By Trust Osamiemwenyi Osato
It is very pivotal for me to define who an intern is.
An intern may be a graduate or an undergraduate who works in a specific professional field, just to acquire basic experience and knowledge.
Now, I would like to expantiate on the essential attributes of a good Law Student Intern, which are as follows:
1. PUNCTUALITY
For every successful individual, punctuality is key to their personal and self development. Bringing this into the life of a law intern, he or she must have the discipline to come to the office and court as early as possible before the principal and other seniors arrive, as it would give a very good impression of loyalty and dedication to duty. Punctuality is key for a law intern in so many ways e.g. punctuality to the office, punctuality to the court, punctuality in the delivery of clients’ documents etc. Important cases has been struck out by judges in court because of the late arrival of counsel to court. As they say, punctuality is the soul of business.
2. CONGENIALITY
This is a very important attribute of a law intern, a law intern must have the ability to fit into any given workplace and work in consonance with laid down rules and regulations. The intern must know how to relate with people and also have an accommodating spirit. A Law Student must exude warmth and amity.
3. GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW
A law intern must not or never be half baked.He or she must know and have knowledge of the laws of the land not just knowledge, but adequate knowledge of the laws and procedure.This would give the intern an edge and the intern may be considered for a full time job as an associate after his or her Call to Bar.
4. GOOD COMPUTER SKILLS
The world generally is turning into a global village and it is very important for the intern to be abreast with computer and internet skills. Law in this century is going digital not analogue anymore. The quicker the we metamorphose with information technology as an Intern the better for us.
5. A KNACK FOR RESEARCH
An intern must be a research machine. He or she must have the passion to go to the archives to dig for relevant documents and cases that would be helpful in the quest for legal knowledge and to win cases in Court.
6. A GOOD DRESS SENSE
You can not be a Law Student Intern and would be dressing like a gangster. You must have the ability to look decent and presentable at all times. The legal profession is a noble one and intending interns should have the innate tendency to dress corporately.
7. HUMILITY AND RESPECT
A Law Student Intern although might be some of the high stake personality around , must be humble and respectful at all times. The legal Profession and training is one structured with seniority at the bar, and as such humility and respect is very important for the Law Student Intern.
8. GOOD INTER-PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Knowing that the legal profession deals with the people day in day out,an intern should have the charismatic character of relating with people adequately. The intern must not be known to be one who picks up a fight at every provocation.
9. GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT
A law intern must never be a novice as to the environment in which he or resides or interns. The inquisitiveness of the Intern should drive him or she to know more about his present environment for numerous reasons.
10. RECEPTIVENESS TO IDEAS AND READINESS TO LEARN.
Learning for the intern should never end,and the readiness to learn should never be over emphasized. The intern must be receptive to new legal ideas and also put them into application as a matter of urgency.
These attributes are not exhaustive but are Cardinal in being a good Law Student Intern. As we enter into the new year ,let us imbibe the best attitude to excel in our Internship and Studentship as Law Students.
I wish you all the best.
