Summer Job Diaries: Internship at Lewis Brisbois Gives 3L Front-Row Seat to Appellate Practice

Ani Zakaryan ’27’s legal writing skills received a major boost this summer at Lewis Brisbois, where she worked in the firm’s consumer warranty division. Zakaryan was tasked with drafting motions, discovery responses, and more, giving her not only exposure but practical experience in the kinds of writing she’ll be doing regularly as a practicing attorney once she graduates next year.

How did you land your summer job?

I landed my summer job through a combination of networking and a formal application process. I first connected with a partner at Lewis Brisbois through a mutual friend, and networking with them gave me a real sense of the firm’s culture. When the position was later posted on 12twenty, I applied formally and went through the full application and interview process.

What is the most interesting part of your job?

The most interesting part of my job has been the exposure I’ve gained throughout the program. From being trusted to draft and serve motions to getting to witness oral arguments at the California Court of Appeal, it has all been a remarkable experience. Being given meaningful responsibility and a front-row seat to appellate practice this early in my career has been invaluable.

What has been your most challenging assignment thus far?

My most challenging assignment was to draft the introduction to the reply of a motion for judgement on the pleadings (MJOP) response. The partner gave me free rein to be creative and write in my own voice, which made it difficult because the introduction frames the entire brief. Having been tasked with finding a voice that was persuasive but still credible to a judge was a difficult balance.

What new legal skill have you acquired during your summer job?

A new legal skill I acquired during my summer job was learning how to properly draft motions – not just structuring them correctly, but also knowing which facts are essential to include and how to frame persuasive arguments that resonate with what judges are actually looking for. Understanding how to build a motion that is both factually complete and genuinely persuasive has been the biggest step forward in my legal writing.

What bit of legal knowledge have you been able to display?

The legal knowledge I leaned on most this summer came straight out of my legal research and writing class. That course gave me a strong foundation in how to write clearly, structure an argument, and support my points with authority. Whether I was drafting written discovery responses or working on motions, I had a solid basis for good legal writing to build from. Seeing how directly that classroom foundation translated into real filings was one of the most rewarding parts of the summer.

How has Loyola helped you map your career path?

Loyola has helped me map my career path by exposing me to a breadth of options and opportunities. The alumni network at Loyola and the community of professors have allowed me to connect with graduates practicing in fields I’m curious about. Equally as important, I’ve learned from professors who genuinely invest in where their students are headed and offered guidance when I wasn’t sure which direction to take. As a result, I’ve gone from feeling uncertain about my path to having a much clearer sense of the kind of lawyer I want to become.