About Disney Legal Internships
Internships are offered by several legal departments around the company. These include the Disney Channel, Customer Research, Brand Protection, Global Theme Parks, Global Privacy, Interactive, Labor Relations, Marvel and Lucasfilm Entertainment subsidiaries. Interns will conduct research and analysis and assist with ongoing projects. Interns may work on a range of projects – such as drafting summaries on relevant case law and specific industry group reports or conducting research on issues like copyright ownership for broadcasters, channel operators, producers, animation studios and video game software developers. The tasks may be technical and may require a legal background or training . Interns have contributed to physical and digital archives at the Disney Channel, assembling and cataloguing a range of historical materials and other internal documents. Disney theme parks serve as a unique opportunity for consideration of issues spanning a variety of areas of law, including intellectual property, media and labor. Communications teams support the development of original TV series for ABC and cable nets like Freeform, supporting the ordering and production of scripted comedies and dramas, limited series, movies and other original programming. Secretarial interns also contribute to the firm by performing essential administrative tasks.
Applying for Disney Legal Internships
The application process for a coveted Disney legal internship requires careful attention and adherence to the guidelines set by the company. It is important to trea each step of the process with the seriousness such an opportunity entails. Much like other prominent studios in Hollywood, Disney requires all applications and materials to be submitted electronically through their employment website. Make sure to review the requirements for each internship position as additional documentation may be required. Interns are selected on a rolling basis, so applying early is strongly encouraged. Applications are accepted starting in January, with internship slots typically filled by March of that calendar year. If that timeline is too short for your current schedule, Disney also offers internship opportunities during the summer and fall seasons. The interview process is similarly competitive. The most qualified candidates are selected for interviews, usually via video or phone conference. It is essential to prepare for these interviews much like you would for an in-person interview, and be ready to discuss your coursework and previous experiences in a relevant way. The key to a successful application is to follow all the requirements and do your best to communicate why you should be chosen as the intern for that particular role.
Qualifications and Skills Required
Currently enrolled in an accredited JD program (preferably a rising 2L or 3L) and have an interest in intellectual property and/or the entertainment industry. Good writing and research skills. Familiarity with Entertainment, Intellectual Property, Trademark and Copyright laws desirable.
Perks of a Disney Legal Internship
Of all of the summer law firm internship options, a Disney legal internship is where most entertainment lawyers would love to be. Although it is widely known that you must capitalize on networking opportunities at law school, being in the Los Angeles area provides first year law students with plenty of opportunities to network and meet others in the industry. For most, Disney itself seems to be a dream job for many ambitious law students, who graduate from even top law schools and try and find a way into a firm that either represents Disney or represents others in this ever-growing industry. Due to the fast-paced nature of the business, the chance to work with other qualified interns and attorneys gives a person hoping for a career in this field a lot of experience that can transfer into what they will do down the line. One of the most well-regarded in-house legal departments in the world, working as a summer intern allows interested parties to specialize in industrial relations; business affairs, civil and facilities matters; intellectual property and licensing matters; and labor, employment and employee benefits matters. Even though most law school internships do not necessarily require you to have legal experience initially, Disney legal internships last 10 weeks and therefore provide you with a chance to get real world work experience in an area in which you are interested. This opportunity is unique, especially for someone who is seeking to work in entertainment law, because most internships do not provide that opportunity. As a result, working at Disney during the summer gives you an up close look at the type of legal work you will be involved in should you obtain a position at a firm once law school is completed.
Hurdles and Learning Opportunities
Particularly in your 1L summer, you will be faced with challenges you have never encountered before. You’ll already be thrown into a whole new world (pun intended!) of law. I have had students tell me that they experienced culture shock in their first couple of months of law school, and Disney can be no different. You may be starting your career in an office of 30-40 interns like you or one of 200 or more.
Starting a legal internship is particularly daunting. I have experienced some 1L friends and peers genuinely feeling unqualified for their internship to the point that they don’t speak much because they don’t want to expose how inexperienced and unqualified they (think they) are. Often, these interns never had the chance to do an internship in the office so they have no idea what is expected. I want you to know that you are qualified. Know that you are in a room with other interns who are just as new and nervous as you are. Yes, you might be the intern doing the random research, but sometimes that’s the most important part of the project. You will still be able to participate fully in meetings and other conversations. The best thing to do here is to be yourself. It is always true that most people enjoy spending time with people who are confident in themselves , rather than trying to "put on a front" or act like someone you think you should be or already are; at least if you’re not trying to get promoted. Some of the best friends I have made during my time at Disney are interns, and I truly see myself in each of them.
