What is Law School OCI?

Law school OCI, or On-Campus Interview, is a critical recruitment process that takes place at law schools across the United States. During OCI, law firms, government agencies, corporations, and other legal employers visit law school campuses to conduct interviews with students, typically in their second year (2L), for summer associate positions or internships.

The OCI process usually begins in the late summer or early fall semester and may extend into the spring semester, depending on the school and the employers. Prior to the OCI, students submit their resumes, transcripts, and sometimes writing samples or cover letters to the employers they are interested in interviewing with. The employers then review these materials and select the students they would like to interview.

On-campus interviews typically last about 20 to 30 minutes and are designed for employers to assess a candidate's fit for their organization and for students to learn more about the potential employer. These interviews can be highly competitive, as many law firms and employers use the OCI process to fill the majority of their summer associate positions, which can sometimes lead to full-time job offers after graduation.

After the initial on-campus interviews, employers may invite students for call-back interviews at their offices. These interviews usually involve meeting with multiple attorneys from the firm or organization and may include events such as lunches, dinners, or receptions to provide candidates with an opportunity to learn more about the firm's culture and work environment.

It is important for law students to prepare for OCI, as it can be a critical step in securing a summer position and potentially a full-time job after graduation. This includes researching the employers, practicing interview skills, and developing a strong understanding of their own strengths and experiences to effectively communicate during the interviews.

How can law students find a job outside of OCI?

In addition to the On-Campus Interview (OCI) process, law students can explore various other methods to find summer internships. These alternative avenues include:

1. Networking: This one is the most vague and never really stops, unfortunatleyConnecting with alumni, professors, classmates, and professionals in the legal field can lead to potential internship opportunities. Attend law school events, local bar association functions, and conferences to expand your network and discover new opportunities.
2. Job fairs and career events: Law schools and other organizations often host job fairs and career events that allow students to connect with potential employers. These events provide an opportunity to learn about various organizations and submit your resume for consideration.
3. Online job boards and career services: Law schools typically have a career services office or online job board where students can access internship listings. Additionally, websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn can be helpful in finding legal internships.
4. Direct applications: Research firms, organizations, and government agencies that interest you and submit your application materials directly to them. Many employers accept direct applications for internships, even if they do not participate in OCI.
5. Public interest and government internships: Public interest organizations, such as legal aid societies, and government agencies, like the Department of Justice or state attorney general offices, offer internships for law students. Many law schools have public interest career advisors who can help students find internships in this sector.
6. Judicial internships: Judicial internships provide law students with an opportunity to work directly with judges and gain experience in the court system. Students can apply for internships with federal or state judges, either by reaching out directly or through their law school's career services office.
7. Clinical programs and externships: Many law schools offer clinical programs or externships, which allow students to gain practical legal experience while earning academic credit. These programs often involve working with real clients under the supervision of a professor or practicing attorney.
8. Fellowships and grants: Some law schools and external organizations offer fellowships or grants to support students pursuing unpaid summer internships, particularly in the public interest or government sectors. Consult with your law school's career services office to learn about available funding opportunities.
9. Professional associations: Joining professional associations related to your area of interest can provide access to job listings, networking events, and other resources that may help you find an internship.
10. Social media: Use social media platforms, like LinkedIn and Twitter, to follow law firms, organizations, and legal professionals. This can help you stay updated on industry news and potential internship opportunities.

To increase your chances of securing a summer internship, be proactive in your search, utilize various resources, and be open to diverse opportunities that can help you gain valuable legal experience. You can really use your 1L summer to explore opportunities. 1L jobs rarely lead directly to a post-school job offer. This gives students the opportunity to explore something they are passionate about without (directly) worrying about what it means for the future.

What kind of Internships are available for law students?

Law students have a wide range of internship opportunities available to them, depending on their interests and career goals. Some common types of internships for law students include:

1. Law Firm Internships: Internships at law firms, also known as summer associate positions, offer students the chance to work on diverse legal matters, such as litigation, corporate law, intellectual property, and more. These internships are often paid and can be found in large, mid-sized, or small law firms. These include big law where salaries can be more than $30,000 for the summer. Some law firm internships will be unpaid. I recommend avoiding them entirely. If you are working as a law intern, you are making that firm money, and you should be compensated.
2. Public Interest Internships: These internships are with non-profit organizations, legal aid societies, or advocacy groups focusing on various social issues, such as civil rights, immigration, environmental law, or criminal justice reform. These internships typically pay some money, but not as much as law firms.
3. Government Internships: Law students can intern with various federal, state, or local government agencies, such as the Department of Justice, attorney general's offices, district attorney's offices, public defender's offices, or regulatory agencies. Unfortunately, these often don't pay a salary.
4. Judicial Internships: Judicial internships provide an opportunity to work directly with judges at the federal, state, or local level. Students may assist with research, drafting opinions, or observing court proceedings.
5. Corporate Legal Internships: Students can intern with the in-house legal departments of corporations or companies, gaining experience in areas like contracts, intellectual property, compliance, and employment law.
6. Legislative Internships: These internships involve working with legislators, legislative committees, or advocacy groups on policy development, research, and drafting legislation.
7. International Law Internships: Some organizations and law firms specialize in international law, offering internships that focus on international human rights, trade, or dispute resolution.
8. Alternative Dispute Resolution Internships: Students can intern with mediation or arbitration organizations, learning about alternative methods of resolving disputes outside of the traditional court system.
9. Law School Clinics and Externships: Law schools often offer clinical programs or externships that provide students with hands-on experience in various legal practice areas, such as criminal defense, family law, or transactional law. These might not lead directly to an internship or full time job offer, but they offer a great opportunity to gain experience.
10. Think Tanks and Policy Organizations: Internships with think tanks or policy organizations allow students to engage in research, analysis, and advocacy on a range of legal and policy issues.

When searching for internships, law students should consider their interests, career goals, and the skills they want to develop. Internships can provide valuable experience, networking opportunities, and a chance to explore different areas of legal practice before deciding on a long-term career path.

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