The Externship Experience - Week 1
By 3L Wendy Dimpfl
May 19 - 23, 2008. This is my first week at George & Shields, LLP, a business law firm in Irvine. I began my week by being introduced to everyone at the small firm. Everyone made me feel so welcome and I was even given my very own office! My mentor, Mr. Shields, wanted to slowly bring me into the new setting without becoming too overwhelmed on my first day, so he started by extending an invitation to attend the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting. He serves on the Board of Directors, as well as participates in several other community groups, because as he says, networking is essential to working as an attorney. I happily accepted and accompanied him to the lunch meeting where I met several prominent Newport Beach business people. Then, Mr. Shields gave me a list of tasks to work on throughout my first week.
My first job was to proofread and edit purchase and sale agreement forms for a client who was purchasing a small business. Since I was the first set of eyes to view these documents, I had to ensure that I thoroughly read the detailed contract papers, being careful to catch any errors in the document.
Then, my next task was to contact possible expert witnesses on the California Association of Realtor Forms to use in a mediation conference between a client and their broker. My job included not only researching who would be the best experts on the subject matter, but I also had to contact the candidates, explain the case to them and then evaluate whether or not they would be a suitable potential expert witness, where I would then relay my findings o Mr. Shields. One candidate seemed so promising, that Mr. Shields and I contacted him by telephone for a 30-minute conference in order to go into more detail about the situation and to receive his feedback on the matter and qualifications. A few tips I learned from interviewing expert witnesses is to ask them about their experience serving as an expert witness, ask for a copy of their curriculum vitae in order to evaluate whether they would be helpful to your case and most importantly, always meet them in person so that you can get a personal feel if they would be right for your case.
I also had to read through a memo detailing the background information of an upcoming meeting we had with a prospective client. I had the chance to sit-in on the meeting, which is something I have never done before. It was very interesting because I listened to the communication between Mr. Shields and the prospective clients, took notes and thought of resourceful knowledge I could contribute to the conversation. Immediately following the meeting, Mr. Shields asked me to research the issue of usury as it applies to this particular client's case and to draft a memo of the research and issues I discovered. The main issue I was instructed to write about was whether a client can keep the accumulated interest on a promissory note if the interest rate violates the usury statute, and specifically whether the broker exception to usury rules applied to this particular client's situation. After finding my answers and drafting my first "non-graded" research memo, I proudly submitted my finished work to Mr. Shields. Then, my next step was to draft a demand letter to the creditor of this claim.
Throughout the first week, I had several other first time experiences. I drafted my own externship offer letter, which Mr. Shields read and approved. I also attended my first day of court. Mr. Shields and I visited the Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana to appear on a motion to compel a deposition. Court was so exciting, but I have to admit, it was also a little intimidating! It was interesting to see how different attorneys represented themselves in front of the judge and their colleagues. I found it fascinating to listen to the way lawyers communicated with one another and the court and the manner in which they spoke and the words they used - it almost seems like they use a different language in the courtroom - a respectful and sophisticated language! Although it was short, I definitely enjoyed my first trip to court. I was able to see how everything worked, from going through the security check, to visiting the county clerk's office, to waiting outside the courtroom and finally to watching attorneys interact with the judge.
My first week at my externship was amazing and I am so excited to continue working for Mr. Shields. I think this summer is going to be an extremely valuable experience and I am anxious to learn whatever else is in store for me!
Read: Wendy's Externship Experience - Week 6
Read: Wendy's Externship Experience - Week 5
Read: Wendy's Externship Experience - Week 4
Read: Wendy's Externship Experience - Week 3
Read: Wendy's Externship Experience - Week 2
Read: Wendy's Externship Experience - Introduction
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