1L Summer: unpaid legal or paid legal-ish? Forum

[lolRCscrewyou]

So I have two offers for the summer, and they both want me to give an answer by Friday. Both are in the same area, so CoL and/or moving isn't an issue.

The first is a Legal Aid position. Unpaid, but lots of litigation work for interns (I want to do litigation).

The second is a Legislative and Political Internship and pays 5K for the summer. The actual job responsibilities are "working on a variety of critical environmental issues; direct experience with legislative and administrative structures; analyzing and developing public policy on timely issues; communicating with a variety of environmental groups; and utilizing research, writing, networking, and message development skills. The position will also provide an opportunity to engage in LCV’s political strategy. It will provide an opportunity to interact with legislators, both formally and informally."

Obviously I want the one with money, but I don't want to strike out at OCI this upcoming summer because my internship didn't have as many legal responsibilities as others. Will it matter? Or is ANY legal experience enough?

Or my third option is to do a hail mary, say no to both, and pray to heavens that some other opportunity will present itself

[RareExports]

What is your career path? What things are you interested in? Litigation is pretty broad.

I doubt your choice will make much of a difference at OCI, unless you are specifically interviewing with legal aid organizations or legislative/policy groups. Both positions are legal enough to give you something about which to talk. $5,000 is nice (and you should treat it as $6,000 or so after foregone interest and loan fees), but on the other hand, if you are more interested in the legal aid position or public interest work, the $5,000 may be insignificant in the long run of your entire career.

[magicmagic]

Yeah, I don't think it really matters. They're both legal enough to give you some experience. I would choose based on career goals/personal preference.

Good luck!

[Clemenceau]

The paid one.