After learning about the medical industry, I was interested in learning about the legal industry.  Thus, I began the job search for an entry level (helper) position at a law firm.

​

This was my first true "job search" experience.  I perfected my resume to the best of my ability and printed over 30 copies.  For a full week after classes, I drove to every law firm in Baton Rouge, LA to hand out my resume and express my interest in being of assistance.  Not a single one of the over 30 firms ever made contact with me.  I was somewhat amazed and, with zero feedback, still don't know what I did wrong to this day.  Thus, I turned to my social network instead of the resume handing out method.  With this "who-you-know" method, I was instantly able to land multiple interviews.  This was the first tangible evidence I had acquired to show how much more valuable personal connections are than the alternative.  

​

I landed a job as a runner and greeter at Henchy Verbois Hackenberg LLC, a civil trial practice, general business practice, and insurance defense firm.  Since I worked there part time and was only around for a short period of time, I didn't gain much from the experience.  However, it can be noted that I did learn about general legal terminology and law firm organization.

​

My second tenure was with Melancon Rimes, a firm focusing on injury, class action, product liability, and other suits.  Since I worked more hours and for a longer overall duration here, I generally learned a great deal more about the legal world.

​

The office itself was new, pristine and spacious.  The two partners (there are three now) were energetic, well organized, and supported solid families.  I was intrigued by their ability to communicate and work together on complex legal cases. 

 

I was tasked with organizing documents for their paper and electronic filing systems and to serve as a "runner" driving between law firms, government buildings, and court houses to hand deliver and pick up documents.  These tasks gave me exposure to legal procedure and vocabulary.

​

Part of the document organization task required me to briefly review the contents of the documents in order to properly handle them.  In many instances, my curiosity led me to read a bit more than necessary.  This furthered my education on the subject.  

​

"Running" between different firms and court buildings introduced me to the intricate world of government and regulation.  It's baffling to see how many hands these simple papers had to pass through in order to get to their final destination.

​

What I gained from working at law firms:

 

I learned the importance of gathering data, analyzing it, organizing it, and presenting it in a way that directs towards a specific goal or outcome.

​

​

​

Last updated 12.10.19 - PJ

​

​

​