Mentor First
Law Internships for First Generation College and Law Students
Mentor First is a community-based mentorship program for first-generation and foreign students who want to intern for a hands-on law firm experience. Because of their backgrounds, these mentored interns are uniquely motivated and offer diverse skills to our firm. We are mindful that these students may have unique cultural demands that other students may not have. Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP is proud of our decades-long history of mentoring students during summer and academic semester internships.
To apply for a Mentor First internship: We are accepting resumes. Intern positions are open to college and graduate school students who live in the New York metropolitan area. Please email your resume to David B. Rheingold at: [email protected].
Meet Our Interns
Tasfiya Ahsan
My name is Tasfiya Ahsan, and I’m a junior at Hunter College majoring in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies. I’m active in the Hunter College Pre-Law Program and serve on the Pre-Law Student Advisory Board, where I work with peers passionate about the legal field. My interest in law and advocacy began during my internship with NYS Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas, where I helped constituents with crucial issues like housing and social services, solidifying my commitment to supporting real people through justice.
Currently, I am a Medical Records Specialist intern at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo & Plotkin LLP, focusing on the Camp Lejeune litigation. In this role, I organize and review medical records to support veterans and their families in their fight for justice following health complications due to water contamination. Working on a case with such a profound impact has deepened my dedication to representing those whose voices aren’t always heard.
I’m also involved with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center, supporting immigrant, women, and veteran entrepreneurs to help them succeed. This work, along with my role at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo & Plotkin, aligns with my commitment to justice and advocacy. Looking toward law school, I’m motivated by a strong sense of empathy and integrity, aiming to serve with resilience and a focus on real people’s interests as I continue to grow within the legal field.
I’m incredibly grateful for the mentorship of attorney David B. Rheingold and paralegal Amelia Thorp. Mr. Rheingold’s guidance has introduced me to the complexities of law, from assessing cases to settlement negotiations, while Amelia has shown me the meticulous work involved in case management and evidence gathering. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to learn from such dedicated professionals, whose examples inspire me daily and whose guidance has taught me the profound sense of responsibility and care that true advocacy requires.
Jose De Jesus Sanchez
My name is Jose De Jesus Sanchez and I’m currently a high school student at Midwood High School. I enjoy reading and studying law in my free time as well as history of all sorts. Not only hitting books but also enjoy hitting the field for athletics, both recreational and competitive. I also participate in many clubs in my school.
My time here at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman has been an extremely rewarding experience. Using my language skills, I was responsible for translating existing and future blogs on the firm’s website into Spanish, for many Spanish speaking clients. I also worked on a mass torts case, which helped me further gain exposure into the legal field. As a high school student, I’m extremely grateful to have David Rheingold as a mentor at such a young age. He has taught me invaluable lessons about the law, the importance of research, and the significance of maintaining strong client relationships. As a first-generation student, this opportunity has been especially meaningful for me, providing insights and experiences that are shaping my future aspirations in chasing a career path in law.
Mia Wang
My name is Mia Wang and I am currently a rising sophomore at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) with a minor in Writing. I’m particularly interested in the intersection of law, healthcare, and finance. I am heavily involved at my university, such as being Vice President of the Michigan Pre-Law Society, Project Manager and Consulting Analyst through the Stephen M. Ross School of Business for the Michigan Healthcare Business Club, and a member of Nu Rho Psi, the only nationally recognized honor society in the area of brain research in America.
My internship at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo & Plotkin has been a proud part of my identity, something I’ve always been excited to discuss in my involvement on campus. From my hour-and-a-half commute to NYC everyday, to drafting an entire complaint for the first time, David Rheingold has instilled in me ambition, diligence, and discipline for whatever career I’m pursuing. Working under Mr. Rheingold has not only reinforced and enhanced my passion for law, but allowed me to successfully bridge my interests in medicine, business, and the ethics of the legal world. Being the first person in my family to attend college in the United States, I’ve not only learned aspects of product liability, mass tort litigation, and medical malpractice, but also how to forge connections, develop empathy, and strengthen bonds in my professional career.
I managed a portfolio of mass tort cases valued at over $50 million, overseeing the paperwork and spreadsheets for more than 550 clients. I handled over 50 calls and analyzed over 300 pages of medical reports weekly to ensure effective case management and progression. I drafted weekly complaints for new cases by analyzing legal precedents, statutes, and case details to ensure accuracy and to outline client grievances and legal claims. Additionally, I amended past complaints in response to motions to dismiss and conducted comprehensive legal research to address complex issues such as liability, causation, damages, and express warranty.
