Summer Assignments: Ask & You Shall Receive

For me, one of Weil’s major selling points was the opportunity to sample rewarding, substantive work across a range of practice areas while centering on your personal interests. Even by week two, I’ve begun to see the firm deliver on that promise. During my second weekly check-in meeting with my assignment coordinator, I mentioned that I would be interested in getting involved in any pro bono cases that are active within the litigation group. Within a few hours, my coordinator got in touch with me to let me know she had added me to the team on an asylum case for the remainder of my litigation rotation. The associate on the case quickly reached out to express her excitement to loop me in and to give me a flavor of the type of work I would see if I choose to join the litigation group permanently.

Not unexpectedly, my first meeting with the associate on the case was a bit of an informational whirlwind; she has, after all, been involved with the case for a year and has grown to truly understand the client and his story. Nonetheless, I left the meeting feeling like I had a clear sense of the work product that the team wanted me to put together, a high-level overview of the case trajectory, and the resources at-hand for me to gain a deeper understanding of the case. Now, as I begin to dive into the background materials for my research project, I feel confident and supported even though I am wading in rather-unfamiliar waters.

The team has already invited me along to a few events happening throughout the next couple of weeks, including expert prep sessions, client prep sessions, and most importantly, the immigration court hearing next week. I’m really looking forward to seeing the associates in action at the hearing—it will be the culmination of many months of preparation and careful planning. Moreover, I feel lucky to have a hand in advocating on behalf of this client. Getting this opportunity in the second week of my summer has made me excited for what is in store at Weil for both the rest of the summer and beyond.