Adventures in Employment - Timothy Knapp

1. Did you always want to be a lawyer? If not, how did you decide to pursue law school?
I didn’t become set on pursuing a legal career until my experience volunteering on a Juvenile Conference Committee (JCC) in Essex County many years ago. A JCC is a volunteer program in NJ operated under the Family Division of each county’s Superior Court. It’s aimed at preventing juveniles’ minor offenses from repeating. The experience was my first exposure to judges and the broader legal system, and it didn’t take long for my interest in the law to grow from there. Since then, throughout law school and beyond, my enthusiasm has continued to grow.

2. How has your law school experience been? Any particular highlights?
I’ve had a very exciting law school experience thus far. 1L was undoubtedly a learning curve, but after settling into an effective routine, I loved the challenge and came to appreciate each class uniquely. Civil Procedure and Property both went from my least favorite to my most favorite courses over the semesters - a notion I’m certain I would have laughed at a year ago.

The real highlights have been the extracurriculars and experiences beyond the classroom. Researching and writing a comment for the Seton Hall Law Review has been particularly rewarding. The process has allowed me to delve into a legal area of interest to a depth I wouldn’t have reached otherwise. And, my externships - both at the NJ AG’s Office and a judicial externship at the District Court - have provided me with opportunities to work on real-life legal matters that were both engaging and educational. I also developed great relationships through these positions.

Participating in the Eugene Gressman Moot Court Competition has been a more recent highlight. Though still in its early stages, it’s already been fun gaining oral advocacy skills and co-drafting a brief with a partner for the first time. I’m excited at the opportunity to advance to later rounds in the competition.

3. You worked at the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office during your 1L summer.  How was that experience?
My experience at the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office was certainly one of the most rewarding opportunities I’ve had in law school. Every attorney in the office is incredibly welcoming and invested in helping the interns. The summer intern class is large - mine was around twenty-nine I believe - and we had group presentations and even a mock trial together. It all contributed to a collaborative atmosphere throughout the office.

4. What kinds of projects did you work on?
I interned in the Professional Boards Prosecution section, which handles professional licensing disciplinary proceedings. The majority of these matters are healthcare-related, particularly concerning doctors. The cases involve a wide range of issues, such as doctors indiscriminately prescribing opioids, engaging in sexual misconduct, and other forms of gross misconduct. The prosecutions are civil matters adjudicated in administrative forums.

5. Did you find the AG’s Office to be a good way to get legal experience? Why or why not?
Absolutely. I gained practical experience through the different legal issues I researched and the several memos I drafted. The issues were novel and fascinating to explore. The biggest benefit I noticed was that I became more confident in my legal research and writing skills. I also benefitted more intangibly from observational experiences. One of my favorite parts of the program was getting to observe a trial for the first time. It was particularly interesting because I had contributed to parts of the matter beforehand.

6. How has working at the AG’s Office helped to inform the next steps in your legal career, if at all?
The internship solidified my interest in litigation. I was initially unsure whether or not I should pursue a litigation-related position heading into OCI, but I became sure litigation was the right fit for me by the end of the summer. I also had the opportunity to meet many attorneys and law students with similar interests and aspirations.

7. Where will you be working this summer? And, where do you hope to be post-graduation?
I’m greatly looking forward to joining Archer & Greiner, P.C. as a summer associate in the firm’s Hackensack office. Post-graduation, I aim to continue working in litigation and developing my legal skillset. I am considering clerking post-graduation to further these goals.

8. Any advice for students looking to pursue an internship at the New Jersey AG’s Office?
Interested students should apply early and work with the Office of Career Services to get their materials ready and polished to do so. Students should note that the AG’s Office also has internship programs in the fall and spring semesters that are an equally valuable opportunity to gain experience. Researching the various sections and finding ones of particular interest will help students make informed decisions on where they’d like to be placed, though all sections will provide students with an engaging and diverse range of assignments. Students with questions should consider reaching out to past interns, like me, who have experience interning in the office. We are always happy to provide students with guidance on the application process and more.