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CIVIL EXTERNSHIP PLACEMENT (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 3010)
2 credits
Students work 140 hours in pre-approved civil externship placements under the guidance of carefully selected mentor-attorneys. It is expected that students will be integrated into all aspects of the legal setting so that students will assist their mentor-attorneys in their day-to-day legal activities as well as receiving research, writing or other legal assignments. Some placements may include an opportunity to appear in court, interview clients, or interact with opposing counsel, while others may be more observational in nature. Civil clinical placements are in a variety of not-for-profit, government and public interest organizations which are on the leading edge of housing law, domestic violence law, immigration law, environmental law, labor law, mental hygiene law, consumer law, and general civil litigation, as well as other legal areas. The course is graded on a pass-fail basis. This course must be taken in conjunction with the Civil Clinical Externship Seminar.
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CIVIL EXTERNSHIP SEMINAR (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 3000)
2 credits
The Civil Clinical Externship Seminar explores civil lawyering in a variety of contexts. Students must complete weekly short written assignments based upon relevant readings and their externship observations and experiences, a collaborative student presentation, and accurate timesheets to promote self-directed learning through appropriate goal-setting and the critical reflection on legal process, lawyering skills, and legal institutions. The seminar uses an interactive classroom format which may include simulations and discussions where students share insights gained through their externship observations and experiences. Grades are based upon class participation, weekly written assignments, and a final student presentation. This course must be taken in conjunction with the Civil Clinical Externship Placement.
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CRIM. JUSTICE EXTERN PLACEMENT (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 3030)
2 credits
Students work 140 hours in pre-approved criminal externship placements under the guidance of carefully selected mentor-attorneys. It is expected that students will be integrated into all aspects of the legal setting so that students will assist their mentor-attorneys in their day-to-day legal activities as well as receiving research, writing or other legal assignments. Some placements may include an opportunity for students to appear in court, interview clients, or interact with opposing counsel, while others may be more observational in nature. Criminal clinical placements are with prosecutor and defender offices in the counties and boroughs near St. John's Law School and occasionally with pre-approved private practitioners who take assigned counsel cases. The course is graded on a pass-fail basis. This course must be taken in conjunction with the Criminal Clinical Externship Seminar.
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CRIM. JUSTICE EXTERNSHIP SEM. (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 3020)
2 credits
The Criminal Clinical Externship Seminar seeks to promote self-directed learning in students through appropriate goal-setting and the critical reflection on how the criminal justice systems function (how the law, procedures, practice and fact patterns interrelate), give students an understanding of the roles of prosecutors and defense attorneys within the systems, and orient students to recognize and begin to learn the skills prosecutors and defense attorneys must acquire. Students must complete weekly short written assignments based upon relevant readings and externship observations and experiences, a collaborative student presentation, accurate timesheets, and a lawyering skills simulation. The seminar uses an interactive classroom format where students share insights gained through their externship observations and experiences. Grades are based upon class participation, weekly written assignments, and a final student presentation. This course must be taken in conjunction with the Criminal Clinical Externship Placement.
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CRIMINAL DEFENSE CLINIC PT I (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 8070)
4 credits
This course is limited to students who are selected after a screening and interview process. Selected students must commit to the course for the full academic year. Students will be placed at an indigent defense organization where they will represent clients in misdemeanor and violation cases under the supervision of an experienced attorney. Students will practice pursuant to an approved student practice order which permits students to arraign cases, interview clients, write, file and argue motions, conduct case investigations and represent clients in all court appearances. Students will also participate in a weekly two-hour seminar. Topics will include relevant skills training, theory and practice as well as New York substantive and procedural criminal law. It is strongly suggested that students wishing to be considered for the Criminal Defense Clinic Part I have already taken Evidence and Trial Advocacy. However, students who agree to enroll in Evidence and Trial Advocacy (civil or criminal) at the same time they are taking the Criminal Defense Clinic will also be considered. Grades will be based on student performance at the placement site and in the clinic seminar.
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CRIMINAL DEFENSE CLINIC PT II (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 8080)
4 credits
This course is limited to students who have completed Criminal Defense Clinic Part I. Students will be placed at an indigent defense organization where they will represent clients in misdemeanor and violation cases under the supervision of an experienced attorney. Students will practice pursuant to an approved student practice order which permits students to arraign cases, interview clients, write, file and argue motions, conduct case investigations and represent clients in all court appearances. Students will also participate in a two-hour seminar. Topics will include relevant skills training, theory and practice as well as New York substantive and procedural criminal law. Grades will be based on student performance at the placement site and in the clinic seminar.
