“The environment has been nothing but welcoming and I really feel open to knock on any attorney or staff member’s door…” -Jacklyn DiRienzo, Extern
My name is Jacklyn Dierenzo, and I’m a rising 3L. I’m currently a litigation extern here at the firm. My day-to-day tasks can vary quite a bit, but they typically start with something from Adam, as I work closely with him. Whether it’s a quick research assignment or a meeting he wants me to attend, that helps me plan my day. I try to ensure I’m available for those important moments, and then I usually go around to each of the attorneys’ offices to see if they have any assignments for me. That typically makes up most of my day.
I mostly handle research tasks, and it’s been really beneficial. I feel like I’ve learned more from this experience than I have in any law school class in terms of real-world application. I get to work through tasks with Adam, and although he’s a very busy person, he always finds time to answer any questions I have. It’s been awesome to be able to sit down with him, even if he’s in the middle of something, and work through what I’m confused about. He’s also been extremely helpful with editing my writing, and I get to see how he makes edits, which helps me improve my writing for future assignments.
I also work closely with Danny, who’s a great person and a fantastic resource when I have questions. For example, not too long ago, Adam asked me to write something and find a specific decision online. After realizing I didn’t have access to it, I went to Danny, who walked me through how to get the document and even printed it out for me. He’s always willing to help, and he gives me interesting assignments to work on, which I appreciate.
Serena has also been a huge help. She’s really friendly and outgoing, and although her schedule is very full, she’s always ready to give me work if I’m in a bind. She’s great at keeping me busy and giving me valuable tasks.
My favorite part of this experience has been the opportunity to work with so many different attorneys. There are a lot of people in the office who I get to see regularly on my days here, and even those who work remotely still email me regularly with assignments. It’s been really interesting to interact with attorneys from different practice groups, whether it’s litigation or landlord-tenant law, and learn from their expertise.
From my very first day here, everyone has been incredibly welcoming. I had lunch with Adam and the other externs, which was a great opportunity to get to know the managing partners. Adam took the time out of his busy schedule to meet with us and hear what we were interested in learning and working on during our time here. He was really open to having us try different assignments, which made the experience even better.
Overall, the environment has been nothing but welcoming. I feel comfortable knocking on any attorney or staff member’s door to ask questions or just talk about my day. It’s a great place to work and gain real-world experience in a law firm, plus you get credits toward your graduation. I’ve also been able to apply what I learned in my property and real estate courses here at the firm, which has been fantastic.
If you’re interested in real estate law, I definitely recommend this externship. It’s a great opportunity to get hands-on practice and gain valuable experience.