Law Offices

JUDICIAL EXTERNSHIPS: SPRING 2010 SEMESTER

Judicial Externship is a 4-credit hour Pass/Low Pass/Fail program open to students who have completed at least their first full year of law school and want to do legal research and writing for a federal appellate, district or magistrate judge or a designated Illinois appellate or circuit court judge.

Judicial Externship enables a student to become involved in particular legal problems through research and writing, and to contribute to the resolution of those problems by writing memoranda and drafting opinions. Depending upon the judge, an extern may have the opportunity to observe the day-to-day routine of a judge and discuss with the judge or the judge's law clerk those legal problems which attorneys face in their profession, as well as the specific problems confronted in the courtroom.

Application Process

Applications for Spring Judicial Externships are now available in the Law Offices reception area (Room 600), in the Career Services Office, and in front of the Spakateria.

Completed applications should be submitted to Ms. Carole Ross, Secretary to Professor Gross, Room 612 of Law Offices, by Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

Spring 2010: Externships with Chicago Transit Authority Legal Department

CTA Legal Department is a general in-house legal department doing employment law, labor law, corporate law, policy and appeals, workman's compensation and tort defense. Those students who are eligible for 711 licenses may appear in criminal and traffic court as well as arbitration proceedings.

If you are interested in applying, please submit the following:

• A current resume;
• Two writing samples, each of which is no more than ten pages; and
• An official law school transcript.

Please submit these materials by email to Nancy Isaac at nisaac@transitchicago.com or by mail to:
Nancy Isaac
Chief Administrator
Office of the General Counsel
Chicago Transit Authority
567 West Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60661

All applications must be completed and submitted as soon as possible, but by no later than Tuesday, November 10, 2009.

Please notify Prof. Gross (vgross@kentlaw.edu) immediately if you are selected as an extern.
 

Spring 2010: Disability Law For Credit Legal Externship Opportunity

Equip for Equality (EFE) is a private nonprofit, statewide organization whose mission is to advance the human and civil rights of people with disabilities. EFE provides legal representation in individual cases, and engages in impact litigation and public policy advocacy seeking systemic change. Externs can work in one of three programs: (1) Special Education Clinic – assisting families with obtaining the education and support that their children with disabilities need; (2) Abuse Investigation Unit – investigating abuse and neglect of people with disabilities and providing individual assistance and advocating for systemic change; and (3) Community Living Team – representing people with disabilities on a wide range of issues, including discrimination, community integration and self-determination.

Interested students should submit a resume and cover letter to Barry Taylor via e-mail at barryt@equipforequality.org. The cover letter should indicate your preference, if any, for one of EFE's three legal programs.

Please notify Prof. Gross (vgross@kentlaw.edu) immediately if you have been selected.
 

Spring 2010 Semester: Externships with Illinois Attorney General's Office

The Illinois Attorney General's Office provides excellent opportunities for law students to improve their skills and knowledge in a wide range of subject areas, including consumer protection, government representation, civil rights, environmental enforcement, antitrust, complex civil litigation, civil and criminal appeals, and criminal law enforcement.

Working closely with attorneys in the Chicago office, externs investigate facts, review documents, research legal issues, and draft legal memoranda, correspondence, and pleadings. Students who qualify for a 711 licensed may appear in court under the supervision of an Assistant Attorney General.

For further information, and to download an application form, please visit the Illinois Attorney General's website at: http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/about/index.html. Inquiries may also be directed to Adelaida Otero at 312/814-5197, aotero@atg.state.il.us.

If you are interested in externing at the Illinois Attorney General's Office during the Spring 2010 semester, you must submit your application by Monday, November 2, 2009.

To receive law school credit for Kent's Spring Externship Program, please contact Prof. Gross (vgross@kentlaw.edu) to set up a meeting.
 

Spring 2010 Semester: U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Division of Enforcement

The Chicago office of the Division of Enforcement is seeking externs who will receive law school credit.

The Division of Enforcement investigates and prosecutes alleged violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations. Violations may involve commodity futures or option trading on domestic commodity exchanges, or the improper marketing of commodity investments. The Division may, at the direction of the Commission, file complaints before the agency's administrative law judges or in the U.S. District Courts. Alleged criminal violations of the Commodity Exchange Act or violations of other Federal laws which involve commodity futures trading may be referred to the Justice Department for prosecution. The Division also provides expert help and technical assistance with case development and trials to U.S. Attorneys' Offices, other Federal and state regulators, and international authorities.

Primary duties include conducting legal research, writing memoranda, aiding in the preparation of court pleadings and papers in the U.S. District Courts across the nation as well as in an administrative forum; aiding attorneys and investigators who are preparing to take investigative testimony and depositions, working with exhibits, Freedom of Information Act responses; aiding with the discovery process and interacting with and/or interviewing customers or investors with complaints.

To apply, interested students should e-mail a cover letter, resume and writing sample by Friday, November 6, 2009 to:

Ms. Ava Gould
Trial Team Leader
Commodities Futures Trading Commission
525 W. Monroe Street, Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60661
agould@cftc.gov

Please notify Prof. Gross (vgross@kentlaw.edu) if and when you are selected as an extern.
 

