Notes · Lawgistics

How to be a good intern

9 Jan

How To Be A Good Intern

9 Jan

Written by Niamh Kearney

A law internship isn’t about proving you know the law. It’s about proving you can work in a legal environment.

The interns who stand out aren’t the loudest or the most confident. They’re the ones partners trust, associates rely on and clients never notice (which is a compliment).

Here’s how to be one of them.

1. Accuracy Beats Speed, Every Time

In law, being almost right is the same as being wrong.

  • Read instructions twice
  • Check names, dates, citations, and numbering
  • Never assume, clarify

    • If you’re running late, flag it early. A late but correct document is usually better than a fast, flawed one.

2. Understand the Task Before You Start

Before opening a document, ask yourself:

  • What is this being used for?
  • Who is the audience (partner, client, court)?
  • What level of detail is expected?

    • A two-minute clarification can save two hours of re-work.

3. Research Like a Lawyer, Not a Student

Legal research isn’t about volume, it’s about relevance.

  • Use authorised sources
  • Note jurisdiction and currency
  • Distinguish cases properly
  • Don’t dump information, synthesise it

    • Good intern output:

  • Clear issue
  • Relevant law
  • Short explanation
  • Practical conclusion

4. Write Clearly and Conservatively

Your writing should be:

  • Precise
  • Neutral
  • Free of opinion unless asked
  • Grammatically perfect

    • Avoid:

  • Casual language
  • Over-confidence
  • Flowery explanations

    • If in doubt, simpler is better.

5. Respect Confidentiality, Always

This is non-negotiable.

  • Don’t discuss files outside the firm
  • Don’t share screenshots or stories

    • If you’re unsure whether something is confidential, assume it is.

6. Observe the Office Culture Carefully

Every firm is different.

Watch:

  • How emails are addressed
  • How partners are spoken to
  • How other interns ask questions
  • How mistakes are handled

    • Adapt quietly. Cultural intelligence matters.

7. Ask Questions the Right Way

Questions are encouraged, but be intentional.

Good approach:

“I’ve reviewed X and Y and drafted a preliminary note. I’m unsure whether the focus should be A or B - could you please advise?”

This shows thinking, not dependence.

8. Take Feedback Without Ego

You will get red-lined.

  • Don’t explain or justify
  • Say: “Thank you - I’ll revise it now.”
  • Apply the feedback next time

    • Improvement matters more than perfection.

9. Be Useful in the Small Moments

Small actions build big trust.

  • Bring a notebook to meetings
  • Offer to help when others are busy
  • Keep documents organised
  • Flag errors respectfully

    • Reliability is remembered.

Final Thought

A good law intern is not someone who knows everything.

It’s someone who:

  • Thinks carefully
  • Works accurately
  • Communicates clearly
  • Acts professionally
  • Learns quickly

Lawgistics Australia

First published on lawgistics.com.au. Views are the author’s. Not legal advice.

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