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From the US to the UK- My Experience with Wainwright & Cummins

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From the US to the UK – My Experience with Wainwright & Cummins LLP

I am an American college student who had the opportunity to study and work in London in the spring of 2016. Given my interest in criminal law and my desire to attend law school post-grad, I chose to do my work experience within the criminal defense office of Wainwright & Cummins.

My experience with this firm was more challenging, rewarding, and exciting than I ever could have imagined. All of the people that I had the chance to speak with, shadow, and complete work for were extremely trusting of my abilities, willing to speak to me about their experiences with law, and eager to get to know me on a personal level.

Much of the work that I completed was research based. Whether it was examining Facebook’s policy on gaining access to account information or uncovering details of laws surrounding dangerous dog cases, I found this research to be some of the most educational work that I did for the firm. Not only did a learn the specifics of a wide range of topics in criminal law, but I felt that the research I was doing was helping both the barrister that I was doing it for as well as the client in question.

I also spent a good portion of my time drafting letters to courts and clients, completing case summaries, and sifting through client interviews. Once again, I felt that my work was helping the firm with its day-to-day responsibilities and taking some of the more tedious work off of the shoulders of the paralegals, solicitors, and barristers, and I also found it captivating to read through the details of cases and formulate my own routes of defense for the clients while I read.

My favorite aspect of this internship was the fact that I was able to attend hearings at various courts throughout London. I was able to take notes during conversations with clients, see the workings of the court system, and learn strategies for effective criminal defense advocacy. Perhaps the most interesting court experience that I had was shadowing a barrister as she took a case to trial. I was able to see the pre-trial hearings, the jury selection, multiple testimonies, the cross examination, the deliverance of a verdict, and the sentencing over the course of almost a week. I found myself fully invested in the case, forming a bond with the client, and eager to attend the next day. The opportunity to see a trial start to finish was the aspect of this internship that taught me the most about the English legal system, allowed me to compare and contrast it with the legal system in America, and made me most excited to start my law school journey.

Wainwright & Cummins provided me with an internship that was rewarding, fun, and educational. It solidified my aspirations for after university and taught me skills that I will be able to use throughout my time studying law and in my future career. I woke up every day excited to go into work and learn more from the wonderful people at the office. I cannot thank them enough for their help in teaching me, guiding me, and giving me invaluable advice for my future.