Over the summer, 3Ls Yulia Davidzenka and Summer Young had the exciting opportunity to work as Summer Associates at Alverson Taylor Mortensen & Sanders in Las Vegas, NV. The firm's prestigious Summer Associate program is a paid program where students perform the work of associates under attorney supervision. The firm is one of the largest civil litigation firms in Nevada and provides legal services in the fields of medical malpractice, construction defect, and numerous other specialties.
During the 8 week program, Ms. Davidzenka and Ms. Young worked on legal research projects, drafted motions, attended depositions, settlement conferences, and observed court proceedings. Ms. Young said the "experience was invaluable" and she especially enjoyed observing oral arguments at the Nevada Supreme Court. She learned "what it is like to be a litigator in all aspects of the word" and that each attorney has a different style. Ms. Davidzenka was enthused by the opportunity to be in a challenging position that provided her with "hands on experience at an excellent firm" and appreciated the "smart and dedicated attorneys who helped me and taught me the intricacies of the profession."
Both Ms. Davidzenka and Ms. Young were offered the competitive position after interviewing through the On-Campus Interview Program at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Ms. Davidzenka stated that the Career Services "provided insightful information to help me prepare for the interview process and were always willing to answer my questions." Ms. Young met with Career Services frequently and recommends that students seeking a position for any semester to "set up a meeting with one of the counselor's as soon as possible to create a plan."
Ms. Davidzenka was successful in her job search partly because she thought broadly about her options. She advises students to "keep an open mind." "At first, I did not expect to take a position as a law clerk in Las Vegas, NV, because it was outside the geographical area I thought I would be working in. But it turned out to be a great experience that helped me shape my legal career path for the future ahead."
Ms. Young has made it a priority to enjoy the work she is doing and find growth in every position. She advises students to use their time in law school wisely and begin now to narrow down what they want to do. "Start out by putting some thought into what really interests you and be proactive in creating a plan to meet your goals". Jeff Chinn, Thomas Jefferson School of Law Director of Career Services, encourages all students to make use of the CS Office. "At CS, our goal is to help students find the right approach to their job search. Yulia and Summer talked to us throughout the application and interview process to become 100% prepared."
Ms. Davidzenka and Ms. Young followed their passions and thought broadly about their job search and career development. Undoubtedly their experience this past summer has given them new insight into their professional goals and provided them a platform for success after graduation. They were also in good company as Thomas Jefferson School of Law has had several alumni work at this firm.
The Thomas Jefferson School of Law Fall Recruiting and On-Campus Interview Program begins in August and runs through September. Students or employers interested in participating should contact [email protected].