Make the Most of Your Summer: Tips for Appellate Interns, Clerks, and Summer Associates
Summer internships are more than just résumé builders; they’re stepping stones into the profession. Whether you’re interning with a judge, supporting appellate litigation at a nonprofit, or working at a law firm with an appellate practice, this is your moment to observe the law in action, sharpen your legal skills, and build lasting relationships.
At The Appellate Project (TAP), we know that many students (especially those who are first-generation or underrepresented in the legal field) may not have family or social networks to demystify what success looks like in these roles. So we’ve gathered a few tried-and-true tips to help you make the most of your summer work experience.
1. Understand the Assignment—and the Bigger Picture
Before diving into a research memo or draft opinion, take a step back: Who are the parties? What’s at stake? Why is this issue before the court? Understanding the broader legal and real-world context will not only make your work stronger—it will also make it more meaningful.
Pro tip: If you’re clerking with a judge, read previous opinions they’ve authored. If you’re working at a nonprofit or firm, learn their appellate docket priorities and values.
2. Ask Thoughtful Questions
No one expects you to know everything. What sets a great intern apart is the ability to ask thoughtful, well-researched questions. Try to gather as much information as you can before going to your supervisor and then share your line of thought when you ask for help—sharing your reasoning can help guide you and your supervisor to the answer.
Pro tip: Keep a running list of questions, observations, or things you want to follow up on at the end of each week. It’ll sharpen your thinking and help guide check-ins.
3. Seek Out Feedback
Many supervisors won’t offer detailed feedback unless you ask. Don’t be afraid to request a short conversation to learn how you’re doing and where you can grow.
Pro tip: Show that you take feedback seriously by applying it in your next assignment.
4. Build Relationships (Not Just a Network)
Relationships are everything in appellate law. Be intentional about connecting with attorneys, clerks, or staff who seem aligned with your values or interests. Ask them about their career path, and make an effort to stay in touch after your summer ends.
Pro tip: If you’re part of our TAP Mentorship Program, share what you’re working on with your mentor. They can help you process the experience and talk through challenges or opportunities.
5. Hone Your Legal Writing
In appellate law, your words are your advocacy. You’re not calling witnesses or cross-examining—you're persuading on paper. Strong legal writing can clarify complex arguments, build trust with the court, and ultimately shape precedent.
This summer, treat every memo, draft, or email as a chance to sharpen that skill. Focus on clarity, structure, and tone. The best legal writers revise relentlessly and welcome feedback with humility.
Red Pen Ready: One TAP Alum’s Secret to Stronger Legal Writing
“The best advice I've ever received: Focus on editing and ask for feedback.
The editing process varies for everyone, but here's what I love to do. When I first receive an assignment, I set an earlier deadline for myself so that I budget time for editing. After I write, I take a break and return to my work with fresh eyes. Then, I print out my writing and pore over it with a pen in hand. I cut adverbs, eliminate passive voice by sifting for conjugations of the verb "to be" (e.g., "is," "are," "was," "were"), and shorten my sentences.
And after I've submitted my work, I ask for feedback. I've found that being enthusiastic and open to feedback encourages my reviewers to give me their honest thoughts, which in turn allows me to continue to sharpen my skills.”
Paneez Oliai is a rising third-year student at Harvard Law School, where she is a finalist and oralist for the Ames Moot Court Competition, an Executive Managing Editor for the Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review, and the President of the Women's Law Association. She is currently a Summer Associate at Covington & Burling LLP in their D.C. office, and will spend the second half of her summer as a legal intern for the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund. After law school, she is excited and grateful to clerk for Judge Daniel P. Collins on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
6. Reflect on What Resonates
Did you love writing a bench memo? Did oral argument prep give you chills—in a good way? Summer is a time to learn what excites you (and what doesn’t).
Pro tip: Keep a journal or voice memo to capture the experiences that spark something in you. It’ll come in handy when you’re crafting personal statements, cover letters, or interviews down the road.
7. Remember: You Belong Here
Whether you're working in a marble courthouse or a virtual nonprofit office, imposter syndrome can creep in—especially if you’re the only one who looks like you or comes from your background. Remember: You earned this. Your lived experience gives you a lens that’s urgently needed in appellate spaces.
We’re cheering you on this summer.
If you're a TAP alum and want to share a reflection from your summer experience, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us at mentorship@taplaw.org.