A Flurry of Details Complete a Big Professional Picture

Josh Shantzer, Class of 2013

Josh Shantzer’s co-op placement in the Legal Department at Wawa Inc. is challenging him in ways he’s never faced before, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Through the placement, Josh is juggling a broad portfolio of projects involving diverse legal issues, from compliance with fuel standards to employment and real estate matters. He’s also sitting in on arbitrations and company meetings that explore the legal implications of strategic decisions.

“The volume and range of my assignments demand organization and time management as well as a strong work ethic,” Josh said. “I think those traits are common in high-level attorneys, and I’m happy to be able to cultivate them.”

By fielding assignments from the company’s general counsel and six other in-house attorneys, Josh has learned that effective practitioners do not necessarily approach their work in the ways he expected.

“I was under the impression that when in-house counsel negotiated on behalf of prestigious corporations, the tone had to be antagonistic,” he said, observing that Wawa’s attorneys dispelled that notion. “Listening in on negotiations, I was pleasantly surprised to notice how conversational the process could be without compromising the client’s interests.”

And learning over lunch conversations about the career paths they’ve followed has given Josh ideas for launching his own career.

But for the moment, Josh is thrilled to focus on the tasks at hand.

“Every day I learn something new about the profession,” he said.