Emory Law student brings global perspective, organization and curiosity about the infrastructure industry to her summer internship with the FlatironDragados Legal team in Atlanta.
Yutian Yang, an Emory University School of Law student, is spending the summer as a legal intern with FlatironDragados at our headquarters in Atlanta.
Yutian did not expect construction law to become part of her legal education. Then an internship posting at her law school introduced her to FlatironDragados.
As she researched the company, she saw large, transformational projects, including SR 400 in the Atlanta area, where she attends Emory University. From there, she began to see construction law as a field where business, corporate law, contracts and legal issues come together in the infrastructure industry.
“I didn’t even realize there was an opportunity in this industry until I saw this job opportunity,” Yutian says. “I looked at the FlatironDragados website and saw amazing projects, like SR 400 near me. I thought, ‘This company is pretty impressive. Why not give it a try?’”
Why did Yutian Yang pursue a FlatironDragados legal internship?
Two of Yutian’s mentors at Emory encouraged her to pursue the opportunity after reading the internship description.
Emory does not offer a course focused on construction law, so they told her the FlatironDragados legal internship would be a strong opportunity to expand her knowledge through practical experience.
What does a FlatironDragados legal intern work on?
Yutian’s work has included legal research on today’s emerging issues in construction contracts, support for project pursuits, legal corporate management and organization, as well as support for dispute resolution on regulatory issues.
The variety has helped her see how broad in-house legal work can be.
“I have only been here for a few weeks, but I feel like I have really learned a lot about corporate law, employment law, due diligence, everything,” Yutian says.
What is transactional law, and why does it interest Yutian Yang?
Before law school, Yutian studied social science at New York University’s campus in Shanghai. She said law interested her because it helps explain how society works. Coming from China and studying in the United States also gave her a natural interest in different legal systems, cultures and ways people relate to one another.
At this point, transactional law has especially caught her attention. Unlike litigation, which centers on disputes and courtroom proceedings, transactional law focuses on contracts, negotiations, deal structures and the legal work that helps businesses operate and make decisions.
Why does attention to detail matter in construction law?
Legal work requires organization, precision and patience.
“Attention to detail is very important, and being organized is very important,” Yutian says.
One assignment required her to verify equipment and vehicle lists and corresponding financial records connected to corporate transaction documents. That meant reviewing several source materials to ensure the documents were complete and exact.
“You have to study all of that and double-check if the list is consistent with the materials,” Yutian says. “It is challenging, but very interesting.”
How has the FlatironDragados Legal team supported Yutian Yang?
Yutian says she has found support from the FlatironDragados Legal team. She credits her supervisor, Vice President & Assistant General Counsel Steve Niparko, and Senior Corporate Counsel Ronnie Caudill with helping her learn details of construction law, including its terminology, and apply her law school knowledge to real work.
“What you learn here is definitely totally different from what you learn in law school,” Yutian says.
How has Yutian Yang experienced Atlanta during her internship?
Outside the office, Yutian has enjoyed getting to know Atlanta, from Decatur and Buckhead’s leafy neighborhoods to Ponce City Market, a former Sears & Roebuck regional warehouse now a hub for shopping and dining.
She said the city has been welcoming, and the people at FlatironDragados have helped make the transition easier.
Learn about internship opportunities at FlatironDragados on our Early Careers page.