Maddi Wong, ’28, is spending her summer experience at Apple in the tech hub city, of Cupertino in her home state of California. As a content services legal intern, she’s exploring transactional law in an industry—entertainment—that has long interested her. 

How did you connect with this summer opportunity? 

After discovering a “legal intern” posting, I applied through Apple’s career page. A few months later, a recruiter from Apple’s University Relations team reached out to me, offering an interview for the Content Services team. Since I have a background in entertainment, I was thrilled as this team felt like the perfect fit for me. After interviewing with my current manager and several members of the team, I was offered the position! 

How does your experience connect with what you currently envision doing with your law degree? 

At Apple, I’ve had the opportunity to work with and learn about countless different industries through the services that my team works on: Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Sports, Fitness+, etc.  

Understanding the nuances of copyright and transactional law between different industries has been fascinating, but most importantly, it has helped me narrow down the industries and practice areas that I’m most passionate about pursuing in my legal career. 

Please describe a “typical” day at work. 

After getting settled at my desk and catching up on emails, I’ll meet with different members of Apple legal’s leadership team or attend exciting in-person speaker events. Then, I’ll work on research or business projects with different members of the team each week.  

After grabbing lunch at one of Apple’s many Caffe Macs with my team or fellow legal interns, I’ll draft or redline contracts for one of Apple's upcoming projects and prepare questions or speaking points for my daily 1-on-1 with my manager. I usually end the day with a workout at the Apple Park Fitness Center or partying at one of Apple’s big affinity celebrations! 

What is something you learned or experienced that was surprising or particularly compelling during this summer position? 

I’ve learned a lot about the complexity of international and domestic music publishing law this summer, both from mini classes with my manager and from practice. Now every time I listen to a song, I can't help but think about the layers of rights, royalties, and agreements that exist behind it. It's given me a whole new appreciation for the music I love and the legal frameworks that protect it.  

What are a couple of your key takeaways from the experience so far? 

• Creativity is key. As a lawyer, coming up with creative solutions is just as important as knowing the law itself. Whether that's coming up with airtight contract language to protect your client's interests or spotting potential issues before they become real problems, creativity is overlooked, but a very valuable skill for lawyers. 

• Search for places that value your unique background and authenticity. At least twice a week at Apple, I attend affinity-hosted events. Whether it’s book clubs, discussions about the upcoming SCOTUS term, or World Cup watch parties, I’ve formed bonds with people who share and/or support my intersectionality. It’s so important to find workspaces that celebrate who you are and it’s something I prioritized in my internship search. 

What advice would you offer another law student contemplating working in a similar position next summer? 

When it comes to in-house opportunities, there are absolutely no limits to what industries you can explore. The beauty of in-house is that you sit at the intersection of law and business, which gives you a chance to experience company culture. This experience will help me at my 2L firm, as Apple has provided me with a deeper understanding of a client's world: how they operate, what they prioritize, and how legal decisions impact their business at every level. 

One of my mentors encouraged me to seek out something unique, interesting, and exciting for my 1L summer and I’m so glad that I listened, so I strongly encourage you to apply to all your favorite brands and companies. 

How are you spending your free time this summer? 

I’ve been watching a lot of movies, spending quality time with family, and traveling a lot! I took trips to Boston and Washington DC, and I have trips to Las Vegas and Cincinnati coming up. And since I’m lucky to be back home in the Bay Area for this internship, I’ve been catching up with high school and college friends over some of the best Asian food in the US. 

What are you most looking forward to in returning to UChicago Law this fall? 

This internship solidified my interest in transactional law, specifically in the tech, entertainment, media, and sports industries. As a 2L, with more control over my schedule, I’m very excited to take courses to build on the transactional skills that I developed this summer. 

Additionally, as co-president of Law and Business Society (LBS) and California Law Students Association (CALSA), I’m looking forward to planning a calendar of events that highlights firm and in-house opportunities. I truly enjoyed the guests, conversations, and food during my 1L year so I’m hoping to facilitate a similar experience for this year’s 1L class. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share? 

I’m very thankful to my internship manager, the Content Services Legal Team, and the Apple Internship Program staff. This has been one of the most substantial, unique, and fulfilling summers I’ve ever had and I’ve built bonds here at Apple that will last a lifetime.

I’m also very grateful for my UChicago Law Career Services advisor, Tamara McClatchey, for supporting and encouraging me during my internship searches.