As I prepare for corporate law internships, I have realised that many firms expect students to possess a basic understanding of practical skills such as contract drafting, contract review, due diligence, and legal research. While these skills are frequently mentioned during internship discussions, I often find it difficult to understand the best way to develop them during law school.
Although there are numerous certificate courses that claim to teach these practical skills, I am unsure whether they truly prepare students for real legal work or whether practical exposure through internships is significantly more valuable.
how would you recommend developing practical skills such as drafting, contract review, and due diligence? What learning methods genuinely prepare students for internships, and what role, if any, do certificate courses play in that journey?