Judicial Externships

The Honorable Michael H. Park, The Honorable Myrna Perez, and Ari Savitzky, Lecturers-in-Law Experiential Credits 4 credits (1 for the seminar; 3 for fieldwork)
Available in: Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

Course Description
Judge Michael H. Park and Judge Myrna Perez, both of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will teach the Federal Appellate Court Externship. The class combines intensive work in the chambers of a Second Circuit Judge with roughly eight class sessions.

The Seminar 
The class sessions are taught in a variety of styles. Several lectures address fundamental topics of appellate review and federal jurisdiction. During other sessions, distinguished guest speakers will discuss various aspects of appellate practice. Finally, one class session is devoted to a moot court exercise at which students argue an appeal before a panel of Second Circuit judges.

Field Placement 
Work with the Judge will involve legal research, analysis and writing on the cases to which (s)he is assigned.

Important Information 
The course will be limited to candidates for the J.D. degree. Based upon applications submitted during the Externship application period, students will be selected for interviews by representatives of the participating judges. To be accepted for this class, you must be invited for an interview and then be selected by a participating judge for work in his or her chambers. Students cannot volunteer to work in a Second Circuit judge's chambers and then apply for the course. Students may not take a clinic or another externship and this course simultaneously. 

The Honorable Eric Komitee and the Honorable Rachel Kovner with Christine LiCalzi and Jeremy Liss, Lecturer-in-Law, 4 credits (1 for the seminar; 3 for fieldwork)
Available in: Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

Course Description
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, participate in the opinion-writing and editing processes, and observe trials, oral arguments, and hearings. The Fall term is taught by Judge Rachel Kovner of the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York with Jeremy Liss. The Spring term is taught by Judge Eric Komitee of the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York with Christine LiCalzi. Students who satisfy the course requirements will receive 1 academic credit and 3 clinical credits.

The Seminar 
This seminar will familiarize students with the workings of a busy federal district court. Topics include drafting judicial opinions, plea bargaining and sentencing, habeas review, negotiating settlements, and other aspects of advocacy in civil and criminal litigation. Guest speakers will include judges from the Eastern District of New York and attorneys who practice there. Seminar sessions are held at the Eastern District’s Brooklyn Heights courthouse; the trip takes approximately 45 minutes by subway from Morningside Heights. All class sessions are mandatory.

Field 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.

Important Information 
Enrollment is open to 2Ls, 3Ls, and LL.M.s. There are no prerequisites to take this course. Once an applicant has been assigned to a judge’s chambers, the applicant can no longer withdraw from the course.

Paul Radvany, Adjunct Associate Professor, and Tiffany Moller, Lecturer-in-Law, 4 credits (1 for the seminar; 3 for field placement)
Available in: Fall 2024 and Spring 2025


Course Description 
The Federal Court Clerk Externship for the Southern 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 bench memos, and observe trials, oral arguments and hearings. The course will be taught by Paul Radvany and Tiffany Moller, both of whom have extensive federal court litigation experience. Students who satisfy the course requirements will receive one academic credit and three clinical credits and generally qualify for one minor writing credit.

The Seminar 
Students will meet seven times over the course of the semester to discuss such topics as: writing judicial opinions; judicial ethics, the externship experience; criminal federal litigation; civil federal litigation and effective courtroom lawyering. Students will also reflect on their experience including the roles of judges and clerks in our justice system and critically examine our system of justice. Two of the classes will consist of panel discussions on criminal and civil law with experienced litigators and judges.

Field Placement
Students will be placed with a federal judge in the Southern District of New York. They will spend 15 hours per week working on judicial matters, with at least one day per week (or two half days) at the courthouse. Some of this time is spent observing court proceedings.

Important Information 
Enrollment is open to 2Ls, 3Ls, and LL.M.s. There are no prerequisites to take this course. Once an applicant has accepted, the applicant can no longer withdraw his/her candidacy.