A. PROGRAM STRUCTURE. Capital Law School operates a for-credit externship program to permit upper-class students to develop their practical lawyering skills in government, nonprofit, public service and other legal organizations. The Externships generally are structured as follows:
1. Placements: The student is placed with a court, an administrative agency, a nonprofit organization or corporation, usually at sites located in downtown Columbus (unless otherwise noted). There the extern will observe legal processes and assist with legal work under the supervision of a site lawyer and thus earn academic credit.
2. Hours: The student may take an Externship for either 2 or 3 credit hours. Those
students who take the course for 2 credit hours are required to work for 100 hours at the site (plus class time) over the semester. Those students who take the course for 3 credit hours are required to work for 150 hours (plus class time) over the term. An externship of 4 credit hours may be possible upon special application to the Director.
In the Fall/Spring terms this is approximately 7.5 hours at the site per week (for 2 credits) or 12 hours per week (for 3 credits) over the 13+ week term. During the shorter eight week Summer Term this equates to about 13 or 21 hours (for 2 or 3 credit hours respectively) per week at the site. The student sets the schedule with the site supervisor to work around other classroom commitments.
3. Evening Students : About 18 sites are “ evening student friendly” and will take students who can only be at the site about 2 hours a week and who need to do the remainder of extern work on their own time. They include sites at courts and in the areas of labor, family, environmental, government, insurance & mediation law; They are marked with an EF. Please note on application if you need an EF site.
4. Tuition/Class Registration: In order to receive credit, the student must register for the Externship course, do competent work at site,attend several class meetings /conferences,and pay the current tuition amount for those 2 or 3 credit hours.
5. Grades: Work is graded as satisfactory [the equivalent of “C” or better] or unsatisfactory. Externships have no effect on student GPA.
B. ELIGIBIL ITY, APPLICATION AND SELECTION
1. Eligibility : Students may apply if they will have completed the equivalent of the first year day curriculum (including Civil Procedure Rules) before the externship begins and have aGPA of 2.0 or better. Typically Day students are first eligible the Summer term after their first year and Evening students the Summer term after second year. [ First year Day students applying for Summer externships need a GPA that suggests a 2.0+ upon report of Spring grades—generally a 2.6.]
2. Application: On the application form, students should list the externships that they are interested in receiving, in order of preference. If a student would be interested in receiving anyexternship or best available, the student should indicate that on the application form. If the student would like the Committee to consider any special credentials or experience, or any other relevant information, the student may also attach a memo to the application form. Students also must attach to their application 3 resumes and an unofficial copy of their law school transcript.
3. Selection: In making assignments, the Committee overseeing Externships considers a wide variety of factors such as the applicant’s year in school (preference is given to 3rd year day and 4th year evening students), whether the applicant has applied unsuccessfully for an externship before, the applicant’s academic performance (particularly overall grade point average and the grade in Legal Research and Writing), and whether the applicant has any special interest, credentials or experience for a particular externship. In assigning externships, the Committee only places students in externships specifically requested on the application form. .
4. Notice: Because we have a large number of placements, students who apply will very likely get an externship, especially if they list several choices. Submitting an application, however, does not guarantee that a student will be placed in an externship. Notice of externship assignment will be provided as soon as possible and we try to provide notice to you before registration begins. However, if you have applied for an externship, you should register for the Externship class for that termeven if you have not yet been notified about your placement.
5. Conditions: A few of the placements, including Battelle, the U.S. Atty’s Office, and the Ohio Commerce Dept. require that the designated student undergo a pre- approval interview or orientation meeting. Some of the placements, including those with the Ohio Attorney General & the U. S. Attorney, require a security clearance.
6. If a student applies/ is selected for an externship, the student is expected to carry out the assignment. Otherwise this opportunity is lost to other students and the site.
- The present sign up is for Summer/Fall 08 Terms only. However, because of security clearance wait time, the sign up for the US Attorney’s Office-- Spring 09 externship is by this April 1st application.
An application form is attached at the back. All applications, with resumes and transcript copy, must be submitted to the desk of secretary Karen Davis -- [5th floor just outside the mailroom] Deadlines: Applications are due no later than 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
Earlier submissions are encouraged.
C. INFORMATION about EXTERN PLACEMENTS.
1. Student descriptions of past extern experiences at most of the listed sites are available in five Binder Notebooks on the 5 th floor, on a black bookshelf just outside the Xerox-Mail Room in the secretary area. Students are welcome to read these on the 5 th floor.
