Grace Marchand: Criminal Defense Legal Intern at Hoglund Law

This summer, political science and sociology of law, criminology, and justice undergraduate student Grace Marchand worked at Hoglund Law as a Criminal Defense Legal Intern. Read the below Q&A to learn about Grace's internship experience.

How did you find out about this internship?

I had a friend that mentioned a legal internship she was doing over the summer. After researching the firm and looking over the details of the internship, I decided to apply for a legal intern position! After being offered the position, I specified that I had an interest in criminal defense. I was eventually assigned to their criminal defense department.

What were your primary responsibilities?

I primarily did intake work for the new clients we received. Once someone reached out to Hoglund Law for legal representation, I would gather all of the available evidence for their case. This usually included police reports, bodycam/dashcam footage, interviews, recordings, and/or pictures provided. I would extensively review the evidence and compile a discovery review summarizing the facts of the case and noting any questionable aspects of the case or missing pieces of evidence. Additionally, I often helped our legal assistants contact different county courts to file motions, get case information, or ask questions regarding legal standards.

Were there big projects you worked on?

The biggest project I had the pleasure of working on had to do with a federal trial case the firm had ben working on for several months. The case had mounds of evidence to review and we had a viable, but complicated defense argument. I reviewed the bodycam footage of an officer arresting our client and transcribed their encounters. I was grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to important discussions regarding our firm's defense strategy and take part in gathering crucial evidence.

What did you learn from your internship?

One of my biggest takeaways from this internship is a newfound respect and appreciation for the work of criminal defense attorneys. I watched our attorneys advocate and effectively communicate with clients, craft strategic defense arguments on short notice, and travel across Minnesota and Wisconsin to represent their clients. Clients would call at all hours of the night, and I was inspired by the patience and empathy our attorneys showed. I was also able to witness the inequalities within the criminal justice system. Prosecutors often hold power over defense attorneys regarding favorability, and low income defendants are often looked down upon or treated differently than those of a higher economic status.

What are your future career goals? How did this internship prepare you for this future?

I plan on continuing to explore both the legal and political sides of my degrees. I plan to continue to find professional roles in a variety of legal settings, and this internship was the perfect opportunity to examine the criminal side of our judicial system. In the future, I plan on exploring my interests in government and working for a representative or campaign team!

How have your experiences as a political science student prepare you for your internship?

I have had several social and educational opportunities to prepare for an internship like this. The University of Minnesota's Mock Trial Association has taught me a lot about the complex aspects of the legal system. I've been able to learn about courtroom etiquette, legal terms, and how to form effective arguments through mock trial. These skills have given me a newfound confidence in my legal knowledge. Additionally, I have taken a number of classes, such as Law, Crime, and Punishment and Introduction to American Law and Legal Reasoning, that have given me a familiarity with both the social and formal aspects of law.

How did POL 3080: Internship in Politics or Government enhance your internship experience?

POL 3080 was a helpful way to define the work I was performing week to week. By reading about the history and use of legal practices, I was able to understand how and why Hoglund Law followed certain procedures. I would review sections of my legal studies book assigned for my course; it was extremely beneficial in learning the differences between different types of law, where legal terms originated from, and how proper criminal procedure should be performed.

What advice would you give to other students interested in this type of internship?

If you're interested in the legal field, I highly suggest trying internships such as this to explore the unique aspects of criminal law! Whether you're interested in corporate, property, criminal, or family law, I believe that it is beneficial to learn about the differences between them in any capacity possible.

What else would you add about your experience?

I'm so grateful to have gained some valuable legal experience this summer! If you're contemplating trying something new such as an internship like this one, I recommend going for it! Internships are a great way to learn new skills, expand your horizons, and learn quicly on your feet.