1. Benefits of Having Students “Shadow” Practicing Attorneys Mary Nagel – Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Lawyering Skills – The John Marshall Law School

2.   Noticed that most Students’ idea of a typical lawyer … How We Started

3.   Lawsuits filed in the morning and tried in the afternoon  Every lawyer is a trial attorney  Juries hear every aspect of the law  All cases filed are tried  Lawyers don’t write  Lawyers never spend time here … False Impressions

4.  Idea for Shadowing

5.   Wanted Students to Know What Lawyers REALLY DO  Interaction with Clients, Members in the firm/organization, Opposing Counsel, Judges  Network  Ethics and Professionalism  Mentors Focus

6.   Shadowing Sets the context for how lawyers ACTUALLY work  Externs/Interns Later in the law school career Promotes public service Different from an Internship/Externship

7.  What Lawyers REALLY Do  WRITE Emails Letters Memos Pleadings and Filings (and Discovery) Transactional Documents Regulatory Filings Orders

8.   Interact Members of the firm/organization Clients Opposing Counsel Witnesses Staff/Legal vendors Judges Juries … and

9.  … not generally

10.   Find the Student’s Area of Interest Easier to Accommodate in Urban Settings If not feasible, then shadow local attorneys – all will see how the local attorney runs his firm/organization How It Works

11.   Contact Attorneys in the Area Generally flattered to help Work with Alumni groups or Career Services Local bar associations Fosters good will with practicing bar … then

12.   Discussions of Ethics and Professionalism Initial contact Dress Behavior Demeanor at the office/organization Post Shadowing Contact – Networking Possibilities Student Involvement

13.   Students Write on the Experience Memo on Shadowing Thank you letter Possible writing sample/resume fodder Writing

14.   Surprising Side Effects Attorney becomes concerned for student Wants to help with career Assists with class choices for electives Introduces students to others in the area Bar Associations/Practice Associations Mentoring