Ex. Federal Court Clerk EDNY

Externship Summary
The Federal Court Clerk Externship for the Eastern District of New York provides an in-depth examination of the functioning of the federal trial courts. Students will have the opportunity to work with a federal judge, draft opinions, and observe trials, oral arguments and hearings. The course will be taught by Eric Komittee of the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, and Christine LiCalzi, a Lecturer in Law. Students who satisfy the course requirements will receive 2 academic credits and 2 clinical credits.

The Seminar
During the semester, students will meet weekly on Thursday evenings (6:20 pm-8:10 pm) at the U.S. District Court, Eastern District (located in Brooklyn Heights) to discuss a number of externship related topics, including: judicial decision-making in various contexts (i.e., settlements, motions, sentencings), judicial ethics, the externship experience, and effective advocacy in civil and criminal litigation. Two of the classes will consist of panel discussions on criminal and civil law with experienced litigators and judges. Students will also participate in practical criminal and civil advocacy exercises as part of the classroom component. The class sessions are mandatory, so students should take that into consideration when applying. Please note that travel time to Brooklyn Heights, where the U.S. District Court is located, and where class will be held, is approximately 45 minutes by subway from Morningside Heights.

The Placement
Each student will be assigned to a judge’s chambers. In addition, students will meet in weekly seminars to discuss key topics in federal litigation. After an introduction to externship expectations, ethics, and judicial writing, the sessions will cover substantive topics: civil rights and Section 1983 litigation; corporate criminal litigation; mediation of civil disputes; guilty pleas and sentencing; and habeas corpus. The seminars will feature guest speakers including judges and experienced litigators. In addition to the substantive work, the class will focus on effective chambers communication – specifically, how externs can deliver a concise and effective legal recommendation to a law clerk or judge. Class sessions (at the U.S. District Court on Thursday nights at 6:20 p.m.) are mandatory. Travel time to Brooklyn Heights, where the E.D.N.Y. courthouse is located, is approximately 45 minutes by subway from Morningside Heights.