Kaila Coleman: Certified Intern with Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C.

April 2, 2025

“I am amazed by how much faith people will put in you when they have a problem,” Kaila Coleman shared her thoughts after nine months as a certified intern with Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C.

The firm does not implement a formulaic internship program, which has allowed Kaila to interact with multiple attorneys and demonstrate her abilities beyond the research in which she is proficient.

“I’m able to talk directly with clients and see where my research is being used, in answers and motions.  Recently, I’ve been asked to be second seat in a trial.  Seeing the results of my work product feels good.  I know I’m doing something that matters.”

As much as Kaila has been able to benefit from her intern experience, the attorneys appreciate working with her, relying on her while distilling decades of experience into teaching moments to ensure that she can support them effectively.

“We value and nurture our interns’ experiences because we hope that they can become associates of the firm one day” said Greg Pepe, founding member of Neubert, Pepe & Monteith.

Thanks to the internship, Kaila is able to understand why the attorneys would follow one strategy over another.

“In law school, I found that doctrinal language — legal theory — surrounded me but in the ‘real world,’ its civil procedural language that dominates, which shows me how what I learned in school is applied in the real world.”

Kaila acknowledges that her mental image of life in a legal office was like that of most people.  “This isn’t as glamorous as it is in the movies.  We spend a lot of time reading or writing emails and on the phone with clients as we figure out all the pieces of the puzzle.  But even when the work appears to be somewhat routine, I’m impressed by the respect attorneys here show for the problems we address.  Someone’s life has been impacted by a situation and they’re counting on us to help them.  The culture at Neubert, Pepe & Monteith keeps me mindful of that.”

The internship has reinforced her decision to follow a legal career and reminds her every day that she loves this type of work.

“I know I want personal interactions with clients to be part of my workday.  Research is good but I want to connect with clients and fellow attorneys.  I find that sense of community to be very supportive.  I’m not afraid to ask questions, to say I don’t know but want to learn, or to take on more responsibility.”

Attorney Jane E. Ballerini, principal with the firm, commented, “As one of NPM’s earliest interns from Quinnipiac Law school, I know how much the experience working at NPM helped guide my career — and was one of the reasons I came back as a first year associate after graduation.  The NPM team does our best to give our interns a ‘real attorney life’ experience so they can try out multiple areas of the law without the commitment or risks associated with any one practice area.”

Fellow attorneys have filled in the blanks, able to provide a perspective that gives Kaila an appreciation for practice areas that previously didn’t interest her.  “I’m learning more about the practical application of real estate and property law.”

She’s also learned that her coworkers have preferences, just as she does.  “One attorney likes to work on paper rather than digitally.  Once, I forgot to save the work in the proper place online, which left a paralegal a little lost when changes were needed.

“The internship has delivered basic experiences of working within a private business, like how to keep information both safe and accessible, as well as an understanding of how the law can impact us on a daily, even hourly basis.  The law is changing and growing constantly, and I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who spend time with me, putting their faith in me as I help them in a way that is truly rewarding.”

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