2. If you need additional information you may contact Professor Simms (the Director of the Externship Program) at 7301 or by e-mail [preferred] at ssimms@law.capital.edu. Professor Simms will be available for individual conferences about questions or particular externships --office #542 ( walk-ins OK but e-mailing for specific appointment time is recommended).
3. Also general meetings will be held to provide information and answer questions about externships on Thurs. March 13 th at 4:30 and Wed. March 26 th at 2:00 in Room #231. Look on Externship Board on first floor for further notices.
D. PLACEMENTS-----The Committee on Externships expects the following positions to be available for the 2007 Spring Term:
COURTS --These positions afford experience in research and writing and exposure to the workings of the court system.
Federal Courts
A-1. A position with of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. with the Hon. J. Sutton. [Not available summer term]
A-2. Positions with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, including with the Hon. Gregory L. Frost [ Judge Frost allows no concurrent outside legal employment], the Hon. John D. Holschuh, the Hon. James L. Graham [Fall ‘08], the Hon. Algenon L. Marbley, the Hon. Edmund A. Sargus, the Hon. George C. Smith and the Hon. Michael Watson [Note: Judge Marbley prefers students with Journal experience and interest in future clerking]
A-3 Positions with Magistrate Mark Abel and Magistrate Kemp of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
A-4 A position with the U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Ohio- Kathryn Preston. [available Summer and Fall 08]
Ohio Court
A-4. Positions with justices of the Supreme Court of Ohio including Chief Justice Moyer [3rd year student, top 10-15% preferred- available Fall], Justice Maureen O’Conner EF [NA], Justice Robert Cupp, [available Fall], Justice Eve Stratton [available Fall] EF and Justice Judith Lanzinger [available Summer].
A-5. Positions with the Ohio Court of Appeals including the Hon. Susan D. Brown EF [Fall & Spring] and the Hon.William Klatt. [Spring term only].
A-6. Positions with the Franklin County and Municipal Courts:
(a) Positions available with Common Pleas Judges: the Hon. John F. Bender; the Hon. John P. Bessey, the Hon. Eric Brown; the Hon. David E. Cain, the Hon. Daniel Hogan, the Hon. Guy Reece, the Hon. Richard S. Sheward, and Referee Michael Angel.
(b) Positions with Domestic Relations/Juvenile Judges including the Hon. Katherine S. Lias, the Hon. Kim Brown, the Honorable Jim Mason, the Hon. Dana Preisse and the Hon. Carol
Squire. (Assignments to specific judges are made by the court) [Extern should have at least one morning a week available in schedule.] Available for 2 credits only.
(c) Positions available with Municipal Court with the Hon. Julia Dorrian, the Hon. Anne Taylor, the Hon. Scott VanDerKarr; the Hon. Harland Hale, and the Hon.Amy Salerno.
A-7. A position with the Ohio Court of Claims. The extern will be involved in fact-finding, research, and drafting of decisions in cases brought against the State of Ohio and its agencies.
A-8. A position with the Hon. Michael F. Higgins and/or Judge Branstool of the Licking County Municipal Court in Newark, Ohio.
A-9 New Site! A position with Judge Charlotte Coleman Eufinger of Union County Probate and Juvenile Court, located in Marysville, Ohio
B. Court Support Offices
B-1. One position with the Supreme Court of Ohio, Attorney Services Office. The extern will assist in legal research projects on topics such as jury service, amendment to court rules, court programs in other states and will perhaps be engaged in matters involving legislation the court has an interest in. [especially interested in Fall 08 extern]
B-2. A position with the Supreme Court of Ohio, the Ohio Sentencing Commission. The extern will research and prepare memorandum, may attend legislative committee meetings, possibly attend hearings in the Ohio House and Senate on sentencing and crime bills and may help analyze and draft legislation. EF [especially interested in Summer extern]
B-3. A position with the Dispute Resolution Section of the Supreme Court. The extern will research and prepare memoranda assessing existing dispute resolution programs, and also will attend dispute resolution meetings, seminar and training programs.
