Brooklyn DA Interns, a 'Bumper Crop,' Compete for Work and Chairs
The tough job market has apparently pushed more law students into unpaid internships at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, where they compete for office chairs, good assignments and permanent job offers.
Public employment has become more attractive as law firms cut the number of summer associates hired, the New York Times reports. The “bumper crop of interns” in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office has created some logistical problems, according to the story.
“It’s much harder for them to find stuff for us to do,” one intern told the newspaper. Some interns fill their days doing crossword puzzles or playing computer games, while others go to court to observe the proceedings. Intern Susan Cho, a Villanova law student, pointed out another problem. “There’s sometimes trouble finding a seat,” she said.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office ended up with 195 interns this year, 45 more than it was seeking, and a possible record, the story says. The District Attorney in Queens also has more interns—83 of them, 23 more than last year.
While more students landed internships, fewer will see permanent job offers. Carol Moran, director of legal hiring for the Brooklyn District Attorney, said the office is hiring about 7 percent to 8 percent of applicants, down from 10 percent to 12 percent in past years.
Would-be prosecutors aren’t the only law grads facing a bad job market. According to the National Association for Legal Career Professionals, 90 percent of 2008 graduates were employed as of February, the first drop since 2003.
