Isabella Jurcisin, 2L, is from New York, New York. She attended Dickinson College for her undergraduate degree. This summer, she worked as a legal intern at Penguin Random House in its New York office. She also serves as an admissions ambassador and the treasurer of the Latinx Law Student Association. 

How did you connect with or find this summer opportunity?

When I read Emily Condlin’s article, “Why Our Lawyers May Be Among Your Earliest Readers,” it opened my eyes to a whole different part of the legal world, one where I would have the opportunity to utilize the law to protect authors and readers and led me to apply to Penguin Random House (PRH).

How does your experience connect with what you currently envision doing with your law degree?

My experience connects with how I envision using my law degree in the future. I hope to interact with creatives and employ the law to protect their brands. I also hope to focus on intellectual property, and this role has given me great insight into all aspects of media law! 

Please describe a “typical” workday on the job.

After arriving at the PRH office in Midtown, I meet with several attorneys throughout the day to review memos I have written regarding legal questions. Occasionally, I will have the opportunity to meet with an author and explain possible legal issues present within their manuscripts. I like to spend my lunch roaming the office and looking at books that are available for employees from the “take-home shelves.” I also attend several Intern events hosted by Penguin, where I am able to network with other interns and employees of the company. 

What is something you learned or experienced that was surprising or particularly compelling during this summer position?

How prominent the law is within the publishing industry – from the contracts that enable books to be bought, licensed, and printed, to legal reads needed of the manuscripts themselves, the law plays a huge part! 

What are a couple of your key takeaways from the experience so far?

Always take advantage of an opportunity to connect with someone and take time to reflect on how far you’ve come from the start of your position. 

How has your summer experience compared with your expectations? 

My experience has exceeded my expectations; I have been able to connect with people throughout the publishing industry and see first-hand how the attorneys of the department protect the rights of readers and authors. 

What advice would you offer another law student thinking about working in a similar position next summer?

Reach out to people within the industry; I have learned that everyone in the publishing industry knows someone. You never know where one conversation will lead you. 

How are you spending your free time this summer?

I like to spend time with my family and friends. I am a native New Yorker – so, it was good to be home! 

What are you most looking forward to in returning to Minnesota Law this fall?

Reuniting with my friends! I made really close friends at the U who were a defining part of my 1L experience.