Furthermore, I authored blog posts on the firm’s website regarding healthcare policies, which drove a notable 10% increase in user engagement. I also actively participated in court settlements, mediations, and depositions for medical malpractice and product liability cases.
I’d like to thank everyone at the office for such a rewarding summer experience, but I’d like to especially give thanks to David Rheingold, Amelia Thorp, and Ben Pace for their trust in my abilities as a young first year college student.
Alanna Chen
My name is Alanna Chen, and I am currently a junior at Binghamton University. My internship process was during my college winter break, and despite it being short, my experience at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman was an amazing one, to say the least. This being my first experience working at a law firm, I’ve learned so much here that I will take with me on my journey to becoming a lawyer. The staff here were very patient with me, and their continued help and support were very much appreciated. Helping the paralegals with their cases felt extremely rewarding, and this will be an experience I will never forget.
Jade Teriba
My name is Jadesola Teriba, a third-year undergrad at Binghamton University. I am double majoring in Psychology and Philosophy, Politics, and Law, on the pre law track. As the first in my family to pursue law, the internship at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP afforded me some well needed clarity on my path in life. I was able to learn about personal injury and mass tort litigation through various product liability cases. I also performed different legal tasks such as document review, legal research, client communication, and client intake. Giving me the opportunity to immerse myself in the world of a litigator, I learned about what it takes to build a case, and was able to write for the company’s blog. I am extremely grateful for the experience, and for the knowledge Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP was able to give me, and to help support the mass tort cases that are affecting so many individuals’ lives. I am now more confident in my own ability to pursue a career in law, and can walk away from this internship saying I learned something.
Amna Sakandar
My name is Amna Sakandar, I am a second-year undergraduate student at John Jay College pursuing Criminal Justice on a Pre-law track with a minor in Social Innovative Entrepreneurship and law. I plan on graduating early and attending law school right after graduation.
My chance to gain practical experience in the legal area through the Mentor First program is exciting and challenging. Through my internship, I was exposed to mass tort litigation in a number of different areas, including product liability, medical malpractice, and faulty devices, among others. For the company website, I wrote blogs about product liability, flawed technology, and calculating damages. David always provided me with feedback and challenging assignments, allowing me to strengthen my communication, research, and writing skills. I am truly grateful to have been able to experience the knowledge and support of Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP and empowered to utilize my newfound skills on my JD journey.
Ariana M. Teng
My name is Ariana Teng, and I am currently a junior at New York University studying Public Policy with a minor in Economics. I have known since I was younger that I was interested in law and wanted to use my passion to help people. I hope to become a paralegal once I complete my undergraduate degree.
My internship at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman, LLP has helped me explore my interest in mass torts and personal injury. I have had the opportunities to conduct legal research, proofread documents, and write blogs for the firm’s website about current events in product liability. Additionally, the blog has provided an outlet for me to delve deeper into legal issues that I am interested in learning about. The knowledge that I have gained professionally will help me beyond what I’ve learned in my academic experience.
Furthermore, the mentorship I have received from David Rheingold has been invaluable. He has taught me greatly about the litigation process and helped me make excellent connections in the legal field. Not only is it difficult to get your foot in the legal door as an undergraduate, but it is also difficult to find a firm that is experienced and knowledgeable, so I am very grateful to be working with this firm for my first legal internship.
Zubta Chudary
The dedicated mentorship provided by the paralegals and attorneys at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman shaped my experience and provided me with an environment where I felt safe asking questions, making mistakes, and seeking out challenging assignments.
As a rising junior at Hunter College, I hope to graduate in the coming years and take time off before law school to gain more work experience. During my internship, I was able to work closely with paralegals and attorneys, providing me with valuable insight into the kind of work either position is responsible for. My exposure to their responsibilities has helped tremendously in reaffirming my goals for the future.
Throughout the summer, I learned a number of things, ranging from filing complaints and summons to using software systems more efficiently. I was also given the opportunity to write several blogs for the company website, allowing me to cultivate a presence on the internet in a professional capacity.
When I first heard of this position through the Summer Youth Employment Program, I knew I could not pass it up. Since immigrating to the U.S. I have learned the importance of experience and networking, both of which I have amassed in abundance this summer. My time at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman has been more enjoyable and enriching than I had thought possible. I am beyond grateful to have had this opportunity, and I look forward to taking the skills I have learned with me into the next stages of my legal career.
