405 Lafayette Street, Newark NJ 07105   973-928-1204   info@serratellilaw.com

The Serratelli Law Firm started its Legal Internship Program back in 2009. It was not initially planned, but started when a lot of people started reaching out to the firm asking to help friends or friends of friends get some legal experience.

In the current job market for lawyers and legal professionals, it is often very difficult for even the best students and applicants to get their first experience and find jobs in their field. Many individuals seem to always be looking, but have a difficult time finding anything to apply for that doesn’t require prior legal experience or at least experience working in a professional environment and many students do not have experience in either.

We are very pleased that what originated as a favor or two to help friends get some experience has developed into a very popular and successful internship program that is still going strong in 2019. Several of The Serratelli Law Firm’s past interns are now practicing attorneys, several are in law school and everyone who has kept an open line of communication is doing well and we are proud of them all.

Over the years there have been a lot more applicants making it a lot more competitive however the firm takes pride in the fact that we often give individuals we select their first practical legal experience. Many times, not only is it a selected applicant’s first legal experience.

We encourage anyone interested to apply; we do not have any strict requirements as we feel every individual has something to offer, however we are very selective. We look for individuals with a strong desire to learn, who may be considering or attending law school but more importantly honest people who are trustworthy and loyal.

We enjoy giving opportunities and mentoring students who have the potential, but are unique and in some cases may be looked at as underdogs who may have a tough time getting their first comparable experience elsewhere. While it is not required, The Firm usually works with a school so that the intern can earn credits.

In the past we have had interns who attended, Montclair State University, New York Law School, Rutgers University (both Newark and New Brunswick), Fairleigh Dickinson University, Penn State, William Paterson University the local Community Colleges (Passaic, Essex, Hudson and Morris), Seton Hall Law School, Pace Law School, Sacred Heart University, Quinnipiac University William Paterson University, Kean University just to name a few.

Doing the internship in conjunction with a program at school further enhances their training and the experience as a whole. We are always looking for good candidates for the Spring and Fall semesters, as well as the Summer. Interviews are usually conducted a few weeks to a month before each semester and summer; however we are open to conducting interviews by appointment all year round for serious and ambitious applicants who need an opportunity.

Below are some of our former interns’ thoughts about the internship, as well as some other information, such their experience before, during and after the internship, their school and their own personal thoughts and experience with the firm.

Former Interns look back on their experience with The Serratelli Law Firm:

Pete Dowitzer, Esq.
(Legal Intern at The Serratelli Law Firm, Summer 2009)
Current Attorney at Law, admitted in NY & NJ, General Counsel, Family Real Estate Business

I secured my internship at the Serratelli Law Firm in the summer of 2009 as a second year law student. I started the internship without having had any previous practical legal experience. Procuring this internship proved to be incredibly helpful as it allowed me to gain valuable knowledge and experience by working in a law office of an attorney who practices various areas of the law. This includes matters such as bankruptcy, family law and immigration as well criminal law matters such as drug offenses, DUIs and homicides. Interning for the Serratelli Law Firm gave me the opportunity to get practical hands-on experience in these various areas of the law by going to federal, county and municipal courts and assisting Danny with the cases he was handling at the time.

Working at the Serratelli Law Firm was a valuable and enjoyable experience as Danny is a great teacher who will mentor you throughout the entire internship. During the internship I was given an appropriate amount of responsibility for a legal intern. The work was substantive and at times challenging but this was never an issue as Danny is very friendly and approachable and was always there to assist me with any questions I had. Whether we were in court or interacting with clients, Danny always provided me with proper guidance and made sure to involve me in the process and made sure I understood each aspect.

Danny is an excellent attorney who does an outstanding job representing his clients’ interests as well as helping legal interns learn the skills of the trade. He is trustworthy, honest, professional and ethical. To this day, I consider him to be a trusted colleague and a very good friend and he is someone who always makes himself available if I need advice or recommendations.

Today I am a practicing attorney admitted in the states of New Jersey and New York and for the last few years I have worked as general counsel for my family’s real estate business. The internship at the Serratelli Law Firm has without a doubt helped me in becoming an effective and proficient attorney. It taught me valuable and useful legal skills which all attorneys need to practice their profession. I would highly recommend this opportunity to any law student.

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Danielle Dujon
(Legal Intern at The Serratelli Law Firm, 2011)
Present Employer: Regulatory Associate – Capital One

My time spent interning at the Serratelli law firm helped me to sharpen my soft skills and correspond with a variety of Danny’s clients.

My internship was the peak of my paralegal certificate program at MSU and under Danny’s leadership, I was able to expand my skill set and springboard my legal career to the next level. Danielle Dujon- Regulatory Associate- Capital One

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Cherisse Chavez
(Legal Intern, The Serratelli Law Firm, 2011)
Current Position: Immigration Paralegal at The Law Office of Gustavo N. Fuentes, 2013-present)

I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to work with Daniel Serratelli. As his intern I assisted in scheduling appointments with clients, translating conversations from Spanish to English, and recording transactions.

