Shaheen & Gordon Internship Day Seventeen

Tuesday; May 20, 2019

Hours - 9:30 AM-  2:30 PM

Today was jam packed with emotion. It was my final day at the law office, Shaheen & Gordon and my day started at the Boscawen house of corrections to meet with an inmate. Following the client meeting, we went back to the firm and I worked as Jim prepared the papers I needed him to sign as well as completing the mentor evaluation form. For lunch, we went to our most frequent location, the deli right down the street. I ate a chef salad wrap. At lunch I noticed the magic bars my mom had made were being demolished by the members of the office, everyone taking part in the indulgence. The end of the day was bittersweet, but I had also been invited to Steve Gordon’s house to meet with presidential candidate, Marianne Williamson, later that night and that was fun. I want to thank everyone at the office for making my time so memorable and enjoyable.

Shaheen & Gordon Internship Day Sixteen

Monday; May 20, 2019

Hours - 9:00 AM-  3:00 PM

My day today started back at Shaheen & Gordon for the last two days of my internship. I arrived a few minutes early and awaited Jim’s arrival. When Jim arrived, we left shortly after to go to the attorney general’s office for a meeting. I was allowed to sit on in on the meeting, a rare occurrence. Following the attorney general’s office, we went back to the office, worked for a while and then grabbed lunch. We ate quickly because we had sentencing in Manchester. This was my second sentencing I’ve been to, but it was more emotional because the man was young, and his parents were there to see him cuffed and sent away. The day was over after that, and tomorrow is my last day so I am happy I’ve almost completed senior project but sad my internship is finished!  

Time: 109 hours.

End of Third Week Reflection

Third Week Reflection

This week was very different compared to the past few weeks I’ve been shadowing Jim. During this week I was able to experience more of the many small criminal cases Jim takes on as a criminal defense lawyer, which is the area I would want to practice in as a lawyer if I ever become one. Shadowing Jim and meeting the different clients he works with demonstrates a much more personal approach to law, and in the end seeing people relieved with a dropped charge makes it rewarding. On Monday, we were already receiving calls and picking up smaller cases for future weeks. Jim informed me that day, this was his area of expertise. The week started slow with a few client meetings, but as the week progressed, it became more interesting. In particular during this past week, I went to federal court for a sentencing, district court multiple times for DUI and traffic related cases, and federal prison to meet with an inmate. The prison experience was especially life-changing because I had never been in one, let alone sit inside 10 feet away from other prisoners who have allegedly committed serious crimes. Aside from doing all of these things, some mornings are spent in the office meeting with clients or taking phone calls. I don’t talk or anything while Jim is on the phone but I love meeting and talking with people who come into the office, and occasionally I’ll help out with something during the meeting. Of course, me helping is something like writing down a phone number or someone’s name for Jim, but it keeps me attentive and I’m truly interested in everyone’s situation. In terms of meeting my goals for this project, I feel that I’m meeting them and learning everyday not only about law, but the personal side of being a lawyer. There’s a lot of paperwork and note taking that comes with being a lawyer, and I’ve seen that as well which helps me see all perspectives. I’m sad the internship is coming to an end, but I’m looking forward to my next two days.

Shaheen & Gordon Internship Day Fifteen

Friday; May 17, 2019

Hours - 8:00 AM-  11:00 AM

It was a short day today for me at Shaheen & Gordon. I arrived at the office and about 10 minutes later we had a client meeting. The meeting was different however because we were preparing this woman for a hearing at the attorney general’s office that would follow shortly after. Although she was nervous at first, Jim’s humor lightened the mood and she was able to answer practice questions more comfortably. After the meeting, I was informed I wouldn’t be allowed to sit in for the meeting at the AG’s office so I left. I was upset because the day before the prosecutor said I would be able to go, but he changed his mind. I’m looking forward to Monday and Tuesday, my last two days with the firm.

Time: 103 Hours.

