I’ll be honest: I was a little skeptical at first,” says Jeff Keane, EAGLE and work- study program participant. “In walks this young man, a 2L, with really no discernible legal abilities. The one thing he had going for him was he told me that through a program at the University of Washington I would only have to pay 35 or 40 percent of a typical hourly wage. Considering the upside could be making something useful of him, the price was right.” So began my career in plaintiff work. At that point in my legal education, I was pretty sure about one thing: I didn’t have a clue. So I could understand a potential employer balking at the idea of paying me anything, really. What I needed was a break into the profession. Luckily I had two things working for me: a good word from my father (EAGLE Rob Wilson-Hoss, who happened to be classmates with Jeff at the University of Washington), and my financial aid package, which included a substantial sum for a potential work-study position, should I elect to use it that way.

So I did some homework. I utilized the work-study office at UW and understood how the program worked and what an employer would have to do to qualify and hire someone such as myself for a fraction of what I, the student, would be making. I found it was easy to do for both employer and employee.

I want to share my experience and research with you in the hope that you will consider hiring a work-study intern. In all likelihood your doing so will benefit your firm, the student, and Washington State Association for Justice.

**Why now Tyler? And why are you sounding like you are selling something?**

If you are an established lawyer and WSAJ member, you may recall hearing this appeal to hire a work-study intern before. Yet now is arguably THE best time for all parties involved because of the state of the economy.

Prospective employers: You need help since people are still getting into collisions and breaching contracts. You’ll need to maximize the return on any investment you make. The state budget crisis has meant cuts everywhere, including the work-study program. Still, if you hire an intern today you will likely be reimbursed 50 percent of the salary you pay him or her. You pay her $15, you get $7.50 of that back. That’s less than the minimum wage in this state for goodness sake.

And what would you be getting for your money? By many accounts WSAJ members have been pleased with the product of their interns. These young women and men are hungry to learn and begin their practical legal education. Plus, they’ll do the stuff that you don’t have time to do or don’t want to do. I won’t bore you with all of the tasks Jeff had me do when I worked for him, except to say that I was in Ex Parte court a lot.

Finally, getting approved and getting a job posting up now will position you perfectly to pick from a pool of students who want to work this summer.

For interns, the benefits of real-world experience are incalculable. The skills learned are benefits in and of themselves, but they also give you a leg up on getting a job in the future. Finally, you’ll be doing your WSAJ civic duty by injecting a little youth into our organization. Today’s interns are tomorrow’s members.

**Wait a minute Tyler, it’s got to be a real pain to sign up for and administer this program, right?**

Wrong.

For employers, such as WSAJ members, it is relatively easy to qualify to begin hiring work-study students, says Jenny Draggoo, state work-study specialist at Gonzaga University. Employers must fill out an Employer Contract and Student Job Description; must run a healthy business; and must not be religiously or politically affiliated. Basically, if the employer would be a good place for a student to work and be mentored, typically the approval process is not a problem.

Law firms employing work-study interns are even more likely to be hired, says Dean Naomi Sanchez of the University of Washington School of Law Career Services Office. “Almost 100 percent of employers are approved.”

Once done, employers are free to post jobs through the law school and interview applicants. Students are allowed to work up to 19 hours a week during school, and 40 during breaks or during the summer. Once a student is hired, the employer pays the student directly and fills out and turns in timesheets for hours the student works (you can have your intern do this for you). Once you have reviewed and submitted the time sheet, you will be reimbursed for the state share as quickly as possible.

While due to state budget cuts, the reimbursement rate is now a little less than it was when I was hired, that has not dissuaded employers from becoming approved and continuing to hire, says Draggoo.

Small employers particularly benefit from this program, says Dean Naomi Sanchez at UW School of Law. “Small firms don’t have the internal hiring structures of the larger firms and without the bureaucracy can move more quickly when the right opportunity arises to hire some help.” Smaller firms also greatly benefit from the discounted hourly rate.

**I’m still not sold. I’m going to need at least one testimonial from a WSAJ member about how easy it is to sign up and what kind of work product I’m going to receive.**

Longtime WSAJ member Andy Benjamin has hired seven law clerks in the last six years. “Originally I needed some help with legal research and writing, but my work load wasn’t such that I needed an associate. I remember clerking when I was in school, and I really enjoyed my experience.”

Benjamin originally contacted Seattle University about hiring a student, and they sent him the forms to fill out and walked him through the process. He was approved soon after and set about posting a job, fielding resumes, and interviewing. Once he had hired a student, his administrative duties were light.

“I actually had the clerks keep their hours and fill out the form completely, so all I had to do was sign and date it. They were also responsible for turning the forms in on time. It was pretty easy.”

Benjamin has had mostly success in hiring work-study interns. “Out of seven, I would say I had only one that was less than satisfactory. All of the others were good to excellent. These are highly motivated people who are looking for practical experience and someone to vouch for their abilities when they are looking for a job as young attorneys.”

Finally, Benjamin felt he personally and professionally benefited from the connections he made with the younger generation of attorneys. “For someone who wants to give back, I would recommend hiring a clerk. I have found genuine camaraderie with my former clerks, many of whom have stayed in touch. Plus, interacting with the younger members of our profession is a good way to keep from stagnating among my own peer group.”

**OK, so Andy Benjamin is a longstanding WSAJ member who participates in and likes hiring work-study interns. Now I want a testimonial from a current WSAJ member who was an intern.**

EAGLE member and former workstudy student Ryan Pauley is also a proponent of the program. Pauley had little idea what work-study was for him until he found himself in an interview for a position he wanted and was told they would hire him, but only if he was work-study eligible. He worked with his school’s administration to receive an award, and soon after he was employed doing legal work.

Considering what they teach you in school,” said Pauley, “work-study was like taking another course only getting paid for it. Right off the bat I felt like I was making a meaningful impact. My first project was rewriting the employee handbook, and soon after I was interacting with clients and negotiating contracts.”

Considering the benefit he received from getting paid for on the job training, and the benefit his employer received in relatively cheap labor, Pauley was surprised more employers and students didn’t take advantage of the program. “If small firms knew that a student’s wages were significantly subsidized through this program, perhaps there would be more opportunities for young lawyers.”

**Tyler, I’ll be honest: you’ve almost got me. I’ve got some space and a spare desk, I’m swamped with work, this doesn’t sound like such a hassle, and I’ll probably be able to both get some decent work out of an intern and also feel good about mentoring him or her. What would really put me over the edge is some proof that our greater organization would benefit.**

It is good for WSAJ. “Our membership is getting older,” explains Brandi Alexander Marinoni, Membership Administrator at WSAJ. “It’s important to attract good students early to our areas of law. If our members can groom new members, it’s good for the overall health of our organization.”

**Thank you Tyler. I am now fully informed about the myriad benefits of hiring a work-study intern. Bring me full circle.**

So, Jeff, was I worth it? Said Keane: “I’d say you were.” Tom Degan, senior associate in Keane’s office, agreed. “It’s always nice to have someone in the office who’s still in school,” explains Degan. “You do this job long enough, and I think you start to take for granted what a privilege practicing law really is. One of the things I remember about your time here was that you were excited about the law, and that energy and enthusiasm you brought to our office was refreshing.”

*Tyler Goldberg-Hoss, WSAJ EAGLE member, is an associate in the Seattle firm of Chemnick Moen Greenstreet, which limits its practice to medical negligence claims. This article was first published in Trial News, March 2011.*