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GENERAL EXTERNSHIP PLACEMENT (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 4000)
2 credits
Students work 140 hours in pre-approved externship placements under the guidance of carefully selected mentor-attorneys. It is expected that students will gain a sense of what it is like to be a lawyer practicing in that particular law setting, so that students will assist their mentor-attorneys in their day-to-day legal activities as well as receiving research, writing or other legal assignments. Some placements may include an opportunity for students to appear in court, interview clients, or interact with opposing counsel, while others may be more observational in nature. Placements may be with administrative, city, state, and federal judiciary members; prosecutor and defender offices; and civil placements which meet the interests of the student body including, among others, organizations which are on the leading edge of housing law, domestic violence law, immigration law, environmental law, labor law, mental hygiene law, consumer law, and general civil litigation. The course is graded on a pass-fail basis. This course must be taken in conjunction with the General Clinical Externship Seminar.
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GENERAL EXTERNSHIP SEMINAR (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 3090)
2 credits
The general clinical externship seminar explores important issues in lawyer development through weekly readings, directed journal assignments and collaborative student presentations. The seminar uses an interactive classroom format which may include simulations and discussions where students share insights gained through their externship observations and experiences. Grades are based upon class participation, weekly written assignments, and a final student presentation. This course must be taken in conjunction with the General Clinical Externship Placement.
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INT'L HUMAN RIGHTS EXT PLACEMT (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 5080)
2 credits
Students work 140 hours under the supervision of carefully selected mentor-attorneys in pre-approved placements with organizations working to promote international human rights and conflict resolution around the world, including the UN and other non-governmental organizations. Students work with mentors in the day-to-day activities of the organizations, learning the substantive law, organziational requirements, and skills required for the successful promotion of peace and human rights around the world. Students engage in legal and factual research and writing, assisting in the preparation of legal advocacy and instructional materials, seminars and other assignments. The course is graded on a pass-fail basis. This course must be taken in conjunction with the International Human Rights Externship Seminar.
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JUDICIAL EXTERNSHIP PLACEMENT (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 3050)
2 credits
Students work 140 hours in pre-approved judicial externship placements in the chambers of administrative, city, state, or federal judges. It is expected that students will be integrated into all aspects of the judicial chambers so that students will observe court proceedings as well as receive substantive research and writing assignments. The course is graded on a pass-fail basis. This course must be taken in conjunction with the Judicial Clinical Externship Seminar.
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JUDICIAL EXTERNSHIP SEMINAR (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 3040)
2 credits
The Judicial Clinical Externship Seminar directs students to consider the richness and variety of the courts in which they work to promote self-directed learning through appropriate goal-setting and the critical reflection on judicial process, lawyering skills, and legal institutions. Weekly short written assignments based upon relevant readings and externship observations, accurately kept timesheets, student presentations and a lawyering skills simulation are used to engage students in recognizing and using decision-making strategies in responding to professional responsibility issues. Grades are based upon class participation, weekly written assignments, and a final student presentation. This course must be taken in conjunction with the Judicial Clinical Externship Placement.
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MENTAL HEALTH LAW SEMINAR (HEALTH LAW - 1030)
2 credits
Mental Health Law is one of the fastest growing areas of the law, drawing upon social science teachings, scientific data and new jurisprudential outlooks. This course will cover topics relating to both the civil and constitutional rights of persons within the civil commitment process, sexual predator statutes, competency to stand trial, insanity defense, and the death penalty and mental disability. Grades are based upon a research paper.
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SPECIAL EDUCATION EXT PLACEMNT (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 6090)
2 credits
The Child Advocacy's Special Education Externship requires a one semester commitment from the accepted student. Students will represent children and their guardians in New York City Department of Education administrative special education hearings involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Students will conduct client interviews, engage in factual and legal research, consult with experts, negotiate settlements, make court appearances, review documents (e.g. IEPs, school, and mental health records) and where appropriate, conduct administrative hearings. The majority of externship work will be performed at non-profit organizations which specialize in special education issues. Externship students must participate in the Special Education Externship Seminar. This seminar covers trial advocacy skills, lawyering skills and substantive areas of law. The seminar meets once a week for two hours. Seminar classes are held at the law school. Students are also required to participate in weekly "case rounds" sessions at the law school with Professor Gould. This Externship is open to second and third year students who will receive a total of four (4) credits for the semester with 2 letter graded credits and 2 pass/fail credits. All externship students are required to complete Evidence either prior to or during the semester in which they take the Special Education Externship, and are strongly encouraged to participate in the Child Advocacy Clinic prior to or after taking the Special Education Externship. Applicants are also urged to take the Intensive Trial Advocacy course, Pre-Trial Advocacy, and Family Law.
