about the firm's focus on private equity in this office. But while the corporate work has been such a great way to explore my future practice area, my favorite assignments have been my pro bono work, particularly my adoption case. It has been a privilege to work with a family on their adoption case, and now I will get to watch it get finalized at their adoption hearing!
I am incredibly fortunate to have secured a 1L associate position at such a fantastic firm, and I do have to thank Duke for it. I met a Simpson attorney from the Los Angeles office in the fall of my 1L year at Duke's Sharing Our Affinities reception for diverse students and attorneys. From there, we kept in touch, and, with the help of my fantastic career counselor Jon Ng, I was able to secure my position in the spring. As an LA native, I am truly fortunate to get to come back home with such a great opportunity in-hand.
This has been a wonderful summer experience and I look forward to seeing what next summer holds!
This summer, I was a summer associate at Holland & Hart in Denver. I graduated from Northeastern University in 2021, studying biology and entrepreneurship. Right after undergrad, I was a process engineer at Rivian.
Put simply, this summer was amazing. As you will hear very soon, it all starts with the people. I was surrounded by a wonderful summer class and was similarly mentored by brilliant lawyers. Substantively, with no legal experience, I wanted to dip my toes in different areas of the law. And fortunately, this desire was satisfied as I received assignments in capital markets, environmental law, and commercial litigation. But the truth is, my favorite parts of the summer were the social events. On one instance, the summer class got together and voluntarily painted houses. It was fulfilling to give back to the community while bonding as a class.
Understandably, obtaining a 1L associate position can be challenging. However, the Duke community--counselors, alumni, and upperclassmen--are experts at getting 1Ls the jobs they want. Firm insights, résumé reviews, and interviewing tips are just some of the advantages Duke students leverage during the recruiting process. For example, I was able to retrieve "inside" information for almost all my interviewers by reaching out to Duke alumni or upperclassmen working at a certain firm. And my counselor, a former big law attorney, bolstered my resume and personal statements. Put another way, Duke Law has the best employment outcomes for good reason.
My summer has been all that I asked for, and I look forward to what comes next!