If you don't care where you work, or you want to work in a big city, it doesn't matter if you don't have a position or work in Washington, DC, or New York or Chicago. That's because they assume everyone wants to be in a big city.
However, if you want to work in a smaller place, like Denver or Charlotte or Boise, it's best if you can make it there for some part of the summer. Networking is much more crucial in such areas. You need to know the local legal landscape at least some — and they need to know you. Also, figure out why you want to be there. Having family there is great, but if you don't have any real connections in the region, you'll need to know now. Then come up with a reason that a local firm should take a chance on hiring you — a reason that convinces the firm that you'll stay and not jump to the greener pasture down the road.
Don't rest on your laurels if you were a paralegal or law clerk before law school. While such experience is nice, you don't get experience with the type of legal work you'd be handling as an attorney. Paralegals and clerks don't get to participate in drafting memos or motions, nor do they really see the evidence. It's one thing to observe the dance; it's another to be in it. That's why it's important to have some legal experience.
It's also true that you need some legal work because your first year isn't really law…it's more about learning how to think like a lawyer, not practice like one. First year is the Socratic method, writing papers and no clients, reading cases, etc. In the law firm you manage clients, work with real cases, bill hours, etc. This is crucial experience, and law school doesn't give it to you.
You can still travel, though, or maybe complete some clerkships or internships — particularly international internships, as second-years are trying to get offers with stateside firms. This still lets you have clients, and you might just get to be in Madrid or Milan. Additionally, with the growing globalization of law firms, if you have experience in Rome, that gives you an advantage over someone else.
Staying stateside and going to summer school is an option, as is volunteering at the local pro bono bar. Even if you have to get a regular job, volunteering for pro bono organizations can be a great experience.
To sum up, try to get some legal work in. It's better than nothing, even if you want nothing more than a break from the grind of law school.