I became proficient in QuickBooks and Microsoft during this time. I gained knowledge in areas of criminal, civil, and immigration law. Through this internship, I obtained college credits and ultimately acquired a full time position with Mr. Serratelli’s associate, Immigration lawyer, Gustavo Fuentes. Mr. Serratelli is an exceptional mentor. It was an honor to work with him.

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Megan Peraino
(Legal Intern at The Serratelli Law Firm, Summer, 2012)
Quinnipiac University, BA, Criminal Justice, 2013
Current Position: Paralegal at Community Preservation Corporation, New York, NY.

My name is Megan Peraino, I’m 27 years old and I’m currently working as a paralegal for a non-profit organization that handles financing for affordable housing.

I graduated from Quinnipiac University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2013. During the summer of 2012, in between my junior and senior years of college, I interned for the Serratelli Law Firm. The internship was valuable to me and my career because it was extremely hands on. Daniel Serratelli was very communicative and a great mentor. He went out of his way to thoroughly explain the overall context of my tasks so I could gain a genuine understanding of the cases that I was working on.

I was subsequently able to utilize the information and skills that I learned at my following internship with the state of Connecticut’s probation office. Upon graduating from Quinnipiac University in 2013, I was hired as a legal secretary at Sullivan & Cromwell in New York, NY. In March of 2014, I was hired as a litigation paralegal at the law firm of Darger, Errante Yavitz & Blau in New York, NY. As of November 2018, I am now a paralegal at Community Preservation Corporation in New York, NY.

My internship with Daniel Serratelli gave me hands-on experience which can be rare with legal internships, and I know I can always count on him as a valuable and dependable reference. His growing reputation in the industry ensures you that your internship with him will make your resume stand out. If you are an individual with a strong interest in the legal field and are looking for an exciting, substantive, worthwhile internship, I would strongly encourage you to contact the Serratelli Law Firm.

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Adriana Alvarado
(Legal Intern at The Serratelli Law Firm, Fall 2012)
Current Position: Immigration Paralegal at The Law Office of Gustavo N. Fuentes, 2013-present

Danny Serratelli hired me as his intern late 2012. During this time I was able to work hands-on with multiple types of cases such as divorces, bankruptcies, and various municipal and superior court cases. Mr. Serratelli was an exceptional mentor. I gained valuable experience interacting with his clientele and with court personnel.

Within months of my internship at The Serratelli Law Firm, I was hired as a full-time immigration paralegal by his associate, Mr. Gustavo Fuentes. I have been gainfully employed by the Law Offices of Gustavo N. Fuentes for 6 years. I have witnessed many undergraduate and graduate students successfully intern for Mr. Serratelli. I am able to confidentially state that Mr. Serratelli is a genuine, caring, knowledgeable mentor always willing to help his interns achieve their professional goals.

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Jessica Tiburcio
(Legal Intern at The Serratelli Law Firm, Spring, 2013)
Current Position, Paralegal in a government position

My first legal experience was as an intern for The Serratelli Law Firm in 2013 while I was finishing my bachelor’s degree in criminal Justice at Rutgers University. It was a wonderful experience and made me even more certain that I wanted to pursue a career in criminal justice.

I truly appreciate the confidence Danny showed in me. Danny is a very knowledgeable attorney and teaches you the law in a way that is easy to understand. I was able to find a job at another law firm nearby within a few months thanks to all the experienced I gained at the Serratelli Law Firm.

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Kaitlyn Marley
(Legal Intern at The Serratelli Law Firm, Summer 2013)
Current Position: Business Immigration Paralegal, Ogletree, Deakins, Austin Texas

My name is Kaitlyn and I worked for attorney Daniel Serratelli during the summer of 2013. This was my first internship in law and has helped pave the way for me in a career in immigration law.

After working in NYC for a few years as a paralegal for boutique immigration law firm, I now work for Ogletree Deakins in Austin Texas as a business immigration paralegal.

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Stephanie Rodriguez
(Legal Intern at the Serratelli Law Firm, 2013-2014)
Rutgers graduate working full time

My first experience with a law firm was interning at the Serratelli Law Firm from August 2013 to May 2014. Dan provided me with all of his expertise and knowledge of the legal field ranging from Criminal matters to Civil. His way of teaching allowed for me to have a full hands on experience that further nurtured my abilities to work in a team environment as well as independently, which is integral in any professional work setting.

Working for and alongside Dan taught me valuable skills that to this day I utilize in all aspects of life. Dan is truly “the fight lawyer”; his integrity, honesty and willingness to help everyone around him make him not only a great attorney but an even better friend and mentor.

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Anthony Montano
(Legal Internship, 2013)
Current position: Employed full time by The Serratelli Law Firm 2014-2019

My name is Anthony Montano; I’ve been working at the law firm for five years now. I started as an intern for Mr. Serratelli in 2013-2014. When I first started I didn’t have any previous legal experience. My past jobs were all random but Mr. Serratelli decided to take a chance on me.

I was a college graduate, but really wanted to get work experience in my field. I worked as an unpaid intern for what seemed like longer than a semester, but it paid off. Mr. Serratelli got to know me and we became close, he told me if I made the firm need me, they would be forced to hire me and, I must have done it because eventually I got hired.