B-4. One position with the Specialized Docket Section of the Supreme Court. This extern will assist the court in addressing issues related to drug courts, substance abuse and mental illness courts, domestic violence courts, mental health courts, and domestic violence/stalking protection orders. The extern will help the lawyers plan/implement specialized docket programs. The extern may also provide research assistance on legal topics associated with such dockets, eg. identifying minimum standards for batterer intervention programs, etc. EF [esp.interested in Summer extern]
B-5. A position with the Case Management Section of the Supreme Court. This Section provides practical, cost-effective solutions for court case management concerns and involves training and reviews of current court practices. As a part of case management services, the section administers the temporary assignment of judges to serve in trial and appellate courts. It also provides reporting of statistical information provided by trial, appellate and mayor’s courts in the state. The extern will assist with these tasks.
B-6. A position with the Board of Commissioners Grievances & Discipline.
New Site! This section is charged with administering, interpreting and enforcing rules relating to lawyer and judge discipline for ethical misconduct and also reviews judges’ financial disclosure statements filed with the Board.
B-7 A position with Office of Legal Resources. In this office, the extern would assist the commissioners of the court and research and draft memoranda on cases involving inmates’ claims for habeus corpus [release from prison] and mandamus [compelling public officials to act] as well as other types of cases. The extern might also draft opinions and help proof and critique other draft opinions
B-8 A position with Office of Children, Families and the Court. This office provides support services to the local courts throughout Ohio. It monitors and assists in the research, development of family law matters throughout Ohio courts, including juvenile, domestic relations and probate courts
B-9 A position with the Judicial College which provides continuing educational opportunities for judges and magistrates throughout the state. An extern would help prepare course materials to assist the faculty judges and get to attend courses to see how these educational materials are used and what are the current issues in judging.
B-10 A position with Legislative Counsel. The extern would research issues related to legislation that the Court is monitoring and attend committee meetings at the General Assembly and also help with various commissions and task forces ongoing at the Ohio Supreme Court.
- Federal Litigation Positions
**C-1. Positions with the Office of the U.S. Attorney, in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions [ designate your preference ]. All externs must promptly apply for and pass a federal background investigation, drug screening, and a police record check and must not be working in any other paid law related job [except for non-adversarial positions such as research assistant to professor]. The externs will assist with research, drafting memoranda, preparing dispositive motions for the district court, and, if possible, drafting briefs for the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The civil division extern will also draft discovery requests and attend depositions. The criminal division extern will assist in pre-trial motions and trial preparation, as well as researching post-trial issues. There will possibly be an opportunity for observation of a trial or pre-trial hearing for both externs. The externs placed at the U.S. Attorney’s Office must be self-motivated and be able to work in a fast paced environment . ** NOTE- These positions are assigned several months ahead to allow time for the security check. The Committee will be assigning externs to the U.S. Attorney’s Office by April application for the Fall ‘08 term, and also for the Spring ‘09 term. If you would like to apply for a position in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, please identify, at the April sign up, whether you are interested in the Fall or Spring semester.
C-2. A position with the Federal Public Defender’s Office. The student will prepare pleadings, perform legal research and attend court hearings. The externship is designed for students interested in Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure and the defense of criminal cases in federal court. The site prefers, but does not require, that the student have had a Criminal Procedure course before externing there.
D. Ohio Attorney General Offices
D-1. Two positions with the Ohio Attorney General’s Capital Crimes Section. The extern will work on death penalty habeas corpus cases, including preparing pleadings, researching and drafting procedural and substantive arguments, and assisting with amicus briefs, generally in support of the death penalty.
D-2. Two positions with the Ohio Attorney General’s Civil Rights Section. The externs will have the opportunity to assist in the preparation of cases for public hearing. The externs will assist in all phases of hearing preparation, to the extent possible during the time parameters of the student’s externship. This will include drafting discovery requests and responses, attending depositions, contacting witnesses, assisting in settlement negotiations and other hearing preparation, and attending the public hearing.
D-3. A position with the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section, which handles consumer complaints, investigations, and litigation related to consumer fraud. Students will have the opportunity to work on responding to consumer complaints, to assist with investigations, to draft litigation pleadings, and to participate in legislative matters.
D-4. Two positions with the Ohio Attorney General’s Corrections Litigation Section. The extern will assist in the defense of federal habeas corpus and Section 1983 lawsuits brought against state employees by inmates of Ohio’s penal institutions.
