Criminal Prosecution Externships

Fran Weiner and Courtney Hogg, Lecturers-in- Law (2 credits for the seminar; 3 credits for placement work)
Available in: Fall 2026 and Spring 2027

Course Description
This externship is designed to immerse students in a district attorney’s office in order to show them the true role of a local prosecutor as well as to help them build concrete lawyering skills. In this externship, the students will learn to evaluate cases, interview police and civilian witnesses, gather discovery as well as prepare to present testimony. Their hands-on work with multiple cases will highlight the importance of exercising discretion, meeting all ethical obligations and foster self-reflection.  Through class discussions the students will reflect upon the powerful and unique role that prosecutors play in the criminal justice system. Since the students will be completing their placement work in two different offices, the students will also reflect upon the similarities and differences in how each office responds to the needs of their respective communities. 

The Seminar
Students attend weekly two-hour seminars designed to supplement and expand upon their placement work. In each seminar, students will share their placement work experiences through weekly case rounds.  During these discussions, students will share observations, analyze issues and solve problems.  The seminars will cover topics such as criminal justice reform, prosecutorial discretion, ethical obligations, discovery, bail and suppression issues. In addition, the instructors will discuss jury selection and opening statements. The seminars will combine experiential learning exercises with readings and discussion to ensure that students engage in critical thinking about the work of a local prosecutor. Over the course of the semester, the students will have the opportunity to conduct a round of jury selection and deliver an opening statement on one of the cases they are working on as part of their placement work.

Placement Work
Students will spend 15 hours each week working at either the New York County District Attorney’s Office (DANY) (One Hogan Place, Manhattan) or the Kings County District Attorney’s Office (KCDA) (350 Jay Street, Brooklyn).   In both offices, students will have the opportunity to analyze cases, speak with witnesses, gather discovery, observe court proceedings and help prepare cases for hearing and trial.  The students will also help conduct research on various questions arising from their cases. 

Important Information
The course will be limited to 10 students and will be open to JD and LL.M candidates. Preference may be given to students who have or will be taking Evidence.

Emily Johnson, Christy Slavik Lecturers- in-Law, 4 credits (2 for the seminar; 2 for placement work)

Available: Fall 2026

Course Description
The Federal Prosecution Externship at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York offers students the opportunity to learn about investigating and prosecuting federal criminal cases in United States District Court. Students will be placed in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, where they will work with Assistant United States Attorneys representing the federal government in a wide range of criminal prosecutions, including ones involving firearms, narcotics, fraud, immigration, child exploitation, public corruption, terrorism, and violent crimes. The externship will also consist of a weekly seminar taught by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Lenow and Katherine Reilly.

The Seminar
The seminar will meet on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the U.S. Attorney’s Office located at One Saint Andrew’s Plaza in downtown Manhattan. It will provide an overview of the criminal justice system, from the investigation and decision to charge a case through trial and sentencing. It will also analyze the ethical issues that arise at every stage of a criminal prosecution. The seminar will consist not only of a discussion of practice and case law but will have a practical component in which students will learn through simulations and practice exercises.

Placement Work
Students will be expected to work for at least 10 hours per week. Each student will be assigned to work with one or more Assistant U.S. Attorneys and should anticipate assisting with all aspects of the prosecution of cases, including court proceedings, meetings with agents and victims and attending proffer sessions with cooperating witnesses. Students should also expect to perform research and writing on legal issues as part of the work at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and report on their weekly activities to the instructors.

Important Information
The course will be limited to 10 students and will be open to JD students who are U.S. citizens. Preference will be given to 3Ls who have taken upper-level criminal law or procedure classes.

Tanya Hajjar and David Pitluck, Lecturer-in-Law, (2 for the seminar; 2 for placement work)
Available in: Spring 2027

Grading is Credit/Fail.

Method of Evaluation: Paper/s, class attendance/participation, and preparedness for in-class practical exercises.

Course Description
The Federal Prosecution Externship offers students the opportunity to work one-on-one with experienced Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Eastern District of New York as they investigate and prosecute violations of federal criminal law. Each student will be assigned to work directly with an experienced Assistant U.S. Attorney in one of the Office's five senior prosecutorial sections: the Business and Securities Fraud Section, Narcotics Section, Organized Crime and Gangs Section, Public Integrity Section, and National Security and Cybercrime Section. Students will be expected to work 12-15 hours per work for 14 weeks (one semester) at the U.S. Attorney's Office in downtown Brooklyn. Students will have the opportunity to take part in all aspects of their supervising AUSA's criminal caseload - from investigation to sentencing and post-conviction appeal - and should also expect to do substantial research and writing. Under the local rules of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, law students will be permitted to conduct court appearances, such as arraignments, guilty plea proceedings, sentencings, hearings, and trials.

Seminar
A weekly seminar will examine the role of Assistant U.S. Attorneys in each phase of the federal criminal justice system, including investigations, arrests, arraignments, pretrial suppression hearings, plea negotiations, and sentencing. In addition, students will participate in practicums that build upon their experiences working on actual federal criminal matters, including a mock arraignment and moot oral argument on a suppression motion.

Placement
Please note that enrollment is limited to 10-12 students, and conditioned on a screening interview and successful security clearance. Due to the security clearance requirement, enrollment is limited to United States citizens, and students offered placement into the program may be required to accept on an expedited basis that is earlier than the normal externship deadlines. Please note that students who enroll in the externship will not be permitted to withdraw from it, and that complete class attendance is mandatory and expected.