I’ve learned a lot and gained an extended family. There are three attorneys and four other paralegals in our office and we all treat each other like family. I come from a tight family and the law office provides that exact same feeling. I’m thankful for everything Mr. Serratelli has done for me over these past few years and wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Issayana Munoz
(Legal Intern, 2014-2015)
(Employed part time by the firm, 2015-2016)

My name is Issayana Munoz and my first ever legal experience was as an intern for the Serratelli Law Firm in 2014 until 2016. While I was a student in Rutgers, New Brunswick, I obtained school credit for this time and it taught me far more than any class would have.

Let me tell you honestly it was the best most hands on experience of my life. Dan teaches you so much in such a different way then ways that other attorneys would never take the time to.. He genuinely cares about you and you will always have a friend and attorney (which is always GREAT) in him always!

From the internship I have gained so much experience in criminal matters, as well as civil. That has proven to be so valuable in my career as I have worked for private firms, that handle large contracting companies, and most recently I am a Paralegal for an immigration non-profit- legal services.

I have used every single bit of experience from the internship in every job I have obtained thus far and my first legal experience with Dan has proven to the most VALUABLE experience and skills I have obtained to date. Dan is the most caring, trustworthy, attorney I have ever met and I am so happy he picked me and has taught me all he did, and for that I could never repay him.

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Vanessa Gomez
(Legal Intern, The Serratelli Law Firm, 2016)
Current Employment: Law Office of Gustavo Fuentes, 2017-present

I had the great opportunity to work with Attorney, Dan Serratelli and Paralegal, Anthony Montano. I was in my junior year at Fairleigh Dickinson University when I came across an ad for an internship position at The Serratelli Law Firm. I have learned so much about family, traffic, and criminal law while at the same time being able to gain school credit.

Throughout the internship I have worked closely with clients and have gained more knowledge about the law. Experiencing first-hand how to draft documents such as letters of representation, ready-hold letters, and letters of adjournment has helped me better understand the meaning of each document. I have also been introduced with some aspect of immigration law throughout my time with the internship such as what a work permit authorization is and how certain crimes or violations can affect an immigrant’s status here in the United States.

My experience at The Serratelli Law Firm has been one that I would never forget. I am glad that Dan and Anthony took a chance on me. I have learned a tremendous amount about several aspects of the law in several months and I still continue to learn now that I am currently employed as a legal assistant with in the same building by immigration attorney, Dan’s great friend, Gustavo Fuentes.

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Talar Sahagian
(Legal Intern for The Serratelli Law Firm, Fall 2015)
JD Candidate 2021 | Suffolk University Law School

My first ever legal experience was at the Serratelli Law Firm during my 2015 fall semester, where I earned school credit at my undergraduate university, Montclair State University. Interning with Dan was a valuable experience which confirmed my interest in the field of law.

The experience you get at this office is unlike other firms. Dan is willing to help you learn new skills, which are unfamiliar to you as a first time intern, while simultaneously teaching you the ins and outs of a law firm.

He allows you to get hands on with the business, encouraging your input – to let you know that you are part of the team. Dan helped lay the foundation down for my legal educational journey, which allowed me to work at a private firm just one year later. More recently, I am now a 1L student at Suffolk University Law School in Boston, MA. I am truly grateful for the experience and opportunity I had at the Serratelli Law Firm.

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Nicole M. Bazalar
(Legal Intern, Summer 2018)
Current a student at Sacred Heart University ‘19
Criminal Justice and Psychology Double Major
College of Arts and Sciences
Sacred Heart Women’s Rugby
Delta Zeta- Pi Tau, Parliamentarian
Vice President- SAAC E Board

My name is Nicole Bazalar, and I had the opportunity to intern for the Serratelli Law Firm in the summer of 2018. I am currently enrolled as a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology at Sacred Heart University.

Personally, the idea of being an attorney never crossed my mind until I found this internship. It was definitely hands down one of the best learning experiences I have ever had. It gave me the opportunity to get hands on with cases, talking to clients, courthouses, obtaining legal papers etc.

As an intern, one usually thinks they will do the bare minimum, but Dan gives you the chance to show the firm your skill sets and learn new skills along the way. Dan takes time to teach us himself which something is that isn’t seen often in internships, especially with lawyers at Law Firms. I have gained so much experience out of this internship, my interest in the law side in the criminal justice system has grown and now the idea of becoming a Paralegal or even going to law school is a possibility.

Due to this experience, I was able to obtain another internship which I am currently in with the Department of Corrections. It is amazing to see one side of the system and then use the knowledge that was learned and enforce it in a different branch.

This internship was such a beneficial experience and I am so glad I was able to go through it with Dan and his firm. I feel blessed to have been given this opportunity and hope the interns after me are able to participate and take away all the knowledge I did, and maybe even more.

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Anyone interested in applying is always encouraged to apply by sending a resume along with why you think you would be a good fit for the internship, which may or may not be a formal cover letter to Dan@Serratellilaw.com, and call the office 973-928-1204.