“I’m Taking Away That You Can Work Hard, but It Doesn’t Have to Be an Uncomfortable Experience”
Interviewer:
“Can you introduce yourself?”
Clay Willett:
“My name is Clay Willett, and I’m a 2L at New York Law School. I’m currently working in the litigation department at Adam Leitman Bailey PC.”
Interviewer:
“How did you hear about the firm and what was your interview process like?”
Clay Willett:
“Adam Leitman Bailey participates in on-campus interviews at New York Law School, so I applied and had an interview with Adam himself at my school. It went really well, and about a week later, I came to the office for a second interview. After that, I was offered an externship position.”
Interviewer:
“What’s your experience been like working at Adam Leitman Bailey?”
Clay Willett:
“My experience has been great. I originally applied for a litigation position, which I’ve really enjoyed, but I also expressed interest in transactional work. Adam was very accommodating and allowed me to work on some transactional assignments as well. Day-to-day, I’ve been doing legal research, writing memos, and assisting with any tasks that come up. I’ve also been working on a paper about HPE relocation liens, which has been a great experience.”
Interviewer:
“What’s the firm culture like?”
Clay Willett:
“The culture at Adam Leitman Bailey is fantastic. Everyone is very friendly and approachable. I’ve been able to learn a lot just by observing how the attorneys work together and interact. It’s clear that everyone here has a great legal mind, but what sets them apart is their work ethic and how they collaborate with each other.”
Interviewer:
“What’s one thing you’ll take away from your experience here?”
Clay Willett:
“One piece of advice I received here was to network, network, network. Networking is key. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that you can work hard, but you also need to observe and learn from the people around you. Seeing how attorneys interact with judges and adversaries really helps you learn what separates good lawyers from great ones.”
Interviewer:
“Did you have any opportunities to observe courtroom work?”
Clay Willett:
“Yes, I had the chance to observe a trial that David handled, which was a really interesting experience. Being able to see the trial process firsthand was very rewarding, and I enjoyed it a lot.”
Interviewer:
“Would you recommend working here?”
Clay Willett:
“Absolutely. It’s been an amazing experience, and I really enjoyed my semester here. The firm offers a great environment to learn and grow as a law student, and I’ve gained valuable insights into both litigation and transactional work.”