D-5. A position with the Ohio Attorney General’s Court of Claims Defense Section. The
extern will research legal issues relating to defense of tort and contract cases, assist attorneys in drafting pre-trial motions, and appellate briefs, and work on written discovery requests and responses as well as deposition questions. The student extern will have an opportunity to get hands-on experience in many phases of trial preparation and will work closely with litigators as they prepare cases for trial in the Ohio Court of Claims.
D-6. A position with the Ohio Attorney General’s Crime Compensation Section, a division that provides funds to agencies to provide services to crime victims, including domestic violence shelters. It also provides compensation directly to crime victims for the out-of-pocket expenses, for work loss related to crimes committed against them, and for work loss related expenses. Externs will learn about the program, and under the supervision of section attorneys, will analyze crime victim applications, will determine whether applicants are eligible for awards (and if so, how much they are eligible for) and will draft decisions awarding or denying funds. They may also draft briefs addressing legal and factual issues that arise when an applicant is dissatisfied with agency decisions.
D-7. A position with the Ohio Attorney General’s Employment Law Section. The student will work closely with the Assistant Attorneys General during discovery, draft discovery requests and attend depositions. The student will also have the chance to research, draft memoranda and dispositive motions, and there may be a chance to be involved in final trial preparation and observation of a trial. **The student assigned to this position must take the Externship course for 3 credit hours (the Summer extern may opt for 2 or 3 credit hours) and a prior employment law class is preferred.
D-8. A position with the Ohio Attorney General’s Environmental Enforcement Section. The extern will do legal research and may draft some motions and complaints on various litigation and environmental issues.
D-9. A position with the Ohio Attorney General’s Health and Human Services Section. This section represents a number of clients in the health care field. The extern will be involved in research and writing projects.
D-10. A position with the Ohio Attorney General’s Transportation Section. This section is responsible for providing legal services to the Department of Transportation. Primarily, it handles the appropriation of land for highway purposes and accordingly litigates in the Court of Common Pleas and in administrative appeals. Extern responsibilities would include assisting with exhibits, working with the client to obtain information needed for trial, doing research for opinions or motions, and traveling to courthouses for filings. The extern would likely have an opportunity to observe trials, depositions and mediations.
D-11 A position with the Executive Agencies Division of the Ohio Attorney General. This section provides Legal Advice and conducts litigation on behalf of more than 60 state departments and agencies. Including Commerce, Liquor Control, Bureau of Motor Vehicles etc. The extern would work on research and drafting for the attorneys in this section.
D-12 A position with the Education Division. This section provides legal advice and counsel to Ohio Schools K-12 and to the state’s 13 universities and many community and technical Colleges. The extern at this site would be involved in research about academic affairs (grading issues), student affairs, charter schools, teacher licensure and other HR issues. The extern might have the opportunity for some involvement with licensing or other personnel hearings.
Other Agencies, Commissions and Positions
E. Criminal Law
E-1. A position with the Office of Criminal Justice Services. The extern will assist in a variety of projects including legal research on federal and state regulations as they relate to the administration of federal grant monies, and may research and write memoranda on a variety of legal issues that arise from sub granting monies to local agencies and associations within the State of Ohio. The extern will also develop OCJS policies/ procedures as issues arise.
E-2. A position with the City Prosecutor’s Office. This office is responsible for prosecuting all misdemeanor cases for the City of Columbus. The extern will primarily assist with criminal complaint intake and the taking of witness statements and may also perform research projects and possibly assist in the courtroom. NOTE: Site requires student take externship for 3 HR CREDIT.
E-3. A position with the Columbus City Attorney-Criminal Division. The extern will do research, prepare motions on criminal law issues and do some legislative work re criminal law.
E-4. TBA
E-5 Two positions with The Justice League of Ohio which is non-profit organization which strives to ensure the rights of victims of violent crime. The extern will assist in a variety of projects including legal research on state and federal victims’ rights laws. The extern can expect direct involvement in the investigation / resolution of victims’ rights complaints. [2 hrs only-located in Powell, Ohio] EF
(See also B2, C1, C2, D1 and D4 for other criminal law positions)
F. Environmental Law
F-1. Two positions with the Ohio Dept of Natural Resources-- Director’s Office and Chief Legal Counsel. An extern at this site would assist with the agency’s mission to assure the wise use of natural resources. The extern would do research, write memos, and attend meetings on emerging environmental policy issues such as the Great Lakes restoration and water quality and Alternative Energy production such as ethanol, wind, biofuels, etc. The extern might also help with administrative advocacy/litigation of environmental issues in the air, water, mining, wildlife or parks area.
