This summer, I am interning at the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. Each intern is assigned to an Assistant District Attorney. I’ve been assigned to ADA Deluca. In total, ADA Deluca is mentoring four interns, including myself. Three of them are currently in law school. I am excited to start this internship, as it offers me the opportunity to gain firsthand insight into what being a lawyer truly is like. Additionally, I get to learn about legal procedure.
So far, I’ve attended various arraignments and have begun learning courtroom terminology, such as bench warrants, arraignments, and orders of protection. One of the first things I noticed is how different the courtroom is from what we typically see on TV. There are no big dramatic entrances, everything is conducted with a high level of respect, and the process moves much slower than I had expected. I was allowed to sit in the jury box, where I had a direct view of the judge, the prosecutor, and the defense attorney. This perspective has given a look on how each role plays a part in our justice system.
I hope to learn as much as possible from this internship. By shadowing ADA Deluca and observing her daily life as a practicing attorney, I will be able to see what being a lawyer is truly like. I also benefit greatly from interacting with my fellow interns who are already in law school. They offer me advice and I often ask them questions about their experiences. Since I plan to attend law school myself, I like picking their brains about what life looks like as a law student.
Ultimately, this internship will have a significant impact on my career path. It is reinforcing the idea of committing and going to law school, as well as giving me the practical knowledge of our justice system.
Liz Ortega
Psychology & Political Science, 2027
I love that you mentioned that court is very different from TV. I think many people find an interest in law because of the craziness of courtroom television. Meanwhile, it can be very slow like you said. Not every case is a murder case.
It sounds like an AMAZING opportunity to be able to interact with the 3 other interns in law school. Interacting with an ADA is just as valuable as interacting with those that reflect your near-future self. I hope they can offer you a lot of advice about what your future holds!
This sounds like such a valuable experience! It’s great that you’re getting real insight into the legal field and learning directly from both attorneys and law students. I’m interning at the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in the Fugitive Unit, so I’ve also been working with bench and arrest warrants it’s been eye-opening to see how things really work. Wishing you the best as you continue your internship!
That must feel so great to be learning all these new things while getting a real glimpse into the legal world and it’s such a valuable step ahead in the field. Being mentored by a practicing ADA and working alongside law students sounds like an amazing way to prepare for your own journey to law school. Best of luck!
I think it’s so cool how you are already learning so much, and how your previous perspectives on the court room are already changing. It’s amazing that you’re able to interact with your fellow interns and talk not only about internship experiences, but about their experiences as being law students! I’m glad that this internship has already provided a crucial impact, it’s respectable to see how passionate you are about the field you are interning in and I wish you best of luck with your future!
It sounds like you’re getting an amazing behind-the-scenes look at the legal world! I love how you’re noticing the real pace and respectfulness of the courtroom. Plus, having the chance to learn from ADA Deluca and connect with law school interns is such a valuable way to prepare for your own path. I am glad that this internship is helping you with your passion, best of luck with the rest of the internship!
This seems like a very immersive internship that allows you to see different parts of the legal process. It’s also cool that you are not only able to learn from ADA Deluca, but also your fellow interns who are already in law school. It seems like you have a good head on your soldiers and are very open to learning new things about the career path you want to pursue. This internship is a great opportunity for you to expand your horizons and make connections, and I wish you the best of luck!
It’s great to hear how much you’re gaining from your time at the District Attorney’s Office. Shadowing your ADA and seeing the courtroom in action sounds like an eye-opening experience, and it’s awesome that you’re learning from both attorneys and law students. This internship clearly gives you a strong sense of what a legal career really looks like, and it’s exciting to see how it’s helping shape your path to law school.