Approximately ten years ago, Schwartz & Perry, LLP, an AV rated employment law firm with preeminence, initiated a summer law intern program at the request of a New York law school. At that time, the field of employment law was expanding significantly and there was an interest in having available educational programs to address the growing need.

Although the program for the first several years involved only one law school, it now involves students from eight of the New York City law schools. As the number of schools increased, so did the number of interns. Initially three students were in the program; now the program has grown to over twenty interns. The program runs in two sessions of six-weeks each and consists of very active and hands on involvement in a successful employment law practice.

The interns are afforded the opportunity under the supervision and with the guidance of the partners and associates to meet with clients, participate in the initial interview process, draft complaints, respond to interrogatories, production demands and engage in other discovery requests. They also participate in drafting responses to motions, perform legal research, participate in drafting legal memoranda and join in working on appellate proceedings. Additionally they join in any mediations or depositions that occur in matters which are assigned to them. With respect to depositions, the interns secure and make notations on deposition exhibits, participate in conference calls and meetings with clients and, in fact, are invited to attend meetings between our associates and partners that relate to cases in which they are providing assistance. The strong emphasis is that they obtain hands-on experience in all aspects of an active employment/litigation office.

In 2006, during an age discrimination/retaliation lawsuit which was tried in The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, several interns each day were permitted, by the Court, to attend the morning and/or afternoon sessions. All nine interns participated in significant aspects of the trial including research, analyzing deposition transcripts and preparing them for use during trial. The students had the opportunity to analyze and identify trial exhibits and this year were involved in preparation of material used in a pre-trial order. The jury returned a verdict, on June 9, 2006, in our client's favor, in the amount of $2.5 million. All of the interns were able to experience and share in the elation felt by our client and our staff as a result of the favorable verdict.

During the course of the program, of which litigation is an integral component, the interns are supervised by Murray Schwartz, Senior Partner, his partner and daughter Davida S. Perry, partner Brian Heller, as well as our associates, who have been an essential aspect of the program. The interns, therefore, have the benefit of individualized supervision from each of our attorneys, all experienced in the field of employment law and litigation.

Schwartz & Perry is proud to be able to host this annual program, which is dedicated to promoting legal excellence amongst future legal practitioners in the employment field. We have played a significant role in forging the landscape of employment discrimination law. We look forward to the role we can continue to play in the future of employment law by offering New York City law students the opportunity to participate, on a hands-on basis, in the practice of an active and successful employment law firm.

SOME FEEDBACK FROM PAST INTERNS

Dear Mr. Schwartz, What good fortune that I wound up at your firm this summer! I can't imagine a more hands-on, rewarding experience with better people. Thank you so much for everything - Thank you! I sincerely hope that my schedule will permit me to work with you again in the upcoming school year. I had the best job in the word this summer, and I owe it all to you.
Yours truly, M.

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Dear Mr. Schwartz, Thank your for the opportunity to spend the summer working and learning with you, Brian, Davida. It was a wonderful experience and a pleasure working with everyone. I really appreciated the range of practical legal experiences I was able to participate in and I learned more about the profession than from any class I have taken in law school.
Sincerely, T.

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Dear Davida, How can I thank you for everything you taught me on just one note card? I can't tell you how much I enjoyed working with you this summer.
Yours truly, M.

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