I have successfully completed my internship with the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, and I am incredibly grateful for the experience and the memories I made there. I had the opportunity to meet and connect with amazing attorneys and interns who all share my passion for the law. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals was truly inspiring and has only strengthened my desire to become a lawyer.
This internship was extremely rewarding, as it allowed me to fully immerse myself in the daily responsibilities of a lawyer. I quickly learned that being a lawyer isn’t just about being present in the courtroom. There is a long and detailed process that takes place before a case even goes to trial. As prosecutors, we hold the burden of proof and must demonstrate, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant is guilty. There are many rules, deadlines, and procedures that must be followed to meet this standard. I also came to understand how much research and paperwork is involved behind the scenes. Attorneys must be overprepared than underprepared, because you never know what a judge might ask for. I also came to understand how essential time management and organization are to being an effective attorney. Many Assistant District Attorneys juggle multiple cases at once, so they must stay within strict time limits and keep track of every case detail. Paying close attention to even the smallest elements is crucial to building a strong case.
One of the biggest challenges of the job was the emotional toll it can take. I worked closely with an attorney who specialized in special victims’ cases, which meant I often had to review very graphic and emotional material. It is essential to separate your emotions from your responsibilities. As difficult as it may be, objectivity is a key element of being an attorney. Overall, I am very grateful for the opportunity to intern at the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. I learned so much during my time there and feel proud of everything I was able to accomplish. This experience helped me better understand the legal field and confirmed my passion for becoming a lawyer.
Liz Ortega
Psychology & Political Science, 2027
It’s so inspiring to see you go through the hardships for this internship and still be passionate about being a lawyer! It’s a very difficult job, in workload, emotions, and intelligence, but it sounds like you can do it!! Good luck in life and I’m excited to see your poster!
It sounds like you had an incredible internship experience! I really admire how you were able to balance learning the technical side of law with handling the emotional challenges that come with it. It’s inspiring to see how much this opportunity strengthened your passion and understanding of the legal field. Excited to see where your journey toward becoming a lawyer takes you next!
Liz, it sounds like you’ve really connected with the career path you have chosen! Becoming a lawyer is not an easy task, but it sounds like an enriching career to have, as you are impacting lives every day. I wish nothing but the best for you in your future!
I’m glad this experience solidified your desire to become a lawyer. You gained an understanding of how much research is part of this field, and you saw how emotionally difficult some cases may be. Sounds like you had a great experience!
I completely understand the difficulties and emotional toll that comes with working on certain cases, and I hope you were able to find a healthy balance! The internship sounds like it was an amazing opportunity, and I’m glad you not only gained more knowledge and developed personal skills, but that your passion for this career strengthened. Can’t wait to see where you go next!
It seems like you worked very hard at this internship and that you put in a lot of time and effort. I’m sure they appreciated your dedication, especially to the special victims cases. From what I understand it can be very difficult working on those cases, but it seems that you handled them with care and professionalism. Good job and good luck applying to law school!
Liz, I love how you shared the behind the scenes aspects of being a lawyer. It really shows how much preparation, attention to detail, and organization go into the work. It’s inspiring to see how this experience strengthened your passion for the law and gave you a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed in the this field. Wishing you the best of luck in your future endeavors!