F-2. A position with the Ohio Environment Council (OEC). The OEC externs will work with other externs as a team to develop legal arguments to further environmental issues affecting Ohio. They may work with an attorney who does pro bono cases for OEC and will likely have the opportunity to attend strategy meetings. The externs may also have an opportunity to work on legislative bills such as analyzing/preparing testimony and amendments on bills at the Ohio Legislature. The student should have an interest/background in environmental issues. A student may have an opportunity to continue into a subsequent term as the Senior Extern coordinator.
F-3. Two positions with the OSU Agricultural and Rural Law Program in conjunction with the Ohio State University’s Dept. of Agriculture, Environmental and Development Economics. This includes both the SWANK program and the Center for Farmland Policy Innovation Program. In this position the extern will conduct Legal Research and policy analysis in the areas of agriculture, rural and resource law. This can include local land use law, property rights, farmland preservation law, and rural- urban issues. (At OSU) EF
F-4. A position with the Environmental Review Appeals Commission (ERAC). This commission is a 3 person appellate review agency that hears challenges to certain final actions of the Ohio EPA, Dept. of Agriculture and Board of Health in a forum in which individuals may challenge what they perceive to be noncompliance with Ohio’s environmental laws. The extern will do legal research on procedure and environmental issues and draft responses for motions filed with the Commission and may draft legislative testimony.
F-5. A position with the Franklin County Environmental Court-Judge Hale. In this position the student will help the judge with research and drafting and have the opportunity to observe hearings/trials on environmental issues.
F-6. Two positions (in Fall/Spring, one in Summer) with the City of Columbus Development Department- Planning Division. The extern will work with various aspects of municipal land use and zoning law, such as for example, Mayor Coleman’s vacant structure initiative. Located in North Columbus, just off of interstate 71 near North Broadway.
(See also D8 for another environmental position.)
G. Labor and Employment Law
G-1. A position with the Industrial Commission of Ohio. The extern will research issues related to Ohio’s workers’ compensation law and will participate in the preparation for workers’ compensation hearings.
G-2. A position with the State Personnel Board of Review--an administrative law court affording due process to civil service employees. The externship focuses on employment law; projects include drafting bench orders and administrative adjudicatory opinions, drafting legal memoranda, and special projects (ie. tracking legislative matters and monitoring appellate cases).
G-3. Two positions with the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association Legal and Dispute Resolution Departments. The extern would be involved in litigation preparation including possibly SERB appeals, opinion writing, and legal research. The student will also be involved in the research and support of arbitration and mediation presentations, will develop and write arbitration summaries, and participate in contract negotiations and related matters. (Office is located near Polaris Mall).
G-5. A position with the State Employment Relations Board. The extern will have the opportunity to assist in and observe a variety of public sector labor relations matters, such as an unfair labor practice hearing, a representation case hearing, a fact-finding or conciliation proceeding, representation case elections, an investigation, a public Board meeting, and an oral argument.
G.6A position with the Ohio Nurses Association., a professional association which provides collective bargaining services. The extern would work with the association’s lawyers on labor contracts, i.e negotiation, grievances and arbitrations. The extern might help with researching arbitration facts or legal issues and could help with writing a brief. EF (located Main St on other side of Bexley)
G 7 NEW SITE A position with the Ohio Troopers Ass’n, an organization that represents Highway Patrol Troopers in grievances (involving discipline and contract issues) up through arbitration. An extern at this site might review grievance files and outline strengths/weaknesses, research prior arbitration decisions for impact on present cases and help prepare state filings, and view arbitrations or contract negotiations. Preference for student with employee- centered interest in Labor Law or Labor/Employment Law concentration.(located on Busch Blvd)
(See also D7,I-4(d) K1 for other labor/employment positions.)
H. Legislative and Government ----- and Health Care Law
H-1. A position with the City of Columbus, Department of Law. The extern will work on one
or lawsuits, brief issues, attend depositions, analyze deposition transcripts, and assist with discovery. Students may work on issues involving liquor license, age discrimination, etc.
