As a rising junior at the University of South Carolina, I wanted to get a head start in exploring my options as I prepare to enter my journey into the “real world.” I am majoring in Political Science with the ultimate goal of attending law school. While my interests range from diplomacy to working for the State Department to being an attorney, Modern Legal fit exactly what I was looking for: a taste of family law. In just two weeks into my summer experience, I have had the chance to see a little bit into the legal process and already learned a lot. While I know there is much more to come, I wanted to reflect on some of the early takeaways I have had during my time here.
Personability
One of the things I have been told by just about everybody is that family law is one of those areas of law that impact people on a deeply personal level. Even in my short time here, I can see how emotion plays a significant role in family law. Whether it is divorce, child custody, or other domestic issues, our clients are not just dealing with legal problems, they are navigating some of the most difficult moments in their lives. This being my first time in such a setting, I feel overwhelm at times with all there is to know regarding the law and how it applies to each specific case. I think it is important to acknowledge, this feeling of overwhelm is being experienced by our clients too. Watching our attorneys and staff here handle those situations with both professionalism and empathy has reminded me that being a good lawyer is not just about knowing the law, it is about being a good listener too.
Learning the Legal Ropes
So far, I have mostly been learning how the firm operates and its procedures. This includes answering the phone, setting up consultations, and learning payment options. I have also had the opportunity to observe consultations as well and see how each of our attorneys handle different cases. I am eager to work more closely with our attorneys and see how they tackle their caseloads while learning more about the law. All of the steps of the process I am being exposed to are helping me get a sense of how a case moves from intake to resolution. I am starting to see and connect how much coordination, detail, and teamwork happens behind the scenes.
One Case at a Time
While there may seem to be overlap, no two situations or families are alike. Our attorneys have to be flexible and responsive, knowing when to mediate and when to advocate firmly. It is clear that family law is not a one-size-fits-all line of work, and that makes the work both challenging and meaningful. I am grateful to be learning from a team that approaches their work with compassion, skill, and dedication. I am excited to continue this internship and dive deeper into what it takes to be a successful lawyer. Stay tuned for an update!
If you want to learn more about family law services, our team at Modern Legal is here to help.
Written by: Talia Hitt
Inspired by her own experiences with domestic violence and the family court system, Theresa E. Viera became the first lawyer in her family, graduating from the University of North Carolina School of Law. She has dedicated her career to helping families find healthy solutions through various legal tools, including negotiations, mediation, collaborative law, and litigation when necessary. With years of experience in Family Law, she strives to inspire others and make a positive impact on the lives of her clients, just as her mother’s attorney once inspired her.
