One fall day, a Student Prince decided to go on a little adventure. “It won’t be long before I have a career,” the Prince said, “so I’d better start preparing now.” So with some ’Berg education under their hat, and some connections in their back pocket, the Student Prince began forging their way through an internship.
We continue our web series, Internship Chronicles.
Chapter 46: A step toward the legal profession
Sarah D’Egidio is a senior from Vermilion, Ohio. She is a double major in Political Science and Criminology with minors in Legal Studies and Environmental Science. Her professional goal is to work in a public defender’s office. Sarah is working to develop her skills and expertise in her chosen field and aspires to take on leadership and mentoring roles and contribute to innovative solutions that drive organizational success. Ultimately, she aims to make a meaningful impact in her chosen industry while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
How did you find your internship, or how did the internship find you?
This summer, Sarah interned at the Bonnezi, Switzer, Polito and Perry Law Firm in Sheffield, Ohio. Her father went to college with Don Richardson who was her supervisor during the internship. He reached out to Don and asked if he would be willing to take on an intern.
What did you expect from your internship initially?
I expected to be doing a lot of busy work such as just usual legal paperwork.
What really happens in your day-to-day work?
I worked a lot on legal paperwork that was meant to be used during court dates for specific cases. I completed assignments such as Deposition Line Summaries, Discovery Response Summaries, Supreme Court Case Research, and Appellate Panel Research. I was also able to attend an in-person deposition out in Cleveland. I was given multiple case-based research projects and had to attach a summary of the case and a discussion on how it affects current legal principles revolving around a current case for the firm.
What connections have you made?
I made many connections within the office. I worked with multiple different lawyers and types of attorneys in the Sheffield, Cleveland, and Cincinnati offices. I am still in contact with a few of the lawyers today, going over work that I have previously completed and may need to complete later.
What is the most valuable thing you’ll bring back to the classroom after this experience?
I gained a lot of knowledge about researching and time management. I also gained more information about the background of the legal system and what goes on outside of the courtroom. This will help me to understand the topics discussed in my classes during the semester.
If your internship was a book or a chapter in a book, what should it be titled?
Navigating New Horizons: Lessons in Growth and Resilience