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SUMMER EXTERNSHIP PLACEMENT (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 3070)
2 credits
Students work 168 hours in pre-approved externship placements under the guidance of carefully selected mentor-attorneys. It is expected that students will gain a sense of what it is like to be a lawyer practicing in that particular law setting, so that students will assist their mentor-attorneys in their day-to-day legal activities as well as receiving research, writing or other legal assignments. Some placements may include an opportunity for students to appear in court, interview clients, or interact with opposing counsel, while others may be more observational in nature. Placements may be with administrative, city, state, and federal judiciary members; prosecutor and defender offices; and civil placements which meet the interests of the student body including, among others, organizations which are on the leading edge of housing law, domestic violence law, immigration law, environmental law, labor law, mental hygiene law, consumer law, and general civil litigation. This course is graded on a pass-fail basis. This course must be taken in conjunction with the Summer Clinical Externship Seminar.
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SUMMER EXTERNSHIP SEMINAR (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 3060)
1 credits
This 1-credit seminar is required when a student is taking an Externship Placement for the first time during the summer. It will meet for seven weeks, two hours per class. The student will be required to keep time sheets and a written reflection on their work at the placement. The first thirty minutes or so of each class will be devoted to the students' reflections. That discussion will include issues of ethics, confidentiality, workplace environment (including collaboration) and professionalism. The balance of the course will focus on lawyering skills, including fact investigation and evaluation; interviewing and counseling; writing letters, emails, and a Multistate Practice Test; and oral skills, such as presenting work to the mentor-attorney or judge, discussing the pros and cons of a case, orally synthesizing the law and the facts to tell an effective story, speaking assertively, and communicating effectively to clients. A student who goes on to take a fall or spring externship after this Summer Externship Seminar must enroll in the Externship Seminar (2 credits), and a student who takes a third subsequent externship in the fall or spring must enroll in the Externship Seminar-Advanced. A student who takes no fall or spring externships but takes a second summer externship must enroll in Externship Seminar-Advanced. This seminar will also be available in a distance-learning format for students externing at a distance. Grading method: Practice writing assignments (30%); interviewing, counseling and fact-investigation exercises (45%); MPT (20%); class participation (5%); time sheets with reflections (mandatory).
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TRIAL ADVOCACY (INTENSIVE) (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 4070)
3 credits
The Intensive Trial Advocacy Course is a two-week, full-time interactive course in which students participate in small group simulations, critique and attend a substantive lecture each day. The course culminates in student teams litigating a full-day criminal or civil trial based upon a specially developed case file. The course emphasizes learning basic trial advocacy skills including voir dire, opening statements, summation, direct and cross examinations, evidentiary procedures, and working with expert witnesses. The subject matter of the course will alternate between civil and criminal each year. Grades are based upon class participation, ability to learn from critique and the level of performance for each skill simulated. N.B.: A student may take both civil and criminal trial advocacy, but may not take either more than once (including Intensive or concentrated courses but excluding any advanced trial advocacy courses which may be offered).
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TRIAL ADVOCACY-CONCENTR. CRIM (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 6020)
3 credits
The concentrated Criminal Trial Advocacy Course meets on a concentrated schedule (six hours per week) during the middle seven weeks of the fall semester. Each week students attend a one hour lecture and demonstration class and participate in two 150 minute small-group simulation class. Two trial advocacy professors provide constructive critique, demonstrate skills, and encourage classroom exploration of case theory and approaches to the simulation assignment due in class. The course culminates in student teams litigating a full-day criminal trial based upon a specially developed case file. The course emphasizes learning basic trial advocacy skills including voir dire, opening statements, summation, direct and cross examinations, evidentiary procedures, and working with expert witnesses. Grades are based upon class participation, ability to learn from critique, and the level of performance for each skill simulated, and the final trial. N.B.: A student may take both civil and criminal trial advocacy but may not take either more than once (including Intensive or Concentrated courses but excluding any advanced trial advocacy courses which may be offered).
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TRIAL ADVOCACY-CONCENTR. CIVIL (ADVOCACY AND LEGAL SKILLS - 5060)
3 credits
The concentrated Civil Trial Advocacy Course meets on a concentrated schedule (six hours per week) during the middle seven weeks of the spring semester. Each week students attend a one hour lecture and demonstration class and participate in two 150 minute small-group simulation class. Two trial advocacy professors provide constructive critique, demonstrate skills, and encourage classroom exploration of case theory and approaches to the simulation assignment due in class. The course culminates in student teams litigating a full-day criminal or civil trial based upon a specially developed case file. The course emphasizes learning basic trial advocacy skills including voir dire, opening statements, summation, direct and cross examinations, evidentiary procedures, and working with expert witnesses. Grades are based upon class participation, ability to learn from critique, and the level of performance for each skill simulated, and the final trial. N.B.: A student may take both civil and criminal trial advocacy but may not take either more than once (including Intensive or Concentrated courses but excluding any advanced trial advocacy courses which may be offered).