Ward and Smith is pleased to welcome the newest cohort of interns for the third installment of the esteemed Staff Internship Program.
The firm launched its internship program in 2021, aiming to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal field by collaborating with local high schools and community colleges to provide students with real-world experience in a law firm. It marks the first time that Ward and Smith implemented such a program for professional staff positions, having previously held internships for law students for several decades.
"We believe that providing a unique, professional experience to our interns helps to cultivate the next generation of diverse legal professionals," said Michael Christman, Ward and Smith's Director of Human Resources. "Plus, our local schools are brimming with talent, and we want to make sure those students have the opportunity to reach their full potential."
This year's 2023 class consists of eight interns who will work with Ward and Smith attorneys and staff on a variety of legal projects, initiatives, and events. The firm is hosting one paralegal intern in the Greenville, New Bern, and Raleigh offices, in addition to two paralegal interns in the Wilmington office. Additionally, office services assistant interns will rotate through the mail room, file room, and reception. The interns have been selected from a range of partnered schools, including Cape Fear Community College and New Hanover High School in Wilmington; J. H. Rose High School in Greenville; Pitt Community College near Greenville; West Craven High School in New Bern, and Durham Tech in Durham.
"We are so proud to welcome this incredible group of interns," remarked Jessica Denoyer, the firm's Human Resources Coordinator. "We know they will bring a lot to the table and help us continue our mission of providing quality legal services to our clients and building a stronger, more diverse future for the legal field."
Jessica has been instrumental in the growth of the Staff Internship Program through her outreach and engagement with local schools, such as her appointment to Durham Technical Community College's Paralegal Technology Advisory Committee. She has also worked to ensure that the program is successful and beneficial for everyone involved.
"This is an investment, not only to the future of the legal profession, but also to the future of Ward and Smith. So it's imperative that our interns are engaged, challenged, and supported throughout the program," said Jessica.
The program has been highly successful thus far, leading to the firm hiring six interns on a full-time basis, with the remainder continuing with their studies.
The 2023 Staff Internship Program runs through May.
Meet our 2023 Staff Interns:
Greenville
Victoria Blount
Paralegal Intern
Emma Schemerhorn
Office Services Assistant Intern
New Bern
Ginger Jones
Paralegal Intern
Catherine Everett
Office Services Assistant Intern
Raleigh
Tamara Burton
Paralegal Intern
Wilmington
Jessica Carroll
Paralegal Intern
Wyatt Fields
Paralegal Intern
Micaela Washington
Office Services Assistant Intern