Shaheen & Gordon Internship Day Fourteen

Thursday; May 16, 2019

Hours - 7:00 AM-  4:00 PM

Today was one of the most exciting days I’ve had this internship. The day began with court at Concord District Court with a ticket fine for speeding. This was followed by a coffee and bagel from Bagel Works. Next we went to Merrimack County Superior Court to hold a hearing for a man requesting to be taken off the sex offender registry. We defended him and won. After our second appearance at court, we travelled to Strafford County Corrections to meet with a federal inmate awaiting possible trial. We had a client meeting later in the day, after lunch. Tomorrow will be a shorter day because I’m not allowed to attend a meeting Jim is going to.

Time:100 Hours.

Shaheen & Gordon Internship Day Thirteen

Wednesday; May 15, 2019

Hours - 9:00 AM-  3:00 PM

The day began today with a client meeting. The man we met with in the meeting was charged with DWI and he violated his probation, now having the potential of a suspended sentence to be enacted. Jim is confident he can get the license revocation lowered for the man in terms of the DWI, and the other charge was a possession charge for a medication he had a prescription to, just not on him at the time of the arrest. Following the meeting we had another meeting that took place on the phone. We had lunch and I ate my favorite item from the deli we go to, the chicken caesar wrap. The events after lunch unfolded pretty slowly and not much else happened while we sat in the office. Tomorrow I am going to two courts and federal prison in Strafford County to meet with an inmate who is one of Jim’s clients.

Time: 91 hours

Shaheen & Gordon Internship Day Twelve

Tuesday; May 14, 2019

Hours - 8:00 AM-  3:00 PM

Today was an eventful day at Shaheen & Gordon. The morning began with a client meeting with man who was being sentenced in federal court today. The meeting only lasted about 30 minutes and we later reconvened with him at the federal courthouse where there was a short sentencing and he was brought away by US Marshalls. Following our time in court we went back to the office. Then, at 12:30 went to lunch at a sushi place and met with one of Jim’s friends. After lunch we went back to Jim’s office and continued scheduling future cases and attempted to get the ball rolling on another pending federal case. Tomorrow we have in person client meetings.

Time: 85 hours.

Shaheen & Gordon Internship Day Eleven

Monday; May 13, 2019

Hours - 8:00 AM-  4:00 PM

The dynamic at the firm, especially with Jim, is a lot different this week. Since the judge’s ruling on the case consumed the firm last week, Jim is more content and happy to be doing what he loves, small scale criminal defense instead of one big case. When I arrived at the firm this morning, we had a phone call with a client and then we went out to breakfast at a new place on Main Street. After breakfast we returned to the office and looked over the calendar as Jim scheduled future meetings with clients whilst simultaneously receiving phone calls and examining pending cases. Later we reconnected with the legal team regarding future possibilities about the resolved case from last week in case of appeal. Finally we got some hot dogs and made a final phone call with a client. Tomorrow I’ll be going to federal court for sentencing in a prostitution ring case.

Time: 78 hours.

End of Second Week Reflection

Second Week Reflection

My second week at Shaheen & Gordon was eventful and full of lessons in law, conduct, and life lessons. The week began with Jim and the team working hard on depositions in preparation for trial, and on Tuesday I spent the day with another attorney who I went to court with to defend a DWI case. It was a different experience than accompanying Jim to court, but it was equally interesting and I always enjoy meeting and talking with clients. On Wednesday I went to court again for another DWI defense case, but instead with Jim. After we won, it made me feel good to see the woman crying tears of joy, a relief the ordeal was over. That’s what I want to be able to do for people if I become an attorney. Thursday was court again with a man who had pounds of marijuana in his car and a gun, and Jim successfully defended him, leaving court with a plea deal that was fair but a better deal for the defendant ultimately, the man walked away without a felony. Friday was chaos in the office, the court granting a huge motion dropped the case and the press frenzied the firm demanding information, creating somewhat of chaos. At the end of the week, I realized how serious and professional I was being treated in the office, receiving documents that the lawyers read, talking with clients, and attending court almost everyday. Everyday, I am meeting my goals through research during the day, experiential learning, and talking with Jim and the other attorneys about life in general as a lawyer. This week, I specifically learned how important the confidentiality is between an attorney and a client. In addition to that, I also have a new understanding of how unique an attorney and a client act working together and where professional and personal relationships stand. This internship has truly set a spark where I know I want to pursue law in the future.

