Law Clerk and Law Student

Christy Weflen
Major(s): Speech-Communication
Current Job Title: Part Time Law Clerk, Full-Time Law Student

Brief description of your job:
As a law clerk, I have the privilege of working on a variety of cases, and I perform the work of an associate attorney. I conduct legal research, write memos for our attorneys on legal questions, draft motions and briefs for the court, participate in discovery by reviewing documents, attend trials, update laws by analyzing statutes, and generally help out where I am needed. My work is exciting at times, always challenging, and definitely a huge learning experience.

As a law student, I spend the majority of my time studying. I read a lot of cases and statutes, participate in class, take a LOT of notes, and prepare for every single class. I rarely have free time.

On tying the two together: You cannot work as a law clerk unless you are a law student. Law students are expected to hold clerk positions at some point, but they are not easy to obtain - there is a lot of competition. As a general rule, the earlier you obtain a position, the more hours you put in, and the longer you are employed, the better for your future.

Other job titles you have held:
Legal Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Retail Store Manager
Retail Store Assistant Manager
Accounting Assistant

What advice do you have for current students?
Build your resume. Career services will help you tremendously in making it look good, but you need to give them some material to work with. If you are interested in becoming a lawyer, try to find some way to get involved as an intern, a file clerk, a receptionist, or even a volunteer. Your future admissions offices and employers will be very impressed that you managed to obtain legal employment before beginning law school.

Don't get discouraged. Law school is a very trying experience from beginning to end. Competition, stress, and rejection are inevitable, but everyone goes through it together. Lean on your friends, your professors, and your career services offices for support - they're there to help you. Never give up - perseverance is key.

Be ready to work - a LOT. I'm not kidding. Procrastination just doesn't fly in law school. Time management is extremely important, especially if you want to have any free time beyond studying and working.

Remember why you're going through all of this. Make sure you have a reason to go through all of this before you start. It's REALLY HARD, but it's all worth it if it gets you to your goal.