Organizational Culture at Jezic & Moyse, LLC
I have a unique perspective at my current internship because they rarely, if ever, have undergraduate interns. As a law firm, they are only accustomed to law clerks, who are current law students, in the office. I believe that this has given me a different point of view than many of the current employees, most of who are much older than me, and have been at the firm for many years. The strongest values at the firm seem to be centered around the work ethic of the attorneys; it is very common for most of them to stay until 7/8 pm and work weekends. The firm is divided by the different types of law that are practiced; the two biggest departments are criminal law and immigration law. I am in the immigration department, and every one I have met there thus far has nothing but praise for their job. This seems to be another value of the company; having employees that are truly passionate about their work. Despite law firms having a reputation for being cutthroat, what I have experienced thus far is a supportive environment from everyone that I interact with, even those who don’t know me. This positive attitude of the attorneys, especially those who work so many hours, is certainly an asset to the firm in attracting clients. The norms of the workplace are similar to most- there is a business formal dress code, people are friendly, there is a traditional hierarchy of power/responsibility. The only thing that would potentially unconventional is that there is not really a typical 9-5 pm schedule for the attorneys, and so it is normal for people to come and go from the office without a set schedule.
Typical communication is either done face to face between attorneys that are working on a case together, via the administrative assistants, or through the software called NEEDLES which handles all of the firm’s communications on cases. The context of my site in terms of the leadership is very relevant, especially when it comes to the immigration department. Himedes, my supervisor, started the immigration department only five years ago, and initially the department consisted of only him. He has since hired other attorneys, paralegals, assistants, law clerks, etc, but he still remains the authority figure of the immigration department, even amongst the other attorneys who technically have the same title as him, due to his experience and expertise. Despite being widely recognized as an expert on immigration law (he is frequently called to testify in trials from other law firms as an expert witness), he has become a mentor to many young attorneys as immigration law is a field of law that is is on the rise and constantly changing. While the other attorneys have complete control over their individual cases, it is my understanding that Himedes leads the department and any recommendation he gives is almost always followed.
What an opportunity, to be the only undergraduate intern at the site. I do imagine this distinction (and perhaps your leadership studies major) give you a unique perspective. Would be interesting to hear – as you are there longer – about if your supervisor receives the same regard from others at the firm who are not in immigration, or if it is more departmentally based. Clearly a strength that your supervisor is a recognized expert in the area of immigration, both for your experience and for the firm’s sake.