Carlie Crenwelge

Patel | Gaines, San Antonio, Texas

How did you get your job and how long have you been there?

I got my job through CORE! I have been working for Patel Gaines since May of 2023.

What do you like most about your job?

There are so many things I like about working at Patel Gaines. I think what I like most is getting to work on new assignments every week and seeing so many sides of the law. All my assignments have also shown me how our firm helps a wide variety of clients. It is especially exciting when letters I draft are sent to clients for review or to opposing counsel.

What is the most challenging part about your job?

I hope to practice in Family Law after law school, so this job has taught me a lot about the procedural and substantive work that goes into it. It also made me feel confident about my chosen field of law. 

How do you think this experience has helped you in your career path? 

This experience has helped solidify my interest to work within the world of business law and has taught me how much a good work environment impacts performance!

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned at this job? 

The most valuable thing I have learned at this job has been that my best friends are (1) Dorsaneo and (2) Texas Codes Annotated by LexisNexis. Being able to research efficiently makes life so much easier! Additionally, when I feel stuck, it helps to take a step back and look at secondary sources for a broader view of the law.

What is the one piece of advice you have for other students? 

One piece of advice I have for other students is, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from your supervisor or ask for guidance from co-workers. While it is important to do your best to work through challenging assignments, it is also good to check in and confirm your time and energy are not misguided. Lastly, I would also recommend applying for jobs that correlate with areas of law that interest you. It can sometimes be hard to find a job that meets all your criteria for the “perfect job” – like the size of the firm, location, pay, etc. But gaining early experience on something that you find fascinating will always be a win!