“It’s a very welcoming environment here, they are here to help you learn” – Brandon, Extern
My name is Brandon Cho, and I go to Syracuse University College of Law. Right now, I’m a summer extern at Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. in the Litigation Department. I found out about this opportunity through our school’s OCI page, which is for on-campus recruiting. I read the description, and it seemed really interesting. After checking out the website, I was impressed with what they’ve accomplished here.
My impression of Adam and the firm was that they’re very professional, straightforward, and powerful advocates. You could tell by the way the firm was described in articles and the way Adam spoke about it that he’s very passionate about what he does.
After contacting OCI, they emailed me back and wanted to schedule an interview. The interview itself was quick and fast-paced, with a lot of jumping from one question to the next. I was a little nervous because Adam scrutinized every aspect of my application—from my writing sample to my resume and cover letter—pointing out details I might have missed. It gave me an impression of the expectations going forward, not only at the firm but also for my professional career in general. Even that experience was a learning opportunity.
The environment here is very welcoming. It’s not like what you’d expect at a traditional law firm where you’re being reprimanded or yelled at. The people here are genuinely looking to help you learn. They don’t view you as just a resource to take advantage of—they’re here to teach. I think that’s really important, and they’re very approachable.
The most valuable lesson I’ve learned here is that there’s an expectation to put forth your best work from the very beginning. You have to think of yourself as an employee rather than just a student. You’re entering a professional career, and you need to hold yourself to a high standard.
This experience has been better than I expected. I was worried that I’d be given mundane tasks, like coffee runs or just busy work, but that’s not the case here. This firm is really focused on helping and teaching you.
My first impression of litigation was that I’d be going to court, trying cases, and making legal arguments. But I’ve realized that’s not necessarily the case here. They want to keep that aspect mainly on the partners’ side since we’re still learning the basics.
On a day-to-day basis, I get assignments from attorneys and partners, such as researching cases and putting together answers or briefs for specific legal issues. There’s no set supervising attorney; when you’re available, they’ll give you assignments. They try not to overload you with work and give you research projects that help them dive into specific legal issues. I research the cases and put together briefs based on what they’re looking for. If my findings don’t match their expectations, I explain why, or if they do, I point them in the right direction.
My favorite project here was one I worked on with Vlad, one of the attorneys in the litigation group. He gave me an issue to start with related to ouster, alongside Jason. I researched that issue, and as I dug deeper, the project evolved, leading me to explore claims of right and adverse possession. The project kept expanding, which gave me a real sense of what legal work is like in practice.
The externs here are very approachable. Whenever I had questions or needed help with a case, they explained things slowly and clearly, making sure I understood. They were always respectful of my time and willing to teach me. I never felt like I was being brushed off. Adam was the same way—he always had an open door. If I asked him if he had a minute, he’d always say yes, and while his time was limited, he’d always offer insightful and helpful advice.
I would definitely recommend this externship to anyone really interested in real estate law. This firm specializes in real estate law, so if that’s the area you’re passionate about, it’s a great fit. Plus, if you want to get the New York experience, working here in the city is an added bonus.
For future externs, my advice would be to present your best work from the start. It doesn’t have to be done quickly—what matters most is getting it right. But also know when to ask for guidance. The attorneys here are very welcoming when it comes to questions, and they’re always open to teaching moments.