Launch your legal career with a foundational role in the dynamic world of business law. Corporate and Commercial Legal Intern jobs offer law students an unparalleled opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience within the legal frameworks that govern modern enterprises. This internship serves as a critical bridge between academic theory and the real-world application of law in a corporate setting, preparing aspiring attorneys for future roles as in-house counsel or specialists in corporate law firms. Typically, interns in this field are immersed in two primary legal domains: corporate law and commercial law. On the corporate side, common responsibilities include assisting with matters of corporate governance, such as helping to prepare materials for board meetings and maintaining corporate records. Interns often gain exposure to corporate transactional work, learning the fundamentals of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), securities regulations, and public company compliance. They conduct vital legal research, draft memoranda on a variety of corporate topics, and observe how a legal department interfaces with business units, finance, and compliance teams. The commercial law aspect focuses on the agreements that fuel daily business operations. Interns frequently assist with drafting, reviewing, and managing commercial contracts. This encompasses a wide range of agreements, such as Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) licenses, vendor contracts, and confidentiality agreements. Through this work, they learn to navigate risk allocation, intellectual property rights, liability clauses, and data privacy considerations. A key part of the role involves collaborating with cross-functional partners from procurement, information security, and finance to ensure contracts align with business objectives and risk tolerance. The typical skill set and requirements for these positions are designed to identify motivated and capable law students. Candidates are generally expected to be currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school, often after completing their first or second year. Success in these jobs hinges on excellent analytical and research abilities, meticulous attention to detail, and strong written and verbal communication skills. Interns must be highly organized, manage their time effectively across multiple assignments, and demonstrate professional judgment. A proactive, eager-to-learn attitude and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a larger legal and business team are essential traits. Ultimately, Corporate and Commercial Legal Intern jobs provide a comprehensive immersion into the engine room of business law, building a robust portfolio of experience that is highly valued by future employers in both corporate legal departments and private practice.