Myranda Zabala
My name is Myranda Zabala, and I am currently in my third year of undergraduate school at John Jay of Criminal Justice. I am majoring in Criminal Justice BS and minoring in Anthropology and Law. After graduation, I plan to attend law school and begin my journey on becoming an attorney. At the moment, I have not settled on what area of law I want to practice, however, I know that I want to dedicate some of my time working with wrongful convictions and work my way to a permanent practice. At John Jay I am a part of the ACE program (Accelerate-Complete-Engage) where one of the requirements is to acquire an internship that would enhance my experience and knowledge in my desired career.
The Mentor First program granted me the opportunity to broaden my skills and knowledge and to be introduced to a different area of law. While interning at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman, I am able to work with different people and/or work diligently in order to complete all tasks. Some of my tasks include contacting clients, managing client files from intake through settlement, completing discovery demands, writing and editing website content, and confidential letters to clients, presenting settlement claim packages, translating documents and any other tasks that are present. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to work with great mentors and I hope to continue to obtain an early exposure to the necessary skills to be a great lawyer in the future.
Stephanie Coyle
My name is Stephanie Coyle and I am currently working towards my master’s degree in Criminal Justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. I completed my undergraduate degree in Sociology with a focus in Criminal Justice at Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts, where I am originally from. Once I complete my master’s, I hope to pursue a career in investigation.
I was matched withRheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman through the mirco internship program at John Jay. Even in such a short amount of time I have learned so much through researching and writing blogs for the firm’s website. This experience has allowed me to write about topics that I am personally passionate about, all while enhancing my writing skills and making valuable connections with other members of the Mentor First program.
Chelsea K. Roman
My name is Chelsea K. Roman and I am currently in my third year of undergraduate school at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. My major is Criminal Justice Bachelors of Science and I also minor in Law. As I attend John Jay, my goal is to prepare myself for the next step in my life, which is law school. I am a Bronx resident and the daughter of two regular hard working parents. My motivation is my family, especially my mother, who migrated to the U.S. from Ecuador for a better life at the age of 12. My lifelong goal is to succeed as a lawyer and make a better life for my family and myself. I was very fortunate when I found the mentor first program at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman Law Firm and was given the opportunity to participate as an intern.
The reason I applied for this program was to gain experience in the legal field and learn more about what could be my future career. I have had a very eye opening experience at this law firm. My days at the firm consisted of hands-on legal work as I filed cases, handled legal documents, spoke to clients, and evaluated the liability of clients. I worked closely with the paralegal Isabella on the Zantac litigation. This experience has helped me get a better understanding of what building a case is like and also what the life of an attorney/paralegal is like. This internship has actually influenced me to consider pursuing a career as an injury attorney. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity as it helped me take one step forward towards my future career.
Tania Santana
I am currently a rising senior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. I am majoring in Forensic Psychology, which is the combination of both law and psychology. Forensic psychologists practice psychology within the criminal justice system and civil courts.
The Mentor First program is an exciting opportunity for me to get hands-on experience in the legal aspect of my career. While interning at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman, I work with different people and learn different practices of law and what it truly takes to build a case. The direct one-on-one mentoring has exposed me in a meaningful way to direct client contact, research and writing of legal blogs, evidence preservation and providing time-sensitive materials to clients and courts. I especially have the pleasure of working directly with David Rheingold and receive constructive feedback on the blog articles I write. This gives me an opportunity to sharpen my writing and research skills.
Mentor First has exposed me to different sides of the legal world I would have never had the chance to experience. I am truly grateful to have interned at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP.
Mahendra Francis
The Mentor First program has given me the opportunity for a hands-on experience in an active litigation firm. As a first-generation college graduate of CUNY – New York City College of Technology, this program has given me a safe and forgiving platform to utilize the legal skills that I had cultivated during the past four years. Since interning atRheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman in April of 2019, I have had the opportunity to work with all the partners and senior paralegals, engaging in a variety of legal tasks, including but not limited to: client intakes, discovery, trial preparation, data entry, case management, etc.
Mentor First has given me the opportunity to have an active and meaningful role in all the different stages of litigation from start to finish. Subsequently, my understanding of the procedural aspects of law has greatly strengthened. This is not the sort of knowledge that can be easily acquired from sitting in a classroom.
Through the Mentor First program, I’m now more insightful to the daily life of a lawyer. I am encouraged by my experience and the support that I have been met with at the firm to continue down my path to becoming a good and responsible lawyer. This is a great program and I would whole-heartedly recommend it to all prospective students.