H-2. A position with the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency’s Office of Counsel. This office provides advice and counsel to the federal government on a wide range of legal issues, including contract law, employment law, and tort law. The office acts as “general counsel” to the federal government. The extern will be involved in legal research and writing and identifying and explaining emerging areas of law. Prerequisites: The student selected must be at least a second year Spring student, must also obtain temporary security clearance and be within the top third of the class. (Located in Bexley)
[Site always takes students Spring term and sometimes other terms, subject to check.]
H-3 A position with the Ohio Secretary of State, Elections and/or Business Services Division. The extern will assist the Legal Counsel in performing legal research on case law and statutes. The extern may be asked to research responses to questions from boards of elections, campaign finance examiners, and members of the public. The extern might also assist counsel with legal questions relating to the business services aspect of the office.
H-4 Two positions with the Mayor Coleman’s Policy Office –City of Columbus. The Mayor’s Policy Team researches proposed city initiatives, advises the Mayor on the status of city projects and proposed legislation, and acts as the liaison between the Mayor’s office and the city departments. The extern at this site would research and prepare short memos regarding City projects, follow and report on legislation from departments to Council sessions, and would be welcome to attend Policy meetings, Council sessions, and meetings on legislation planning. EF
H-5 Two positions with the Legal Office of Ohio Governor. This office provides legal advice to the Governor and Governor’s staff about legislation, clemency applications, executive orders, judicial appointments and state litigation. The extern will provide research in these areas and monitor recent legislation and law. Site prefers students who can schedule site hours on two days a week.
H-6a. A position with the Ohio House of Representatives-- Republican Caucus-Legal. In this externship the student will be involved in legal research about pending and developing legislation, may be assigned for part of the time to a Republican/ Democrat Representative and do some constituent research, and will attend committee hearings. It is recommended that the student have time available on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday mornings when most of the legislative action occurs. [Not available Summer Term]
H-6b A position with the Ohio House of Representatives-- Democratic Caucus-Legal. In this externship the student will be involved in legal research about pending and developing legislation, may be assigned for part of the time to a Republican/ Democrat Representative and do some constituent research, and will attend committee hearings. It is recommended that the student have time available on Tuesdays and Wednesday or Thursday mornings when most of the legislative action occurs. [Not available Summer Term]
H 6c A position in the office of Representative Scott Oelslager (Rep), a legislator in the Ohio House of Representatives (from North Canton area) and Cap Law alumnae. At this site you would assist with research about bills before the House and attend and research issues that arise from Committee meetings – such as the Civil and Commercial Law committee that is chaired by Rep. Oelslager—involving, for example, issues about the False Claims Act or Management of Institutional funds etc. The student at this site should have Wed. afternoons available for committee meetings and could front load summer term hours.
H-7 NEW S ITE-A position with Ohio’s Office of Budget and Management, an office that provides financial management and policy analysis to the Governor and State Agencies. The extern there would review pending legislation affecting the use of state resources, assist with drafting contracts and assist with researching and drafting state-wide policies affecting state budget matters. Extern might get to see transactional negotiations and legislative hearings.
H-8 One position with the Administration and Development Department of Whitehall City Government. The extern would work on matters involving contract and legislative drafting, and zoning research/ interpretation. In addition there might be projects re negotiating Joint Economic Development Districts and Tax Increment Financing Districts, or offering technical assistance to fledging non-profit development corporations sponsored by the City. The extern might research questions regarding eminent domain - weighing the changes in the law as it relates to specific sites/goals of the city, review/ revise zoning and subdivision regulations, or help with lobbying efforts at the federal and state levels and with local jurisdictions and property owners within Whitehall to find new resources to protect and maintain aging infrastructure.
H-9 through H-10 [TBA]…………………….
H-11 A position with the Ohio Hospital Association. This group is a state level association that represents hospitals and health systems and provides leadership on legal issues in the health care industry. It advocates before legislative and regulatory agencies in federal and state government and also conducts a litigation assistance program for member hospitals and health systems. An extern at this site might review and analyze proposed legislation, participate in advocacy before Ohio General Assembly or state agencies. The extern would also help research health-care related issues such as the legal liability of physicians/ hospitals in rationing medical services during a public health emergency such as a bird flu pandemic or bioterrorism; or prepare memos summarizing Ohio law--e.g., informed consent for minors-- or prepare answers for health care professionals on "frequently asked legal questions".
H-12 A position with the Ohio State Medical Association. The OSMA is a professional non-profit association for physicians and medical students. An extern at this site might perform legal research about health care related issues in response to a physician or public inquiry, or research policy issues about the regulation of medicine. The extern might have limited opportunity to attend meetings and legislative sessions. [Located in Hilliard just off Rte #33].