You will encounter new ways of thinking, acting, and working. You should find the things that work for you and maintain a balanced life without losing your job over it. Your health is very important. I cannot tell you how many events and outings I have missed because I was sick over my three years.
There may be projects that seem like busy work. The trick is to not regard any substantive work as "busy," but rather to view all of it as experience. Even if you do not understand the value of a project at the time or even years later, just know that someone needed it done. Sometimes, you even receive opportunities you didn’t think you were qualified for. I was given plenty of projects for supervisors who had forgotten the intern in the room. Once that happens, prove them wrong and show them why they should never forget they have you there.
Above all, you will learn that you are not alone. Sometimes you may feel like you are, but know that there are plenty of resources available to you, including the Disney intern community.
Future Career Paths After an Internship
Disney legal interns have a solid foundation on which to build their careers, thanks to the experience and exposure they gain as part of the team. Approximately half of Disney’s lauded Securities team was once a Disney legal intern, with one of us at least serving on the team from 2003 to 2017 (for longer than I care to admit). There is also another member of the Securities team and a member of the Corporate office IP NAB team who were previously legal interns with Disney. One of our own, Thomas Morris, was hired after his internship for a position that is now called "transactional analyst" in Corporate Services.
Of course, Disney seeks law school interns from all over the country, so there are former interns from other Disney segments or geographic locations that we haven’t yet had the opportunity to work with who are now working in private firms or public agencies across the nation. Disney does not guarantee a position after internship, but a number of interns have been hired back in their departments or elsewhere within the company.
Interns also leave with a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be applied to any future legal position or job in the wide variety of fields available within and outside the corporation.
Past Interns Speak: Testimonials
"Getting the opportunity to speak with Disney General Counsel Alan Braverman as a guest speaker at a class-oriented event and sitting across the table from Disney Senior Counsel Jennifer Sutherland during a legal writing competition interview reminded me why I decided to work at a company and practice law."
— Our guest intern, 3L Ordway, who was selected as the winner of the 2017 Weißer Fellowship in Entertainment Law
"During my internship I received a great deal of attention and guidance from not just one mentor but multiple Disney attorneys. My assignments were incredibly varied and challenging, and my mentors were always willing to allow me to tackle the complex issues that arose in their cases."
— Anonymous, 2L, University of Southern California School of Law, Los Angeles, California
"From the time I applied, throughout the interview process, and on through the internship itself, Disney stepped it up. The firm selection, the firm dinner, the office tour, the breakfast meeting, the actual office, the people."
— Anonymous, 2L, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
"Everyone I worked with was both extremely talented and a down-to-earth person. Even though my work was primarily transactional and on a lot of IP issues, I found that everyone was accessible and definitely willing to help me learn."
— Anonymous, 2L, UCLA School of Law, Los Angeles, California
"I can enthusiastically say that interning at Disney has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my law school career."
— Guest internship application essay, 1L, South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas
"The people were genuine and helpful. The people I worked with at the firm were approachable, friendly, and wanted to help. I really felt like I was a part of their team and I loved working in the same Orlando office as other Disney attorneys (not just in the employment law group). There were a few younger attorneys (like me) in other groups that I had lunch with every week and we’d talk about law school, internships, legal practice, etc. That experience was invaluable."
— Anonymous, 3L, University of Chicago Law, Chicago, Illinois
Tips for Success in Disney Legal Internships
Take ownership of your assignments. Disney has a wide range of legal departments, both with lots of substantive work, and outside council retained for various matters. Many of the summer internships are in these outside counsel offices, so know that you are likely to have real, substantive, legal work throughout your summer.
Interns are given a lot of responsibility. In many cases, interns sit in on meetings (even given speaking parts) and are expected to contribute. This is not to intimidate you, but to give you an idea of the hands-on experience you will get. Be ready to contribute.
Follow up on your assignments. Interns have reported getting the kinds of assignments where you do background research on a specific issue, and then get asked to convert that research to a PowerPoint or presentation. You want to ask about office protocols for turning in work product . Do they want it emailed or printed? Do you need to write a memo to file (and in what form)? You want to make sure you double-check that you are on the right track and meet expectations. You don’t want to waste your time doing something the "long way" if the firm does not require that.
Check in with your internship supervisor regularly. This may be a specific partner you are working under or the head of the internship program at the firm. Let this fellow know how you are doing and being used, and what you would like to do more of.
Keep a diary of your work and accomplishments. You will forget about the little accomplishments without these. This will also help you get a nice recommendation letter that is specific to your work.
Ask if you can attend any hearings, depositions, or meetings. This will give you the most realistic picture of the work of the substantive department you’re working with.