Clerkship Program

 

Tyson & Mendes’ Summer Law Clerk program introduces our Clerks to the daily practice of law as an attorney. As a Clerk, you will gain valuable real world legal experience. As an individual, you will experience both professional and personal growth.

Tyson & Mendes is a civil litigation firm based in San Diego, with offices in 15 states. Our firm began as two attorneys in the trenches, working to give our clients the best defense and the best service of any firm in the industry. Today, we are an AV rated litigation firm with over 100 lawyers committed to providing our clients with exceptional service and results across the nation.

Tyson & Mendes treats our Summer Clerks as first year Associates. We challenge you with interesting and varied work assignments. We strive to give our Summer Clerks an accurate sense of what it is like to work in the legal arena. Summer Clerks are exposed to our daily litigation practice, undertaking projects at the direction of a guiding attorney. Our objective is to provide opportunities for our Clerks to experience Tyson & Mendes practice and culture.

 

Work Assignments and Opportunities

Clerks accompany attorneys to depositions, hearings, conferences, trials, and other judicial proceedings. Clerks are empowered to take responsibility for meaningful assignments on a variety of litigated matters. While a Summer Clerk’s assignments are varied, opportunities include the following:

  • Conduct substantive research and prepare memoranda
  • Draft and summarize discovery
  • Draft motions and other court filings
  • Observe depositions and mediation
  • Assist with trial preparation
  • Participate in formal attorney education programs
  • Participate with litigation teams in trial strategy meetings
  • Participate in bi-weekly attorney meetings with the Managing Partner

 

Guidance

We closely monitor the Summer Clerks’ workloads to ensure each Clerk receives substantive assignments at a manageable level. Each Clerk receives individual instruction and feedback on their assignments. Clerks will work alongside attorneys to contribute in meaningful ways. Our objective is for clerks to feel that they are a significant part of the team and interact on a meaningful level with our attorneys. All Clerks are invited to attend firm-wide litigation and training programs.

 

Evaluation

Summer Clerks receive a formal, written evaluation at the end of the summer, including a sit-down review of their work performance. The constructive feedback each clerk receives is an invaluable part of the summer experience. Clerks are encouraged to solicit informal feedback from the attorneys they work with on a regular basis. Furthermore, the firm requests formal feedback from our Summer Clerks about their experience with the goal of continuously improving the program for those involved.

Every Clerk has the opportunity to succeed in Tyson & Mendes’ summer program. The firm is proud to present post-bar offers of employment to every Summer Clerk who excels in their summer clerkship and successfully completes any applicable bar exam after graduation.

 

What You Can Expect

Students that clerk at Tyson & Mendes can expect a summer that will inspire, educate, and enlighten them about their future as an attorney. The individualized guidance, hands-on legal assignments, unique Tyson & Mendes litigation training, and social activities make this an opportunity that will benefit law students as they realize their professional goals and transition from law student to lawyer.

 

Expectation: Criteria for A Successful Summer Clerk

We are looking for second year law students who have demonstrated academic excellence, as well as involvement in law school activities such as, but not limited to: journal experience, externships, volunteer work, moot court, and other competition teams. We strive to hire exceptional attorneys to join our firm who demonstrate a high degree of professionalism, work ethic, initiative, and creativity. We apply these same standards when recruiting and hiring Summer Clerks.

Qualities we look for in our Summer Clerks are:

  • Superior critical thinking, discretion, and analytical skills
  • Excellence in complex legal research
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Ability to manage multiple competing priorities

Our Summer Clerks are both book-smart and street smart. They are eager to learn and demonstrate their eagerness through critical inquiry. They are not afraid to ask questions and seek feedback. They embrace every opportunity to learn and tackle each assignment with tenacity.

 

Application Process

Our program for Summer 2024 is full.  We will begin recruiting for Summer 2025 in June.  If you have any questions, please contact the Firm Development and Partner Relations Director, Carmen Lam at clam@tysonmendes.com.