70 hours total so far.

Shaheen & Gordon Internship Day Ten

Friday; May 10, 2019

Hours - 9:00 AM- 4PM

Today was an interesting day at the firm. Due to the nature of the judge’s ruling in the big case the firm has been working on, the media was swarming the office with phone calls and emails. I was reminded of my confidentiality before the day unfolded, this is because of the importance of the case and the attorney-client privacy that is known and followed by every attorney. I sat through a few meetings discussing the press release and I made sure to read the news articles that were being published approximately every 30 minutes. As the day wore on the frenzy of attention slowly died down and by lunch, life was practically back to normal. We ate lunch and then had a few more phone calls and emails and then the rest of the afternoon was slow. I look forward to next week seeing how different the office dynamic will be now that a single case won’t be the focus of a group of attorneys.

Shaheen & Gordon Internship Day Nine

Thursday; May 9, 2019

Hours - 7:00 AM-3:00 PM

Today began at Hillsborough Superior Court in Manchester. Jim was representing a man who possessed 5 pounds of marijuana and a gun in his car after it was searched by police following a traffic accident. Jim didn’t want this man to get a felony, so he arranged a deal with the prosecutor and judge that made everyone content in the end. Before this internship I had no idea how plea deals even worked, and I find it so fascinating how the law can be molded for different situations. When we got back to the office, Jim had a few client phone calls and then we went to lunch. After lunch I sat around for about an hour and left when Jim informed me he was continuing prep for tomorrow's depositions. However, later that day I received word from Jim that the judge had granted the motion the defense filed and the trial the team had been prepping for was cancelled. This was huge news because of the insane amount of work that was being poured into the case. I am relieved for Jim and the team because now they’ll be able to enjoy their summer a bit more. This also means I won’t have to travel to Boston for depositions tomorrow.

Shaheen & Gordon Internship Day Eight

Wednesday; May 8, 2019

Hours - 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Today was an interesting day. Jim filled me in on what happened yesterday at depositions while we went to the department of safety building. We were scheduled for a hearing involving a DWI specifically regarding the possible instillation of a breathalyzer device in this person’s car. The woman was young, 26, working two jobs whilst simultaneously going to college with plans to move to Texas and continue going to school. The state worker responsible for the hearing ruled it wouldn’t be necessary to install the breathalyzer after her and Jim pleaded. After that we were in the office for a while and then we went to lunch. Tomorrow shouldn’t be too interesting, but on Friday I’m going to Boston for more depositions in preparation for trial.

Shaheen & Gordon Internship Day Seven

Tuesday; May 7, 2019

Hours - 6:00 AM-2:00 PM

Yesterday, I made plans to go to court in Nashua with Attorney Amy Spencer because Jim was absent in Washington for depositions. I met Amy at Nashua District Court and we chatted with our client, filling out forms. He was signing forms waiving some rights in exchange for a plea deal. The client was a man in his early 40s who had his second DWI but it was reduced to a first time offense with the penalty of a fine, rehabilitation, and breathalyzer device in his car to be installed after his license suspension is finished. While in court, a distraught man yelled at one of the security guards and I thought he was going to hit him. Sometimes court can be quiet, other times there are definitely moments where you are reminded there are many potential criminals. After court, I went back to the firm and I hung out in Amy’s office while she chatted with clients on the phone and I listened in. While at the firm I also ate an amazing piece of cake that was in the lunchroom.

Shaheen & Gordon Internship Day Six

Monday; May 6, 2019

Hours - 9:00 AM-3:00 PM

Jim spent the entire weekend in preparation for depositions in Tuesday in DC. As I walked into the office today, he looked tired still awaiting the probate judge decision on the motion requested last Monday. The morning was spent finishing up the analysis Jim created over the weekend and attempting to catch up with clients he’s been forced to not take in anticipation of the possibility of trial. We walked down the street to the cafe and I grabbed a chicken caesar wrap and we ate in the lunchroom chatting with other employees of the firm. The afternoon was spent finalizing details for the deposition tomorrow. I won’t be accompanying Jim to DC, but I will be spending the day going to court with other lawyers from the firm.

