Ward and Smith is thrilled to welcome a new class of interns to the second year of the firm's Staff Internship Program.
The firm launched its inaugural staff internship program in 2021 to increase the diversity pipeline for professional staff in the legal field. Ward and Smith partners with local high schools and community colleges to provide students with exposure to the many facets of the legal profession and hands-on experience in a law office. From the 2021 internship program, the firm hired three interns for full-time positions.
"Our area schools are a great opportunity to engage diverse students in the cities where our offices exist," remarked Michael Christman, Ward and Smith's Director of Human Resources. "For us, this investment will help ensure that we have qualified staff in the talent pipeline with fresh perspectives on how best to serve clients."
Last year, the internship program was piloted in three of the firm's offices. It has now expanded to all five locations through efforts spearheaded, in part, by Human Resources Coordinator Jessica Denoyer.
"The program has been a great success, and we're fortunate to have schools and educators who are willing to partner with us to help build a better, more diverse workforce," Jessica said.
Ward and Smith partnered with Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington; D.H. Conley High School in Greenville; Pitt Community College near Greenville; Hillside High School in Durham; Durham Tech in Durham; South College in Asheville; Nesbitt Discovery Academy in Asheville; and West Craven High School in New Bern.
"Ward and Smith's internship program is an excellent opportunity for South College," remarked Tressa Hayes, Legal Studies Department Chair and Paralegal Program Director. "We are delighted with our current Asheville student's engagement in challenging practical tasks and real-world professional development activities. This is the ideal capstone experience for graduating paralegal students."
The 2022 Staff Internship program runs through May.
Meet our 2022 Staff Interns:
Asheville Office
Rebecca Daggerhart
Office Services Assistant Intern
Sandra Hamel
Paralegal Intern
Greenville Office
Aiman "Vic' Elkassabany
Paralegal Intern
David Mallinson
Office Services Assistant Intern
New Bern Office
Courtney Holliday
Paralegal Intern
Bree Slaubaugh
Office Services Assistant Intern
Raleigh Office
Zenobia Salahuddin
Paralegal Intern
Aniyah Mathews
Office Services Intern
Wilmington Office
Dawnanna Squires
Paralegal Intern
