As a second-year law student with an insatiable desire to grow both personally and professionally, I approached this summer with one clear goal – to immerse myself in a hands-on legal environment that could offer more than textbooks and lectures ever could. That opportunity came in the form of a summer clerkship with Kelly & Kelly, P.C.. As an established, family-focused law firm known for its excellence and reputation in southeast Michigan, I could not have been more excited.
I first learned of the opportunity through one of my professors at Michigan State University’s College of Law, who spoke highly of the firm’s reputation in family law and mentioned they were seeking a summer law clerk. The decision to apply was an easy one. Securing meaningful summer employment as a law student is no small feat, especially in one’s desired field of practice. So when the chance to join a firm whose attorneys I one day hope to call colleagues, the decision was an easy one.
Stepping Into the Real World of Law
From the moment I stepped through the doors on my first day, I knew this wasn’t going to be just another internship. My role at Kelly & Kelly began immediately with courtroom shadowing, file preparation, and memo drafting. While there was the occasional intern rite of passage, which of course included replacing the office water jug, my daily responsibilities quickly extended far beyond administrative tasks.
A typical day might begin at the courthouse, observing an attorney in action and learning firsthand how legal theory is translated into persuasive advocacy. From there, we’d return to the office where I would help prepare the next motion in the case—drafting with care, precision, and a growing sense of confidence. My afternoons were often spent diving into legal research for an internal memo or assisting the firm’s administrative team in making sure each case was organized and trial-ready.
Bridging Law School and Legal Practice
My time at Kelly & Kelly has reinforced and expanded on the foundations built in law school. Concepts that once seemed abstract, such as the nuances of Michigan’s criminal statutes or the criteria for modifying child custody, have taken on new life in the context of real clients and live cases.
Just as important as the legal substance has been the development of essential professional skills. I’ve learned how to contribute meaningfully to a collaborative legal team, maintain organized and accurate case files, communicate clearly with clients, and distinguish between a basic motion and one that commands attention and respect. Each experience has helped me understand not just what lawyers do, but how they do it with purpose, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to their clients.
Looking Ahead
There’s still more summer ahead, and I’m excited for every new opportunity that comes with it. My experience has already had a profound impact on how I view the practice of law—and how I envision my place in it. I know the lessons I’ve learned here will continue to shape the kind of attorney I become long after the summer ends.
