This summer, Syracuse Law students are gaining hands-on experience at firms, courts, and organizations across the country. Over the coming weeks, we’re spotlighting where a few students are spending their summer, and how their Syracuse Law coursework prepared them for the work.
Next stop: Abigael Gress, 3L (2027), Take Two Interactive Software, New York, NY
What does a typical day look like for you, and what’s one thing that surprised you about it?
A typical day for me at T2, consists of projects centered around contractual agreements with companies, artists, manufacturers, brands, and athletes. On a typical day, I work on projects that involve tasks like redlining contracts, NDAs, talent and service agreements, researching for lawyers, meeting with department teams to discuss what they have been working on and understanding how certain agreements work in law and business. I work with teams within 2K, Rockstar, and Zynga on a daily basis. Some of the most exciting have been: entertainment contracts with Rockstar for the upcoming GTA launch, contracts with 2K and their athletes, and working on goals for Zynga’s new game productions. It has been so interesting, yet exciting all at the same time. I think what has surprised me is the excitement of the environment! GTA-VI is coming out in November and it’s been over a decade since the last launch. Everyone is working so hard to get this game out and it has been such an amazing experience to be at the heart of it all and being able to participate and help out where I can. In addition, I am surrounded by such
amazing people, including my fellow interns and the amazing lawyers and legal assistants who have gone out of their way to make connections with us.
What made you choose this organization for your internship or externship?
I want to work within Sports and Entertainment, specifically for a company that I am passionate about and align with the work they produce. In addition, I am extremely interested in Intellectual property and there is absolutely NO better place than T2 to experience the power of IP and how it interacts with entertainment and sports. It is the most successful, innovative, and powerful video game company in the world, there is no better place that I could have chosen to be this summer. In addition to pursuing my MBA, my internship sits within the business affairs department at T2. This provides me with a front row seat to the intersection of law and business. This experience has illuminated just how vital this synergy is, and how essential skilled lawyers are to its success.
What’s one project or task you’ve worked on that you’re proud of, and what did you learn from it?
(I unfortunately cannot answer this one in detail or in depth due to NDA and confidential information.) However, I am very proud of myself for learning every day and adapting quickly to new information and new tasks. I have never said no to a project, even if that means learning along the way (at home or in the office). I have completed projects that have taught me necessary skills, tools, and information that will be extremely useful for working in big firms. I have also learned that Entertainment and Sports and Intellectual property is exactly what I want to pursue. By the end of this summer, I will research and prepare a presentation for senior lawyers on a topic that I find could better the company and the work they do. We have not finalized a topic yet but I am excited to work on that with my fellow legal intern!
Do you see yourself practicing in this area of law after graduation? What’s drawing you toward this field?
Absolutely I see myself practicing here! I would love to even work at T2. They treat their employees so well and they are all so valued. I 100% know I want to work in-house eventually, but valuable work experience is required beforehand!
How has Syracuse Law prepared you for this experience?
Syracuse has helped me tremendously! I use my education and knowledge of Contract law, Intellectual Property law, litigation, Constitutional law, and more every day. Further, the advisors helped me tremendously to get here. They edited and approved my cover letter, resume, and provided me with interview preparation and materials. I truly relied on their help to get here!