Engineering Background Leads USD Law Student to Practical Legal Experience
This summer, Guntren interned at Sterling Computers where she gained invaluable hands-on experience.
At Sterling, Guntren analyzed and reviewed contracts and other legal documents, researched and drafted policies on employment law issues, provided guidance on the use of company or government agency logos and trademarks and ensured adherence to federal government prohibitions through policy research and drafting.
Guntren found the internship rewarding for the chances it gave her to explore various areas of law that piqued her interest.
“I enjoyed the freedom that I was given to experience a variety of areas of law that I am actually interested in, and that I had a say in the projects I wanted to work on,” said Guntren.
One key lesson Guntren learned in her internship was the importance of attention to detail. “One word can change the entire meaning of a clause, and it is important to pay attention and be thorough,” she said. This careful approach will help her throughout her law school career and beyond.
Through her summer experience, Guntren also honed her skills in legal research and communication. She emphasized the challenge of going through large amounts of information to identify what is truly important, noting that she “learned how to recognize key aspects of legal research and effectively communicate it in an accurate and concise manner.”
A pivotal course that prepared Guntren for her internship was Contract Law with Dean Shirley Mays. The foundation the course provided, combined with her previous role as an engineer at Sterling Computers, helped her secure the internship. “Before coming to law school, I worked as an engineer at Sterling Computers and was able to get connected with Sterling’s in-house Counsel,” she said.
Guntren’s journey from engineering to law was driven by her fascination with Intellectual Property Law and the impact of technology on the legal field. “I started looking at ways I could use my Computer Science degree after I graduated,” she said. “That is where I discovered Intellectual Property Law and how technology is revolutionizing the field of law.”
While her internship gave her insights into the role of In-House Counsel, Guntren remains open to exploring various areas of law.
“I think my internship gave me some really good insight on what an In-House Counsel role looks like,” said Guntren. “I loved the breadth of experience that comes with that role. However, I am still interested in Intellectual Property, but I am open to exploring the other areas of law.”
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