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Student Spotlights

Olivia Cronquist: Law

Olivia interned at Esplin Weight as a Law Clerk during spring/summer 2022 semester.

Describe a day in your life as an intern.

My internship was in criminal defense work, so I spent my days assisting the firm's attorneys with their clients. I attended court in Utah and Juab County, both in-person and online. This included preliminary hearings, drug court, and even a few trials. I also worked on various research and writing projects. Some of these were drafting motions to dismiss charges, researching possible defenses for clients, and writing other legal documents. I also had the chance to participate in some court proceedings by entering pleas for some of our public defender clients.

What industry/job specific skills did you learn?

I learned some best practices when writing legal documents, and some more efficient ways to conduct legal research. I also learned more about proper court etiquette, including how to address judges and advocate for clients.

What is one thing you learned from this internship experience that could be applied to other settings?

One of the most significant lessons was how to have empathy and advocate for clients, even when you don't agree with their actions. All of our clients were alleged criminals, so learning to empathize and communicate with them was very important. This skill will be extremely important in any legal setting, and is essential for succeeding in all professional settings.

What was your favorite part of your internship experience?

My favorite part was attending trials. They were not highly dramatic like they are on TV, and they didn't involve any explosive charges, but it was very interesting to see how a trial is conducted and the roles that all the parties play.

How did this internship experience affect your future goals?

This internship made me want to get more trial experience. It encouraged me to get some more practical experience with the law, beyond just what we learn in the classroom.

How did you find your internship?

I applied through the law school's internship database.

How did this internship experience contribute to your growth?

It really taught me more about the criminal justice system and how it affects people. I also learned more about compassion and empathy. Many of the people we worked with were not bad people, they just didn't have as much opportunity to become contributing members of society.