From the Bay Area to Rome, Students Make the Most of Summer

USF’s international externships helped some students develop an understanding of how to do business and pursue justice in today’s global society. The Office of Career Planning supported students finding jobs around the country that build legal skills. Through the domestic externship program, students earned academic credit for fieldwork at government agencies, corporate legal departments, law firms, nonprofit organizations, and state and federal courts. And the Keta Taylor Colby Southern Internship Program sent law students to work with capital defense attorneys in the South.

USF law students said their summers opened their eyes to new career opportunities and helped set them on a path to success.

Michael A. Llamas ’19
Intensive Advocacy Program at USF School of Law
San Francisco, California

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“The mock jury trial was the most memorable moment of my IAP experience. It was riveting to be able to direct examine plaintiff-side witnesses, cross examine defendant-friendly witnesses, introduce and publish evidence to the court, and deliver opening statements and closing arguments to a jury of community members whom would end up judging our final product and ultimately render a verdict. This experience will remain one of the hallmarks of my legal education.”

Genevieve Galman ’17
Certified Law Clerk, Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office
Martinez, California

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“This experience will help me in my career as a future prosecutor. As a certified law clerk, I get my own cases, which means I get to conduct preliminary hearings, do my own jury trial, conduct direct examinations and cross examinations, and I appear in court to argue motions and present opening statements and closing arguments during jury trials. I have also assisted police officers in a search warrant by searching through a home for evidence, and was able to visit San Quentin State Prison and speak with inmates”.

Matthew Lewis  ’17
Summer Law Clerk, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
San Francisco, California

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“I have learned to read and think more critically, and to identify nuances. Going into law school, I knew I wanted to start my legal career with the type of legal training that only a big law firm could provide. Pillsbury has been very generous in providing opportunities and interactions with partners across practice areas and clients. The experience I have gained has not only confirmed my decision to go into big law, but it has given me a running start to excel in that environment.” 

Paul Anton ’19
Summer Associate, Trevisan & Cuonzo
Milan, Italy

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“My job at the firm is to edit and revise cease and desist letters and advisory letters to clients to improve the English. This is invaluable experience, and I couldn't be happier. The first year of law school was tough and made legal work seem daunting, but this externship has shown me the real side of working in a firm, with smart, friendly lawyers who are eager to help me learn and grow.”

Joseph Barrientos ’19
Summer Intern, Akron IP
Rome, Italy

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“Being in Rome is amazing, but what I love the most is the work that I get to do with Akran IP. I have learned so much about IP this summer, and the skills we learned in our first year of law school made learning on the job exponentially easier. Learning about IP through this internship will open up a world of possibilities to work internationally. It is my hope that this experience, coupled with my education, will make me a more diverse and marketable candidate.” 

Chekwume Ufoegbune  ’19
Summer Associate, P/R/K Partners
Prague, Czech Republic

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“I worked with European law firm P/R/K Partners, at its Prague location through the USF Summer Externship program, and it was an unforgettable and really rewarding experience. The most interesting aspect of this program is how the firm supplied relevant research topics and work material to gauge my interest in a particular field. I learned a lot about international law which contains aspects of business, tax, and even intellectual property law. This summer has really set me on the right path for the future by revealing my interests in the legal field."