Internship Interview: Megan Cistulli -Superior Court of San Francisco
Internships are one of the most valuable career experiences, especially for college students. They are a great learning opportunity, helping you develop relevant skills and understand how the knowledge you gained in the classroom is applied in the real world. They also benefit you in the job search process, allowing you to show potential recruiters that you have practical experience in the field.
One of the best ways to learn about internships is by talking to people who’ve had them. However, not everyone has access to this resource which is why we are starting this internship interview series. Our goal is to provide insight into the application process as well as the roles and responsibilities for internships in various sectors. This is the first article in the series.
Megan Cistulli is currently a junior at UC Berkeley studying political science, with a focus and interest in international relations and public law. In this interview, she shares her experience as an extern at the Superior Court of San Francisco and any advice she has for prospective applicants.
Could you provide a brief overview of your internship?
I was a judicial extern for the Honorable Judge Gail Dekreon of the Superior Court of San Francisco. Specifically, I worked at the Hall of Justice (criminal court). I was there in Spring 2020 and will be back in Summer 2021.
What were your roles and responsibilities at the internship? Was it more learning/training-oriented or application-oriented?
My duties included:
- Compiling jury instructions
- Assisting judge in legal research using Westlaw
- Attending and analyzing criminal trials, pre-trial hearings, and settlement meetings
- Learning and using penal codes
- Drafting memos
- Organizing attorney fee information
My work experience was completely hands-on and application-oriented. Judge Dekreon has high expectations for the work we turn into her. Rightfully so, as she is an extremely busy woman with limited time to meticulously check our work over and over.
What did a typical day at your internship look like?
I woke up around 6 am and took the train (Bart if I am in Berkeley or Muni if I am in San Francisco) to the Civic Center. I then walk about a mile to the Hall of Justice. I must arrive before the Judge, so I am typically there around 7:30 a.m. after I get through court security and scan my badge. I then grab the penal codebooks and ask the main clerk what the calendar looks like for the day. Court proceedings start at 9 a.m. on the dot.
I then accompany the judge to hear motions in limine, motions to suppress, voir dire, settlement meetings, etc. (the calendar varies day to day). Then, at 12 p.m., it’s lunchtime (lunch is sacred for people working in the court). We then eat lunch, but I work through lunch typing up a memo or doing research. Court resumes at 1 p.m., and like before, the events will vary. Criminal court always keeps you on your toes, and I even was present for a murder trial, so it is a wonderful learning experience.
What are some academic and extracurricular accomplishments or activities that you think helped you land the internship? For example, were there any clubs or organizations that helped?
I participate in moot court (American Moot Court Association) which is undergraduate mock appellate advocacy. Currently, I am ranked top 10 in the Nation for Persuasive Brief Writing. Also, other awards include:
- Top 1 Orator Western Regional: November 2020
- Top 1 Orator San Francisco State University Invitational: October 2020
- Top 5 Orator California State University, Fullerton Invitational: October 2020
- Top 10 Orator Award at Atchafalaya Swamp Classic Moot Court Competition in Lafayette, LA: October 2019
- Top 15 Orator Award at West Coast National Qualifier Regional in Fresno, CA: November 2019
I used my brief writing and oral advocacy skills I got from moot court to obtain the internship and succeed. I also took a judicial process class to understand court proceedings and the judicial system.
What technical and non-technical skills do you think someone interested in applying for this role or a similar one should focus on developing (by technical skills, I mean skills that are specific to the legal field)?
Some useful skills that are specific to law include the ability to decipher legal jargon, writing a legal analysis, understanding legal proceedings, and writing legal briefs.
Some useful non-technical skills are public speaking skills, strong writing skills, research skills, and a strong work ethic.
What are your main takeaways from this internship? For example, did you develop new skills or strengthen existing ones? Did it help you decide whether or not the career path is for you?
Working as an extern solidified my passion for the law and dreams of going to law school. I also had the honor of working with a phenomenal judge who taught me how to write memos and truly helped me understand legal proceedings, specifically criminal proceedings.
What advice do you have for someone applying to this internship or a similar one? Do you know any resources that would be useful to prospective applicants (e.g. websites where you can find and apply to internships)?
Legal internships are tough to find, especially for undergraduate students. So, the best thing to do is personally reach out to law firms, lawyers, judges, etc. to ask if they even take undergraduate interns or externs. Also, connect with people on LinkedIn to find possible internships.
Remember to start small and build your resume, so perhaps you could work on a campaign team and join a moot court or mock trial organization at your school (moot court, in my opinion, is more rigorous and more rewarding in terms of learning real legal skills). Then, use those experiences and build your resume to obtain a higher-level intern or extern position.
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Check out Megan’s LinkedIn to learn more about her experience and reach out to her.
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