SPRING 2010 EXTERNSHIP: INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, OFFICE OF CHIEF COUNSEL
3Ls preferred

Applicants with prior expertise or experience in tax matters are preferred, but the IRS will consider all applicants.

Applications should include: brief cover letter, resume, law school transcript and writing sample.

Contact:

Ms. Patricia Davis
Area Counsel
Internal Revenue Service
Suite 2300
200 W. Adams St.
Chicago, IL 60606

Please contact Professor Gross (vgross@kentlaw.edu) if you are accepted or for more information about this externship opportunity.

SPRING 2010: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) LEGAL EXTERNSHIP FOR IP CERTIFICATE PARTICIPANTS
2L and 3L applicants must have a minimum G.P.A. of 3.35

A well-known Chicago-based national firm will select a qualified Kent IP Certificate student for a Spring externship in their IP division.

To apply:
Submit your resume and transcript to Prof. Gross by Thursday, November 5, at noon. Professor Gross will then forward the information to the participating firm to make its selection.

For more information about intellectual property externship opportunities generally, please contact Professor Vivien Gross (vgross@kentlaw.edu).

 
SPRING 2010: FOR CREDIT LEGAL EXTERNSHIPS WITH U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IMMIGRATION COURT

The extern will assist a panel of six immigration judges by writing legal memoranda, conducting in-depth legal research and analysis, and drafting judicial decision. This position offers extensive exposure to asylum and removal law and an excellent opportunity to improve research, writing and analytical skills. United States citizenship is required.

Location: Immigration Court – EOIR
55 East Monroe Street, Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60603

If you are interested, please submit a cover letter, resume, copy of recent transcript (unofficial is accepted), and unedited writing sample (5-10 pages) via email to greta.hendricks@usdoj.gov no later than Monday, October 19, 2009. Interviews will be conducted in person.

Inquiries should be directed to Greta Hendricks at (312) 353-7313, ext. 232, or at the email address listed above.

Please notify Prof. Gross (vgross@kentlaw.edu) if you are selected as an extern.

 
SPRING 2010: FOR CREDIT LEGAL EXTERNSHIPS WITH U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT

The extern will assist in the representation of the U.S. Government in deportation, removal, and bond proceedings; provide advice and support to the various components of ICE; draft motions and briefs for practice before the U.S. Immigration Court, Board of Immigration appeals, and U.S. District Court; and prepare memoranda dealing with complex and novel legal issues. Previous or concurrent course work in immigration law helpful. United States citizenship is required.

Location: Office of the Chief Counsel
U.S. Dept. Of Homeland Security – ICE
55 E. Monroe St., Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60603

If you are interested, please submit a resume, transcript and writing sample to: occ-chi-applications@dhs.gov no later than Friday, October 16, 2009. Interviews will be conducted in person and/or by telephone. All externs must successfully complete a security background check.

Please notify Prof. Gross (vgross@kentlaw.edu) if you are selected as an extern.

 
Spring 2010: For Credit Externship with New Trier Partners, LLC

New Trier Partners, LLC ("New Trier") is a privately owned Chicago-based real estate private equity firm. New Trier seeks to achieve above market, absolute risk-adjusted returns by acquiring and actively managing commercial real estate assets in select U.S. markets. New Trier currently has over $100 million of commercial real estate assets and development projects under ownership and management.

Externship responsibilities will include:

• Drafting transactional and business documents (drafting experience strongly recommended);
• Assisting with due diligence;
• Legal research;
• Corporate entity compliance; and
• Monitoring arbitration and litigation cases.

Qualifications: 2L or 3L. Some training or experience at a law firm is strongly preferred. Understanding of basic business and real estate concepts is helpful.

If you are interested, please submit a copy of your resume and transcript by no later than Friday, October 30th to:

Mr. Robert G. Goldstein, Esq
New Trier Partners, LLC
6815 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, Il 60712

or via e-mail to:

vlamarca@newtrierpartners.com

If you have any further questions, please contact Prof. Gross (vgross@kentlaw.edu).

SPRING 2010: EXTERNSHIPS WITH U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

The United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), enforces several Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex disability and age. OCR also enforces the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act of 2001 that prohibits the denial of equal access or a fair opportunity to meet with, or discriminate against, any group officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America. Successful extern candidates will work with OCR attorneys and investigators on one or more teams in the Chicago Office to resolve discrimination complaints.

The extern will observe and participate in complainant and witness interviews, participate in the drafting of all documents pertinent to an OCR investigation, including letters of notification, data requests and letters of finding. The extern may have the opportunity to participate in local on-site investigations and will assist with data analysis, engage in substantial legal research and be expected to adhere to the tight time frames of the Department. The team attorney(s) with whom the extern will work will supervise the extern's work. The extern coordinator, the deputy chief attorney and chief attorney will also be available to assist the extern.

If you are interested, please submit a letter of interest along with a copy of your resume and writing sample, postmarked no later than Friday, October 30, 2009 to:

Ms. Leticia Magdaleno
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Citigroup Center
Suite 1475
500 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60661

Applications may also be submitted by email to Leticia.Magdaleno@ed.gov.

Please notify Prof. Gross (vgross@kentlaw.edu) if you are selected as an extern.

For a complete description of all clinical programs, please visit the Law Offices' Home Page at http://www.kentlaw.edu/academics/clinic.