“The office is very diverse which is very enlightening.
Interviewer:
“To begin, can you please introduce yourself?”
Michael Lawson:
“Sure, I’m Michael Lawson, a rising 2L at Syracuse College of Law.”
Interviewer:
“What did you enjoy most about working at Adam Leitman Bailey PC?”
Michael Lawson:
“What I enjoyed most about Adam Leitman Bailey PC is the environment. Everyone here is very welcoming, with an open-door policy, and very approachable, which is hard to find. The office is also very diverse, which was enlightening and cool to see, with people coming from different walks of life and experiences. This really contributes to the overall community in the office. I also enjoyed the amount of hands-on work in the externship program. You’re never bored here; you’re always busy and have to seek out work if you ever need something to do. You’re always finding something to keep you working, growing, and learning.”
Interviewer:
“What type of tasks did you perform during your time here?”
Michael Lawson:
“I worked directly under the transactional department. Many of the things I did included preparing documents, closing documents, and attending closings, whether we were representing the bank, the buyer, or the seller. I also helped prepare closing binders and sent them to clients. I did research for buyers and sellers, researching buildings, performing due diligence, and reading board minutes for buildings.”
Interviewer:
“What would you say is your proudest accomplishment from your time here?”
Michael Lawson:
“My proudest accomplishment would be doing a research project that Adam directly gave me. I spent a couple of weeks working on it, and it ultimately turned into an article about how real estate lawyers can help prepare property owners for the next disaster, whether that’s in landlord-tenant matters, business insurance, or flood insurance. It was really rewarding to work on something that turned into a published article.”
Interviewer:
“What makes Adam Leitman Bailey PC unique?”
Michael Lawson:
“Definitely the drive. Every single attorney and staff member in this office is very driven, and that starts with Adam’s leadership. This is the greatest law firm in New York, and everyone acts that way. It’s how they prepare documents, conduct research, interact with clients—everything is done to the highest standard. That’s what really sets the firm apart, and it’s incredibly helpful for learning and growing. Adam really sets the tone; there’s no other lawyer like him. His push for excellence holds everyone to a higher standard, and it creates a great atmosphere to learn and grow, especially for law students.”
Interviewer:
“Do you have any advice for future interns or associates?”
Michael Lawson:
“Yes, my best advice would be to seek out work. Don’t just sit at your desk and wait for work to come to you. Reach out to people, go find tasks, speak to others outside your department, and take on work that’ll help you learn and grow. Later on, when those lawyers need something done, they’ll reach out to you first because they know you’ll get it done.”
Interviewer:
“Would you recommend Adam Leitman Bailey PC to others?”
Michael Lawson:
“Absolutely. I’d recommend Adam Leitman Bailey PC to a great friend. It’s a fantastic location, a great place to learn and grow. One of the unique things about the way Adam teaches is that it’s not just about being the best lawyer, but about being the best lawyer in New York City. There’s a big difference in learning to be a lawyer, and then learning to work in New York City, which is an incredible experience.”