S.H. Summer Associate Testimonial
My name is Sam Horowitz, I am originally from Long Island. I went to high school in Nassau County, I graduated in 2006. In 2006 I went to undergraduate in New York City, right here, at Columbia University and I actually played golf at Columbia University, I was recruited as an athlete there. Upon graduation in 2010 I decided to embark on my legal education and legal career and I am currently attending Fordham University scheduled to graduate this May of 2013.
Q: What was your role here at ALB PC?
A: I am a semester extern I guess is how you describe it, and I started in January of this year, of more than four months here, three and a half months, 2 days a week.
Q: What was it like working at ALB PC?
A: It was a very good experience. It happened to be my first law firm experience with real estate. I’ve worked in the past out at a law firm in Long Island doing corporate transactional work, I haven’t done any real estate related, although there were some real estate components involved in my previous job. However, this was my first experience and it was a great one indeed because I got a very comprehensive exposure to all areas of real estate. I worked part-time with some of the transactional attorneys including [redacted], Allison Weisman and Rosemary Luizzo. I also worked simultaneously with litigation group, litigation attorneys, ranging from Adam himself to Joanna C. Peck to Vladimir Mironenko to everyone in the office. They gave me really nice broad exposure to a lot of different real estate related issues.
Q: What type of tasks did you perform?
A: When was working with the transactional group, I was responsible for conducting closings on my own. I actually conducted three in and outside of the city, two on condominium deals, and another one yesterday actually, was my first co-op one. So I got real practical experience doing what I will hopefully be doing in the future as a practicing lawyer. That was great, that was in the field, really down to the nitty gritty adding some real, tremendous experience.
When it comes to working with the litigation partners, litigation attorneys, I did a lot of research. I was actually given some experience drafting some specific pleadings, specific motions. I also worked on a research assignment for Adam on Director and Officer Liability Insurance which was tremendously involved and there was a large research component, but there was also a pretty large analytical component. So a lot of the work oriented around doing a lot of research, doing a lot of analysis and applying any legal issues to the matter.
Q: What is the one experience that would stand in your mind that you gained from working here?
A: I would say the best part about working here would probably be, and this may be a little bit strange, would be my desk location. Because I was located in the back of the firm, right outside Adam’s office, right outside Guy’s office, right outside of Vladimir’s office, right outside of Joanna’s and Alison’s office and I was really exposed to a large amount of their conversations on the law and the amount of legal issues that they experienced on a day to day basis, and I listened in, and I tried to learn what was going on with those particular issues and I would do some research on my own to better understand what was exactly going on. So just listening, watching and experiencing what the lawyers here go through on a daily basis. That was probably the most valuable experience that I could possibly get.
Q: Do you have any other comments or suggestions for future interns or just working here in general?
A: I think working here if you have the opportunity to do so is something you should definitely experience and definitely elect to do. I’d say just make the most of it, try to be involved whether you are focused on transactional or litigation. Just get experience in every facet of this law because they are all interrelated to some extent and the more you know the better you will be in your career. So really just embrace it and work with everyone and don’t be shy to take on any tasks and then you should be really good.
Q: Do we have your permission to post this on our website?
A: Yes, you do. Absolutely.