End of First Week Reflection

First Week Reflection

For my senior project, I am interning with Jim Rosenberg at Shaheen and Gordon in Concord. As a shadow to him, I arrive at work when he does and leave when he leaves. Since I follow him all day, I withhold many information about what happens in my blogs because of the strict confidentiality a lawyer and a client share. As we go about our day I meet many people working in government, newspaper, and law firms while simultaneously learning about law.  

Only five days into the internship, I am loving every second of it. Every aspect, from the way the lawyers interact with one another, interactions with clients, and courtroom experiences all contribute to my newfound respect and interest in law. After meeting Jim in the court on the first day I was hooked. The way he had presented his argument to the judge was articulate and energetic and interesting to watch. This was exciting to watch from the back of the court, even if it was 2 hours long.

I have learned a lot this week but most concretely known is the way a courtroom functions as well as an attorneys schedule. Before this internship, I had never been in a courtroom or even been in a law firm. I never knew how much preparation went into opening arguments, closing arguments, exhibits, etc. While many times lawyers team up for a particular case and assist each other, there is still sometimes hundreds of pages of documents that will be used if a case is going to trial. Many would find the paperwork boring, but I love reading through expert testimonies and exhibits because it makes me feel more involved in the case.

At the end of the week, I really feel that I have found a potential career. The most interesting aspect of law that I’ve observed is how black and white the law is, but how every situation and individual in a case is so unique, and a judge may make a decision that another judge wouldn’t. Continuing into the second week, I feel prepared and excited to see what the week will bring.

Shaheen & Gordon Internship Day Five

Friday; May 3, 2019

Hours - 9:00 AM-3:00 PM

Today was another day at the office at Shaheen and Gordon. As I continued looking over expert testimonies regarding a big case the firm is working on, Jim made a few phone calls with his clients and continued preparing for depositions in DC on Tuesday next week. The day was pretty relaxing and I talked with Jim and the other attorneys about the depositions in Portland the day prior. For lunch we went to a deli down the road and I ate a triple decker turkey sandwich. After lunch Jim made a few more phone calls and I then I left. Everyone at the firm is very kind and welcoming to me and I’m loving everyday so far. I look forward to what next week will bring.

Shaheen & Gordon Internship Day Four

Wednesday; May 2, 2019

Hours - 8:00 AM-7:00 PM

It was a long day of travel and depositions today. The morning began early, as I had to travel to Portland, Maine. The reason for this long travel is because of a deposition meeting with two experts on the case the firm is preparing for, in the event that it goes to trial, should the judge not allow for the motion requested from the defense. I lucked out when I arrived in Portland because I found a parking lot that had free parking Monday through Friday, 9-5. I met Jim at Preti Flerity (lawfirm) and was escorted into a meeting room where the depositions took place. After over 2 hours of questioning from Jim to the prosecution’s expert, the first meeting was finished and we had a quick lunch break at the bottom floor where a small food court was. Following lunch the second expert was a man hired by the defense who was questioned by the prosecution. Overall it was a long day of driving but I continue to learn a lot and love meeting new people everywhere we go.

Shaheen & Gordon Internship Day Three

Wednesday; May 1, 2019

Hours - 8:00-11:00

Today began just as it did on Monday. I know we would have court in the morning and I put on my suit and had coffee as I prepared to drive to Concord to the Merrimack County Court. I stopped and got gas and then arrived at the court. Prior to the hearing, I was allowed to meet with the family of the defendant and listen in on the meeting. The previous day, this defendants attorney and the prosecutor arranged a plea deal and the original charge (felony possession of a drug with intent to distribute) was lowered to a misdemeanor possession with conditions agreed on by the attorney, prosecutor, and defendant. After court, Jim and I grabbed bagels and chatted with a friend of his. At about 11:00, he said he would let me go because he was reading documents in preparation for a deposition tomorrow in Portland, Maine that I will be accompanying him to. I spent the remainder of the day reviewing news articles and videos related to the case Jim has been preparing for, in case it goes to trial. Photo credits to Concord Monitor.