by: Yerin Kim, U3, Political Science & Communications
McGill Pre-Law kids know the struggle – finding a legal internship as an undergrad isn’t easy. I started applying for internships after my first year. As an Arts student, it’s pretty hard not to get stuck comparing yourself to the Management kids interning at big firms or the PoliSci kids working at the UN. I never had that kind of connection or experience, but I wanted to be on that level – to feel like I was building something and gaining real professional experience. I want to emphasize that you DO NOT need a legal internship in your undergrad to get into law school. In fact, most law firms will not hire undergraduate applications. But if you’re curious about how I managed to get hands-on experience working in a family law firm – keep reading to find out 🙂
How I got the Job
As I mentioned, most big law firms only hire law students or recent graduates. After applying to many firms with no luck, I decided to go the informal route: I emailed all of the local law firms in my hometown, hoping that one would give me a response.
I reached out, made sure to emphasize my genuine interest in learning, and I got an offer for an interview, which later turned into a job offer as a summer student.
What I did in the Role
The office was run by a sole practitioner, with no formal internship program, meaning I got to (and had to) do a bit of everything. I drafted forms, affidavits, and correspondence, organized case files, conducted legal research, and handled client communication. I also sat in on meetings, learned to file documents, and saw how deadlines and emotions often collided in family law. I also had the opportunity to sit in on client meetings and shadow my lawyer during court appearances, which was easily the most eye-opening part of the job. I was able to see in real time how she balanced compassion and assertiveness to negotiate outcomes.
The thing about family law is that it involves high stakes – clients are often highly emotional and vulnerable, navigating some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I worked with people going through divorce, custody battles, family violence, etc. Every case carries personal weight, and as a legal assistant, you quickly learn that empathy and composure are just as essential as accuracy and efficiency. Because it was a small practice, I saw every side of it: the legal work, the administrative chaos, and the emotional labor behind each case. There were definitely stressful moments – tight deadlines, emotional clients, and mistakes. I learned about the importance of managing pressure when working in law, and being able to adapt quickly to changes in an emotional and fast-paced environment.
What I learned
- Law is emotional not abstract
In family law, each case is deeply human, impacting relationships, children, finances, etc. I really had to learn how to be both analytical and compassionate, realizing the weight of the outcomes on families.
- Small offices teach you fast
Working in a small office was NOT EASY. To be honest, I didn’t have a lot of guidance in the beginning, so I learned by doing. I had to be resourceful, very detail-oriented, and be able to figure out stuff on my own. I made mistakes, felt stressed (and sometimes lost), but it pushed me to become an independent learner and to take initiative within the firm.
- Mentorship doesn’t have to be formal to be impactful
Working in a small office gave me more hands-on exposure than I ever expected. I saw every part of a case, from intake to resolution, and learned how law actually operates day-to-day. You don’t need corporate titles or experience in a big firm to grow; sometimes, the best experience comes from seeing the unfiltered side of law – the part that teaches you what being a lawyer actually feels like.
Looking Back…
That summer was the first time I saw what real law looked like – not the version in lectures or TV shows, but the kind that happens quietly in offices and courtrooms every day. It wasn’t glamorous, and it wasn’t easy. But it was transformative.
I came away with a stronger sense of discipline, perspective, and purpose. It taught me what kind of lawyer I want to be: someone who can stay grounded under pressure, communicate clearly, and never forget that behind every case file is a person trying to move forward.
I also want to stress again, YOU DO NOT NEED A LEGAL INTERNSHIP IN YOUR UNDERGRAD. It looks good on a CV but when it comes to law school admissions, I think it’s better to have experiences that show your real interests and who you are as a person. As someone whose resume is filled with pre-law and law-related work, I regret not joining more clubs and taking on volunteer/work positions that really show who I am as a person and what I care about.
If you don’t have a “proper” legal internship lined up, don’t stress. Opportunities to learn can appear in unexpected forms. Sometimes it’s a lawyer who takes a chance on you, a volunteer role that turns into mentorship, or a small office that teaches you more in four months than a big firm might in a year. What matters most is curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to learn.