Brianna D. Gordon
Brianna D. Gordon Currently a rising senior at Temple University, as a Political Science major, I plan to attend law school after the completion of my undergraduate studies. As a first-generation college graduate and the first in my family to pursue law school, the Mentor First internship has granted me an opportunity to enhance my legal skills and be introduced to different areas of the law. The challenging and assignments paired with the dedicated mentorship of the firm, this experience has provided me with valuable insight and knowledge into a career I have always desired to be a part of. From researching and writing legal topics to speaking with clients and processing intakes, my responsibilities have expanded my skill set and have prepared me for a career in law more than ever before. The genuine support from David Rheingold has empowered me to stay and succeed on this path to becoming an attorney and secure justice for those who have been wronged. Despite the pandemic, I am truly grateful to have been able to experience the knowledge and support of Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP and empowered to utilize my newfound skills on my JD journey.
Isabella Novello
I am currently in my second year of undergraduate school at John Jay College of Criminal Justice for pre-law studies. I am majoring in Political Science with a concentration in the court system. The Mentor First program is an exciting and challenging opportunity for me to get hands-on experience in the law field. While interning at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman, I work with different people and learn different practices of law and what it truly takes to build a case. Also, here I am learning the field of law that I may want to pursue after law school. The direct one-on-one mentoring is opening my eyes to more than just code, but a career. While working here, I am exposed in a meaningful way to direct client contact, evidence preservation, preparing legal documents, attending court conferences, evaluating liability for clients, and providing time-sensitive materials to clients and courts. With early exposure to these skills, my career is providing me with a much more expansive immersion into law than classrooms offer.
Joanne Conklin
I am currently going into my second year at New York Law School and the first in my family to attend law school. Over the summer, as a rising 2L, I interned at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP. This internship gave me exposure to mass tort litigation in various fields such as medical malpractice, product liability, defective devices, etc. I wrote blogs for the firm’s website pertaining to product liability, defective devices and calculating damages. I also performed various legal tasks such as document review, legal research, drafting pleadings, release cover letters, notice of withdrawals and more. This was an amazing summer experience which helped further my knowledge on the litigation end of the law and advance my writing and research skills, while also gaining experience in a law firm setting. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to work alongside such experienced lawyers and great mentors.
Camila Lopez
I am a rising third-year law student at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP offered me invaluable experience during the two semesters I interned at the firm. I was able to work on a variety of medical device and pharmaceutical product liability cases.
As a law clerk at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP, I had the opportunity of drafting pleadings and legal memoranda. This internship solidified my interest in product liability, an area I intend to pursue after graduation from law school.
Mona Chen
I am a rising junior at New York University’s Stern School of Business double majoring in Business, with Finance and Economics concentrations, and History. As the first in my family, including my parents and older siblings, to attend college, I have always been highly driven. However, my internship at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP has helped me feel a renewed sense of purpose by solidifying my intention to pursue law school and a career in the legal field. The mentorship I have received from David Rheingold and his paralegals has been a great source of strength and inspiration for me. In addition, I appreciate this opportunity to support mass torts litigations that affect the lives of so many people who have suffered from defective medical devices and dangerous drugs. My internship at this firm has truly been an infinitely rewarding experience.
Kelsey Gittler
I am currently a second-year law student at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and first member of my family to attend law school. As a rising 2L, I’ve learned about many aspects of law including legal writing, research, and analysis but I was still intimidated by the field. David, Morris, and the other attorneys at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP have given me the opportunity to put my newly developed skills to the test by aiding in Medical Malpractice, Drug/Device, and Food Fraud litigation, all of which have advanced my legal knowledge significantly. This internship has also allowed me to pursue my interest in health law by handling health and medical based litigation on a case-by-case basis. After a summer of interning for Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP, I’ve already noticed an improvement in my research and writing skills while being challenged to conduct extensive research and write legal memos. Ultimately, this internship has helped me validate the type of law I want to practice- mass tort litigation and I am no longer intimidated but excited to continue my journey. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to work with great mentors and hope to return next summer.
