Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Associates at Morrison and Foerster
Even without prior legal experience, Michael highlights "legal internships" and "being a paralegal" as valuable entry-level options for undergraduates interested in law, offering exposure to firm operations and the work of corporate attorneys—information which is not always readily available in law school. These positions allow individuals to determine if a legal career aligns with their interests before committing to law school.
Legal Internships, Paralegal Roles, Networking, Career Exploration, Entry-Level Positions
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Santos
Associate
Morrison & Foerster LLP
Santa Clara University
Georgetown University - JD
Business Management & Admin
Law
Legal
Took Out Loans, Transfer Student, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Legal internships are available for undergraduate college students at law firms.
2. Working as a paralegal is a common path to law school and a career in law.
3. Exposure to the inner workings of law firms is valuable in determining if this career path is a good fit for a student and provides a wide range of options within the legal field
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
As someone who didn't have much experience in the legal field before law school, these were avenues I didn't really pursue or know about. But having gone through law school and worked at a law firm, I do think there are options to get involved and gain exposure.
Of course, to be an attorney, you have to go through law school and pass the bar. However, there are legal internships for people in or out of college at law firms. Being a paralegal is also something I've seen many people do before going to law school.
I definitely think there are ways to get exposed to the legal field, whether at a big law firm, a boutique firm, or something outside of those. Even without a law degree or passing the bar, there are avenues to gain experience.
This exposure is incredibly valuable for understanding how a law firm operates and the type of work corporate attorneys do. You don't get that much exposure to it in law school.
It can be a great way to see if this is something you're interested in. There are so many different paths within the legal space. Taking advantage of these opportunities during undergrad or law school is extremely valuable.