law school, internship

What to Expect During a Legal Internship in the Philippines 3 months ago

Engaging in a legal internship in the Philippines is a significant step towards understanding the practical application of Philippine law in real-world scenarios. It may be daunting at first, but your learnings from such an experience will definitely make it worth your time and effort.

 

Are you curious as to how legal internships work, or are you entering into a legal internship any time soon? Here’s what to expect!

 

Culture and Office Arrangements

Perhaps the most important thing to be prepared for when entering into a legal internship is the culture of the particular law firm that you are planning to/ going to work in. Most law firms follow a structured, hierarchical system, while others may be more relaxed. In this regard, make sure to adjust accordingly! Do your due diligence, observe intently, and even ask around! Getting along with law firm culture is one of the most important initial steps when entering into a legal internship.

 

Office arrangements vary from law firm to law firm. Some require their interns to be at the office everyday, while some offer work-from-home arrangements. As per location, most of the law firms in the Philippines are located in business-centered areas such as Makati CBD, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), and Ortigas. 
 

 

Exposure to Legal Practice

Primarily, one enters into a legal internship in the Philippines to have a glimpse into the day-to-day operations of law firms, government agencies, or perhaps corporate legal departments. Interns witness how legal practitioners navigate through the intricacies and apply Philippine law.  As an intern, your tasks would most likely consist of the following:

 

1. Drafting legal memos and other documents;

Simply stated, a legal memo is a document used in legal practice to identify and advise on the legal issues in a client’s case — it is commonplace to have interns create these documents in order to assist supervising lawyers to legal questions that may have. While certain law firms may have different preferences in terms of format, a legal memo more or less looks like this:

 

2. Conducting research;

In creating legal memos and drafting certain documents, you will surely be engaged in legal research as well. Legal research, in a nutshell, consists of three main steps: Identifying the legal question; gathering resources; and synthesizing. For a more extensive discussion on legal research, read up on A Step-by-Step Guide on How to do Legal Research by yours truly!

 

3. Attending court hearings and client consultations. 

These tasks in particular bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge acquired in law school and its practical application in various legal contexts. Furthermore, these will also give you an insight on how court hearings in practice work and how lawyers communicate professionally with their clients. Make sure to observe proper etiquette when engaged in these tasks!

 

Learning from Your Supervising Lawyers

Opportunity-wise, one of the most valuable aspects of a legal internship is the chance to learn from seasoned lawyers and mentors. Interns work closely with experienced attorneys who provide guidance, share insights, and impart practical wisdom garnered from years of practice. Be open to learning new things and be acceptable to criticism. At the end of the day, a legal internship is supposed to give you an insight as to the lawyer that you want to be.

 

Understanding Legal Ethics

Legal internships will teach you how to deal with different people as well. Ethical conduct is one of the paramount considerations in the practice of law, and internships provide a platform for interns to understand and uphold professional ethics. They witness firsthand the importance of confidentiality, integrity, and diligence in legal representation with respect to both firm activities and ones where a client is involved. 

 

Building Relationships

Legal internships facilitate networking opportunities that are vital for career advancement. Interns interact with legal professionals, clients, and fellow interns, expanding their professional network within the Philippine legal community. Building positive relationships can lead to mentorship opportunities, job referrals, and valuable insights into different legal specialties or career paths within the field of law — pretty handy, if you ask me.

 

Conclusion

Should you enter into a legal internship? If your time and schedule permits, you should! Legal internships are a great opportunity to see how the law works in practice, forge connections with practitioners, and gain further understanding of the career path that you want to pursue in the future.

 

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Digest.PH is the best tool for legal research — helpful for your internship! Check out our Collection of Free Case Digests!

At Digest.PH, we understand the importance of quality resources for legal research and education. That's why we offer a curated collection of free legal case digests, meticulously selected to aid practitioners, scholars, and students in their pursuit of legal knowledge. Explore our repository today and empower yourself with essential insights into the world of law!

 

With access to reliable sources and online platforms, conducting thorough research has never been easier. Elevate your understanding of the law today with the help of the best legal research in the Philippines!


 

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