Giselle Cornejo
I am currently a Psychology major at Baruch College and am intending to go to law school. As a first generation college, I learned a lot about dedication and determination from my parents, but when I decided to pursue a law career, I lacked knowledge about that field. Mentor First gave me the opportunity to interact with experienced lawyers and learn more about the legal field. Compared to my previous internships, Mentor First is a more hands on, learning experience that has provided me with valuable insight into the legal profession. More importantly, I get to work directly with David Rheingold and receive constructive feedback on the blog articles I write. In addition, I also have the opportunity to hone my writing and research skills as well as work alongside paralegal and lawyers. Mentor First has exposed me to different facets of the legal world I would have never had the chance to experience. I am truly grateful to have interned at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP.
Edwin Kim
I am currently a second year student at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and the first member of my family to attend Law School. I chose the Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP Mentor First position to get substantive experience in litigation, an area of practice I eventually would like to practice in. David Rheingold and the staff at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP have taken active efforts to ensure I receive meaningful legal training. Specifically, David aimed to give constructive feedback on all the assignments I have completed. The mentor first program at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP is great for minorities, as it provides us with opportunities that are generally not available, due to ethnic barriers and lack of connections. However, David has openly welcomed me to his world. This has included legal conferences where I met students and lawyers with diverse backgrounds.
Andre Ambrose
During the summer of 2016, I was fortunate enough to intern at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman. Being the first in my family to attend law school, I had no one to turn to for advice on the steps that I should take as I begin my legal career. The lawyers at the firm were there for me whenever I had questions or whenever I needed help understanding a case or a legal concept, and they also gave me some good advice that will help me going forward. Their Mentor First program was exactly what I needed at this point in my career and I am glad that I was able to be a participant. I had direct contact with a firm’s founding partner, David Rheingold, as well as associates like Morris Dweck, both of whom gave me invaluable insight on the practice of law. I have friends and classmates from other cultural backgrounds that are lucky enough to have a parent or another family member who has experience in the legal field and are able to lend a helping hand or provide guidance when needed. I felt that I was at a disadvantage because of this and I was in need of a mentor. With Mentor First, I had someone who could help guide me in the right direction and help to give me a better understanding of what I will be facing as I embark on this journey.
Ashley G. Roberts
I am a first generation college student at New York University obtaining a pre-law major. I’m of Puerto Rican heritage and had no experience living in a giant city, let alone working in a professional office. The Rheingold philosophy of “mentoring” as opposed to simple “interning” offered a multifaceted approach. I quickly acclimated to my new world with help from the lawyers at the office. In return, I feel a deeper involvement with the firm’s clients, many of whom are Spanish-speaking and just as intimidated of the legal world as I once was. I’ve been working with Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP for well over a year now, and my responsibilities have steadily grown. To this day, I haven’t found a firm that cares about it me as much as they do, and it constantly motivates me to become a lawyer.
Isabella Ganpat
I am a first-year law student at The George Washington University Law School. I am of Latino descent and the first woman in my family to graduate from college and pursue an advanced degree. Prior to entering law school, I sought opportunities to gain exposure to the legal field. Interning at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP (Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP) was an invaluable experience early in my career. I worked closely with supervising attorneys and contributed in a hands-on manner. I also worked closely with clients, managed litigation files, and assisted in the preparation of legal documents. In addition to the tremendous work exposure, David Rheingold and the Partners have an open-door policy, which allows them to establish close working relationships with the staff and to provide continuous guidance and mentorship. My experience at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP strongly influenced my decision to pursue law school and I am certain the skills I developed while working there have contributed to my ongoing success. My time at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP was more than a typical internship; Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP treated their staff and interns as part of their family and you always felt you were contributing to a greater cause. The relationships I developed at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP have withstood the test of time and distance.
Queenie Cheng
I am currently a Legal Studies student at St. John’s University. Previously, I was a Physician Assistant major at my educational institution. However, I have come to realize my true passion in law. I come from a Chinese cultural background and was raised by parents who were not financially capable of furthering their education at their respective times. Due to the fact that they did not receive a higher education themselves, it was difficult for them to provide me with the educational guidance into my college life and career path. As a first generation college student, I believe that it is important for me to become the change in my family and pursue a higher education. My future is not determined by my family’s educational and financial situation. My life is in my own hands and I am given a world of opportunities without bounds. I am truly thankful to be given the opportunity to obtain invaluable experience early on in my career as a legal intern at Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman, LLP. As I worked closely with the attorneys, paralegals and interns, I was able to receive a significant amount of legal training. Mr. David Rheingold took me under his wing and introduced me to the world of legal professions. What I love about the Mentor First Internship is that it widened my range of connections and enabled me to meet people of different backgrounds. Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman, LLP, became my second home where I could develop as a professional alongside others who share legal interests.
