This week was my first full week in the Tampa office, and it was filled with training, observation, and practical experience that helped me better understand the day-to-day work of the firm.
Monday began with library and Westlaw training, which reinforced research strategies and highlighted the resources available to us. For lunch, the associates and I went to Jackson’s, where we enjoyed steak, sushi, and conversations about their experiences working in the office. The day wrapped up with Harvey AI training, giving us a look at how the firm uses technology to support legal research and drafting.
On Tuesday, Joe Metzger led a session for the summer associates on taking depositions. He walked us through the purpose of a deposition, how to structure questions, and what attorneys aim to accomplish during the process. Hearing his approach made the material more practical and easier to visualize in a real-world setting.
Wednesday focused on observing attorneys in action. I attended a hearing with my mentor, Renee Duffy, and later sat in on a meeting with several attorneys. Both experiences provided valuable insight into how attorneys collaborate, evaluate strategy, and plan next steps for their cases.
On Thursday, I joined Blake Bonsack for a site inspection at Busch Gardens. Seeing the physical location connected to a matter added context that is not always apparent from documents alone. It was a valuable reminder that understanding the environment behind a case can play an important role in how legal issues are analyzed.
Overall, the week was both informative and engaging. Each day provided a different perspective on the practice of law, and the variety of experiences made the week especially rewarding. I am excited to continue building on what I have learned so far this summer.