H-13 A position with the Health Policy Institute of Ohio. HPIO is a non profit, nonpartisan Ohio Center that analyzes key health issues for policymakers and state agencies and includes the examination of statutory issues, court decisions and other legal questions relating to health care issues. An extern at this site might create abstracts of legal decisions that affect heath policy making in Ohio or evaluate legal issues related to privacy and e-health initiatives such as electronic health records, as an example, as well as attend strategy meetings or legislative hearings. EF
H-14 A position with Ohio Health Corporation, a large non-profit healthcare system made up of hospitals and various affiliates. The extern at this site would do a variety of legal work including possibly basic contract review, research and writing related to healthcare regulations affecting patient care and review of legal malpractice actions. Available periodically and only to students with significant health background experience.
[See also F-6 for another health law related site.]
I. Business-Financial-Commerce-Real Estate-Patents/IP-Insurance .
I-1. Two positions with the Division of Financial Institutions of the Department of Commerce. The extern will work on projects concerning the substantive laws affecting that division, including laws dealing with banks, savings and loans, savings banks, credit unions, and consumer finance entities and especially licensing of loan officers and mortgage brokers. Projects will involve research, drafting memoranda and possibly helping promulgate administrative rules.-Interview reqd.
I-2. Two positions with the Division of Administration of the Department of Commerce. The extern will work on a range of projects involving areas such as employment law, industrial compliance, and fire regulations. Projects will involve research, drafting memos and opinion letters, and helping to promulgate administrative rules.-Interview reqd.
I-3. One position with the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing for the Ohio Department of Commerce. This Division licenses real estate brokers and appraisers, registers property located out of state but marketed in Ohio and enforces statutes on cemetery operation. It participates in a complaint, investigation and hearing process for violations. The extern at this site may research related issues, draft case fact summaries and hearing dispositions, and review investigation recommendations. The extern will have opportunities to observe administrative hearings and may get to observe legal strategy discussions or observe depositions in cases in which the Division has intervened. -Interview reqd.
I-4 One or two positions with Battelle Memorial Institute, an organization which performs research and development for the government and private sponsors and accordingly has the full range of legal work involving contracts, human resources, mergers and acquisitions, environmental, intellectual property and patents.
The Battelle externships will be in four potential areas: a) Patent/Intellectual Property Law; b) Business Tax/Mergers; and c) General Business including Government Contracts.d) employee benefits law.
- In the patent/intellectual property law area, the extern might research patent law issues, help draft preliminary patentability opinions, perform technical searches, interview inventors or search for similar inventions to assess patentability etc. This extern should be interested in pursuing IP or patent law and have a technical or science background. [List background and coursework on separate page on application.]
- In the business tax/merger area, the student may help with research involving cutting edge relationships between tax exempt and for-profit entities and/or involving sophisticated tax planning, and also may help with due diligence reviews, etc. The student should have an interest in this kind of law and have taken coursework in both business and tax. [List courses on the application.]
- In the general corporate area the student might do research for preliminary legal opinions involving government contracts, HR, and environmental law and should have taken some business coursework and have an interest in pursuing business law. [Describe on applic.]
- New Site! In the Corporate Benefits Finance Department the student would assist Battelle attorneys with their work in BMI ERISA law and other corporate legal issues related to employee benefits law.
Specify a), b), or c) on form. Site usually requires that externship be taken for 3 credit hours, prefers a second/third year student and requires a security clearance. This site is located on King Ave near Olentangy River Rd. Note that for this site Cap Externship program selects the student to be recommended for interview and Battelle determines whether to make offer for an externship . Back-up externship placement will be available if needed.
I-5 Two positions with the Legal Claims Division of Grange Insurance which supervises lawsuits involving the insurer and insureds. The extern at this site might provide research of legal issues, help organize briefs on various issues and may get to attend some depositions, mediations, or trials. One EF position possible.
I-6 A position with In House Counsel for American Kidney Stone Management, Ltd.--a company that partners with physicians and hospital systems to provide equipment, technical personnel and management services to health care facilities for Greenlight laser, cryosurgery, brachotherapy, etc.. The legal staff of this company reviews the contracts and private placements for the company’s services and reviews all documents that create new companies. It also insures the company exists within the limits of Federal and State laws. An extern might be asked to help review federal and state laws for compliance in developing joint ventures business relationships or review and prepare changes to contracts. An extern could also have the opportunity to observe negotiations for new contracts with healthcare facilities and observe interactions with compliance officers or outside counsel on various issues.
