How to Create an Internship Program That Actually Works with Adam Rossen
Feb 18, 2025
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Adam Rossen, founder of Rossen Law Firm, shares valuable insights on crafting effective internship programs in the legal field. He highlights the evolution of such programs from informal to structured experiences that emphasize hands-on learning. Adam discusses the importance of teaching vital soft skills like client communication and trial presentation. He also addresses the contrast between the glamorized perception of criminal defense work and its demanding reality, advocating for a balance of planning and organic experiences to enhance interns' learning.
The Rossin Law Firm's internship program emphasizes immersive hands-on experiences over observational learning, fostering practical skills for future legal careers.
Selection criteria focus on passion for criminal defense and strong work ethic, attracting dedicated candidates who align with the firm's values.
Regular self-reflection and feedback enhance the internship program, ensuring its evolution and relevance to meet the needs of future interns.
Deep dives
The Importance of Evolving Internship Programs
Many law firms fail to leverage internship programs as a competitive advantage. The Rossin Law Firm has developed a robust internship program that has garnered national attention, showcasing the necessity of constant evolution in such initiatives. By embracing a mindset open to creativity and improvement, the firm has transformed its approach over the years, adapting to changes like the COVID-19 pandemic and refining its strategies. This evolution highlights that internship programs should be viewed as dynamic tools for growth rather than static processes.
Creating Structured Learning Experiences
The Rossin Law Firm's internship program is structured around immersive, hands-on experiences rather than a purely observational approach. Initially, interns would shadow attorneys without much structure but have since developed a formal curriculum that emphasizes real-world legal issues, critical thinking, and legal writing. By incorporating book clubs, guest speakers from criminal justice organizations, and case studies, interns gain a comprehensive understanding of criminal law. This structured learning helps interns develop practical skills, making them better prepared for their future careers.
Fostering Passion and Commitment
The selection criteria for interns at the Rossin Law Firm prioritize passion for criminal defense and a strong work ethic. This focus on intrinsic motivation helps ensure that candidates are genuinely interested in the firm's mission rather than merely seeking a resume builder. The firm encourages potential interns to express their unique stories and aspirations in their applications, emphasizing the importance of dedication. This approach not only attracts suitable candidates but fosters a more engaged and motivated group of interns who align with the firm’s values.
Building Lasting Professional Relationships
The internship program serves as a powerful pipeline for future employment opportunities within the firm. By creating a culture of mentorship, current attorneys are invested in the development and success of interns, with many former interns returning as full-time employees. The integration of networking events, guest speakers, and community involvement not only enriches the interns' experiences but also enhances the firm’s connections within the legal community. Such lasting relationships between interns and attorneys contribute to a supportive professional network essential for career growth.
The Power of Reflection and Continuous Improvement
Regular self-reflection and feedback are crucial in refining the internship program at the Rossin Law Firm. After each iteration, surveys and discussions are held to gather insights from past interns, further enhancing the experience for future cohorts. This commitment to learning from past experiences enables the firm to adapt, ensuring the program remains relevant and effective. By treating the internship program as a living entity in constant need of enhancement, the firm cultivates an environment of growth that benefits both interns and the firm itself.
Are you a law firm owner who is looking to create an internship program for your firm? In this episode of the Maximum Lawyer Podcast, Tyson chats with Adam Rossen, who shares insights on the successful internship program at Rossen Law Firm. Adam discusses the evolution of the program and highlights the value of informal yet immersive experiences for interns.
Internships within the legal space are important experiences that help prepare law students for life as a lawyer. Adam talks about the significance of good internship programs and why law firms who don’t have them need to create a viable program. Internship programs will look different across firms, but it is crucial to sit down and think about what aspects of being a lawyer should be taught to interns. Does your program involve tasks like research, client intake or trial support? Think about what soft skills need to be taught like effective client communication and projecting confidence when presenting a case at trial. As a law firm owner, it is important to provide interns with the skills they need to be successful and think about how your internship program can improve as the years go on.
Internships also provide students with the chance to differentiate perception versus reality as it relates to working in the legal space. Many who watch legal dramas, like Law and Order might be fooled into thinking law and law enforcement are the same as what is shown on TV. Adam emphasizes that the legal space is not glamorous at all times. There is a lot of hard work that can take months to complete as a case makes its way through the criminal process. There is also a lot of administrative work involved and interactions with different types of people that can make the work both exciting and stressful.
Listen in to learn more about how to create a successful internship program!
02:34 Starting the Internship Program
09:51 Program Structure and Requirements
15:02 Introduction to Internship Curriculum
22:29 Curriculum Components
34:25 Curriculum Structure for Interns
42:42 Confidentiality and NDA for Interns
Tune in to today’s episode and checkout the full show notes here.