LAW
CLERK INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
At the request of several placement offices,
we have established the volunteer Law Clerk Internship Program at my private
law office.
When I was in law school, I didn't have a
lawyer or mentor from whom I could get "off the record" advice. Law schools and pre-law programs don't teach
students how to practice law or serve clients.
We try to "give a chance" to deserving law students and
paralegals. I promise you will learn New Jersey Law and Procedures. On your first day, we will provide you with
training materials and computer assistance.
We provide detailed instructions on office procedures, how to use the
Macintosh computer and how to work on litigation files, especially criminal and
probate cases.
When I was in law school, we were only
told to memorize substantive law and to repeat the law on tests. Very little was taught on how to practice
law, work in an office or handle responsibility. Most young lawyers have difficulty adapting
in their first law firm job. We now provide law practice management skills such
as using computers in litigation, completing time sheets and
interview/investigation techniques.
All
participants are given instructions how to handle phone calls, draft letters in
response to correspondence and discuss how files are set up. You will use the Macintosh to type, spell
check and print form letters to clients informing them of hearings or motions.
Law Clerks read the files and are permitted
to handle phone calls out to obtain information needed, such as speaking with police
and prosecutors to obtain discovery and police reports.
Many law firms use law clerks as
research only and tools. Law Clerks
handle day-to-day telephone follow up tasks and chase adversaries and
government departments who failed to respond to our Requests for Documents or
did not comply with subpoenas.
There are many responsibilities, which
each law clerk must assume. They must
work as regular employees, appear in professional Court attire and complete
assigned work tasks rather than shoot-the-breeze. My own internship experience was not a useful
experience because the office I clerked for had no assigned tasks, no specific
days to appear and no requirements. By
learning through a real work environment, my mentor/internship program prepares
students for working with a busy litigation law office.
Our office is now successfully equipped
to handle 5 part time law clerks since they work on 6 computers. We select students who are willing to
dedicate the time and energy needed. It
has been a successful program for my office and we hope to continue this unique
program for years to come to benefit the students who need an opportunity to
learn and prove themselves. We believe you will be satisfied with our program.
I serve as a mentor and reference on
behalf of students who finish the program.
We show students how to communicate with clients, set up litigation
files, obtain police reports, and the importance of marketing. We remain
available after their 12-week internship for references and questions. I have a
feeling of satisfaction helping the "non- law review, middle and bottom of
the class" unemployed students. Someday, when these students become the
Chief Justice, they will remember the lawyer who helped them out in the
beginning. This personal mentor/internship program has given me friendship and
a feeling of accomplishment. We also
bridge the gap between school placement offices and the real world by providing
career advice and suggestions.
If any other students are also
interested, please have them send us a cover letter and resume immediately.
It is helpful if applicants have some
familiarity with adding podcasts to ITunes, or HTML programming, web page
design and maintenance and Internet technology. We sponsor a statewide website
with information on litigation, personal injury, criminal and probate matters.
If you can update a website, please indicate so in the first paragraph of your
cover letter. This office is committed to excellence and service to clients and
the community. Applicants must have attention to detail.
Summer - minimum 18 hours per week
School Year - minimum 10 hours per week Sept-May
Christmas/Winter Break - minimum 30
hours per week
KENNETH VERCAMMEN
& ASSOCIATES, PC
ATTORNEY
AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
(Fax) 732-572-0030
website: www.njlaws.com
