JD Student Spotlight - Carter Massengill

What made you decide that you wanted to go to law school?

Drawn to the opportunity to apply a creative mindset to complex problem-solving and engage in a dynamic classroom environment, law school has always been my plan. It was important for me, however, to first gain professional experience to enhance my legal education. After undergrad, I worked at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in a variety of investment research roles. My time there was valuable; I acquired skills, learned about the markets, and made lasting friendships.

Although I could have envisioned spending my entire career at J.P. Morgan, I found myself craving more intellectual rigor. After three years, I chose Seton Hall to achieve my long-standing goal of attending law school. As cliché as it sounds, I’ve loved every day of law school and am constantly reminded that this is the right career for me. In interviews, I’m often asked to pick a favorite 1L class. While I generally believe it’s best to have a specific answer, the truth is I found each class equally fascinating.

How did your experiences before law school shape your employment decisions in law school?

Ironically, working in the financial industry before law school drew me to litigation. Despite wanting to avoid transactional law, working at J.P. Morgan has been incredibly impactful in my job search. My understanding of financial markets helped shape my 1L summer experience, where I focused on complex financial disputes in the loan industry.

When interviewing for 2L summer positions, I was able to leverage my prior experience to offer and articulate the “client-side” perspective. J.P. Morgan has worked with most big law firms, and understanding how to convey dense legal concepts in a simple way that can be understood by non-lawyers is a critical skill.

What firm did you work at during your 1L summer?

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe.

What did you like about your 1L summer experience? Would you change the decision you made to work for a firm? Why or why not?

My summer experience at Orrick was fantastic, as it included substantive work and networking opportunities. I researched novel legal issues, helped draft motions to dismiss, and learned about the lifecycle of a case from a firm perspective. I particularly appreciated connecting with the Seton Hall Law attorneys at Orrick, highlighting how impressive and welcoming our alumni base is.

Everyone is different, but I would not change my decision to work for a firm. It gave me firsthand exposure to firm culture, a sense of the pace and expectations, and helped me feel more prepared heading into 2L summer and beyond. Plus, getting paid is a nice bonus. I recommend working at a firm during 1L summer, knowing you can apply for judicial and public interest internships during the semester to experience a different side of the law.

You chose to apply for other positions with other firms for your 2L summer, even after you had received a return offer from Orrick. Why was that?

I decided to apply to other firms to gain exposure to different work environments and broaden my perspective. I was fortunate to be in a position where I could thoroughly compare my experience at Orrick with that of another firm. I believe that understanding different firm cultures will help me make the most informed decisions about my post-graduate career. Additionally, I was eager to explore cases beyond the commercial litigation space.

You will be working at Cravath, Swaine & Moore this summer—what are you most excited about?

I’m especially excited about Cravath’s generalist approach to litigation, which sets it apart from most other firms. As someone still unsure about what type of litigation I’d like to practice, the opportunity to work across different industries and subject matters really appealed to me. Throughout the interview and networking process, I was consistently impressed by the thoughtfulness and intellectual curiosity of the attorneys I met. I’m looking forward to joining a team that works on high-impact cases and values innovative thinking.

Have you had any internships during the semester? If so, can you talk a little about those experiences?

Although I worked at a firm during my 1L summer, I was still eager to work in the judicial setting. This spring, I interned in the Third Circuit for Judge Shwartz. The internship has allowed me to experience the inner workings of chambers, engage with good (and bad) legal writing, and encounter areas of the law that I would never come across in class.

While balancing a judicial internship and classes can be difficult, I highly recommend it. It not only helps you apply theoretical concepts you’ve learned in class to actual cases but also enriches your academic experience. As someone who wants to clerk after graduation, I’ve appreciated the flexibility of doing a judicial internship during the semester.

What advice do you have for the 1Ls who are presently interviewing for their 2L summer positions?

First, try not to let the stress of the 2L summer job search impact your preparation for finals. A strong academic record makes a big difference. If you want to work at a large firm, monitor their websites so you can apply as soon as they open. Once you’ve applied, check LinkedIn for alumni connections. If someone went to Seton Hall or your undergrad, they’ll likely be happy to talk—and those conversations can open doors. Ask if they have time to chat about their firm, and softly mention that you applied for a summer position.

When interviewing, just be yourself. Don’t worry about any technical questions. Firms don’t expect deep legal knowledge. Rather, they want people who are curious, enthusiastic, and pleasant to work with. One way to stand out is by including a unique interest at the bottom of your resume. It gives interviewers an easy way to start an authentic, relaxed conversation.

If you have to decide between firms, there are several factors to consider. For me, it’s primarily about the people. Most law firms do similar work, so you really want to surround yourself with people who take a genuine interest in you and invest in your professional growth. You might also consider a firm’s reputation, as it may play a role in setting you up for future opportunities. It’s also important to gauge how much responsibility certain firms give to junior associates.

Once you’re in your summer role, try to talk with junior associates about what their day-to-day is really like. Summer positions are designed to impress you just as much as you’re trying to impress the firm—but they might not reflect the realities of being a first-year associate. Honest conversations can help you assess whether a firm is a good long-term fit.