Internship in a large law firm: insights into the everyday life of a lawyer!

Internship in a large law firm: insights into the everyday life of a lawyer!

On May 13, 2025, an intern at GÖRG describes his experiences during a six-week internship at the large law firm. He decided on this internship to get to know everyday working life in a renowned law firm better. The first contact with GÖRG took place during the “This is how a lawyer works” day in the preparatory course in the Hamburg office. Here he was able to convince himself of the young, team-oriented working atmosphere.

Over the course of the program, the interns worked in two different teams, which allowed them to explore numerous areas of law and different ways of working. They were actively involved in the client work and were given specific tasks that offered insights into practical legal work. Lawyers explained the bigger picture of legal cases to the interns, which broadened their perspective on everyday professional life. However, the intern found participating in the summer program to be unusual and, in return, wanted more time for mandate-related work.

Experiences and advice

The intern gives clear advice to new students: It is important to complete various internships in order to gain insights into the diverse areas of activity involved in studying law. He also emphasizes the need to keep an open mind and not decide on a specific career too early. This echoes the experiences of other law students who also completed internships at large law firms to explore a wide range of professional opportunities.

Large law firms offer attractive prospects to law students. Another experience report comes from an intern at Jones Day in Düsseldorf, who gained valuable insights during a six-week internship there. He applied in the first semester for an internship after the second semester without exam results being required for the application. Contact with the law firm was promoted through ELSA events and career fairs, which made it easier for many students to get started.

The online interview with the HR partner included typical questions about his motivation and specific interest in Jones Day. The intern enjoyed the working hours themselves, which began between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. and occasionally lasted until 8 p.m. The working atmosphere was deliberately looser and more relaxed, but still very instructive.

Insights and areas of responsibility

The interns were active in various areas, from research to active participation in pro bono projects, such as advising Ukrainian refugees. The interns were supported by Ukrainian employees in order to overcome language barriers. Other tasks included support in specialist areas of corporate law, such as commercial register registrations or accompaniment to notary appointments.

The internship salary varied between 300 and 1000 euros per month and offered the interns not only financial support, but also the opportunity to get to know the working environment and the firm's processes better. Social events strengthen contact between employees and interns, which contributes to a pleasant and open working atmosphere. Although internships at large law firms can be challenging, they provide valuable experience and open doors to future professional opportunities.

Overall, the reports from both GÖRG and Jones Day illustrate how useful internships in large law firms are in order to find your own professional orientation and to prepare specifically for your future career entry. law-school.de and iqb.de provide further valuable information on this topic. The interns' stories make it clear how important practical experiences are during law school and how they promote legal skills.

Additionally shows jurios.de the dynamic and often challenging everyday work in large law firms, which offers young lawyers an exciting platform for their professional development.