It is typical for law students to refuse to intern at any law practise in their towns or states. Everyone's aim is to intern with top tiers in the country, continent, or globally to obtain relevant exposure and experience. Obtaining an internship opportunity in the top tiers is difficult and competitive due to their reputation. In terms of the country, a major proportion of the most sought-after law chambers are based in the country's economic and administrative capitals, Lagos and Abuja, respectively.
If you are given the opportunity, the expense of living at the firm's location is too expensive, especially for non-resident undergraduate interns. After navigating the difficult application process, being able to figure out housing and finances to some level is a significant obstacle. Another major concern is the host law firms' lack of organisation in their internship programmes. It is surprising - and, of course, extremely depressing - that some organisations still do not have a well-structured learning programme for their interns at this point in time. This will not only be a waste of interns' time, but also of the firms' energy and intellectual resources.
There is nothing wrong with a company being business-oriented, but doing so when interns are involved should not influence their personal choices. It is becoming typical for law firms to request that prospective interns attach bespoke hashtags to posts on LinkedIn or other social media platforms, or to tag them when posting short films created as part of the application criteria. This includes interns being required to utilise customised posters as their social media display photographs, or as part of an in-house contest among interns asking them to source for votes on social media. This type of behaviour demonstrates that such companies are simply interested in increasing traffic to their websites, increasing their online presence, and making their interns famous.
I was supposed to have a virtual interview with a firm but was denied since I was not wearing a tie, which they interpreted as "...not properly dressed for the interview." In contrast, a week later, I had another interview when my interviewer told me that I may loosen my tie and relax. Interns at law firms are occasionally subjected to such a rigid culture. Of course, basic professional ethics must be followed, but flexibility is also important.
It should be highlighted, however, that despite the aforementioned difficulties, interning for law students has numerous advantages.
I was supposed to have a virtual interview with a firm but was denied since I was not wearing a tie, which they interpreted as "...not properly dressed for the interview." In contrast, a week later, I had another interview when my interviewer told me that I may loosen my tie and relax. Interns at law firms are occasionally subjected to such a rigid culture. Of course, basic professional ethics must be followed, but flexibility is also important.
It should be highlighted, however, that despite the aforementioned difficulties, interning for law students has numerous advantages.
Classroom lessons throughout the undergraduate term are characterised by learning theories, demystifying legal ideas, and memorising cases and statutory sections with little or no practical experience. Students learn how those classroom lessons (from their professors and books) work in practise through internship. Students are also exposed to a variety of professional ethics and corporate cultures. Internships also provide opportunities for professional networking.
To increase the number of students who benefit from internship programmes, law firms and other organisations that provide comparable opportunities must pay attention to the obstacles in order to design better solutions.
Law Students' Societies from various law colleges should collaborate with firms to secure student places. Law companies should guarantee that consistent learning curricula for interns are prepared. By doing so, interning in a top-tier legal firm will not matter as much as valuable experience will be gained by interns.
Furthermore, the notion that interns are not entitled to remuneration is purely Nigerian. According to a Business Day report, unpaid internships for law undergraduates at private law firms are illegal in the United States under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
Addressing these concerns will result in additional internship opportunities and allow law students to compete with peers around the world on legal issues of global relevance.