I-7 NEW S ITE- A position with the Ohio Office of Budget and Management which provides financial management and policy analysis to the Governor and state agencies and helps ensure responsible use of state monies. The extern might assist with drafting contracts, or research issues connected to pending legislation involving use of state resources or to state wide policies affecting state budget matters. The extern could attend meetings on transactional matters and legislative hearings on budget related legislation.
J. Family & Youth Services-Poverty Law-Immigration
J-1. A position with the Ohio Department of Youth Services. The extern will research legal issues with regard to juvenile rights, will help evaluate and write department policies and procedures, and may assist with the Department’s Youth Grievance Program.
J-2. Several positions with the National Center for Adoption Law on Policy (NCALP). Located here at CULS, the NCALP is the nation's only entity exclusively dedicated to the systemic reform of child welfare and adoption law. The extern will assist with research, advocacy and educational projects. Assignments may involve legal analysis, legislative advocacy and program support and design. Externs may indicate a preferred topic area (e.g. abused & neglected kids; international adoption; racial issues; etc.) or may choose from a list of projects proposed by the Center staff. EF
J-3 A position with Ohio CASA/GAL Association, which is a nonprofit organization that oversees county Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem volunteer programs throughout Ohio. Externs will gain experience researching issues and legislation pertaining to non-profit organizations, child abuse/neglect, and adoption law. Externs will work primarily
with the state office but will also have contact with some of the county court-based programs. [ German Village Office] Unstructured so a self-starter is preferred. EF
J-4 A position with the Family Advocacy Clinic, which represents clients with domestic violence issues. The extern will help with record analysis, client consultation and legal research and will have the opportunity to observe some court proceedings. [This is not the clinic internship in which students take an on case responsibility.] EF
J-5 A position with the Equal Justice Foundation (EJF). The EJF is a non-profit organization providing legal representation in civil matters to disadvantaged individuals and groups through out the State of Ohio. The extern can expect direct involvement in client and case development including legal research, drafting of discovery documents and pleadings, interviewing clients and witnesses, document review, and trial preparation.
J-6 A position with the Legal Aid Society of Columbus. At this site the extern will use legal skills and expertise to improve the quality of life for the poor and powerless. Areas of representation may involve issues in family law, housing law, public benefits, as well as consumer and senior law. One position is with Legal Aid’s Housing Unit. It will provide client contact, community education of tenants, some motion practice and research and some shadowing/courtroom experience. There will be opportunities to work on cases from start to finish and learn to apply skills in interviewing clients, to work with court personnel, and do research/writing. Position concentrates on housing conditions and subsidized housing issues. Students with intern license will be able to carry a case with experienced co-counsel as a guide.
J-7 A position with Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation. This organization takes a statewide leadership role in seeking to increase participation and to develop local pro bono programs. An extern would gather info about levels of pro bono participation, and assist in legislative efforts to increase funding as well as research relevant ethics rules in connection with this mission.
J-8 A position with the Ohio State Legal Services Association. A non profit that is the resource center for legal aid programs throughout Ohio. The office assists the legal aid field attorney, provides skill training, provides legislative advocacy and writes manuals for legal staff and clients. The extern will assist with legal research and staff community education material.
J-9 A position with Low Income Taxpayer Clinic under the arm of the Ohio State Legal Services Association/Southeastern Ohio Legal Services. The student extern would work on cases with the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic which handles controversies between the low-income taxpayer and the IRS. The student would get work with clients and help with IRS appeals, audits/examinations and collection alternatives. This will involve direct client contact, legal tax research, involvement with IRS negotiations and advocacy. Possible opportunities to see administrative appeals or tax court hearings.
J-10 Two positions with Community Refugee and Immigration Services. The CRIS mission is to provide services to refugees and immigrants in the Columbus community and includes legal work representing clients in immigration court and helping clients obtain citizenship, green cards and asylum. The extern at this site would help with legal research, help interview and follow-up with clients and might have the opportunity to attend hearings in immigration court. The student should have some time available on Tuesdays or Thursdays [ 9am -7 pm] when clients come to the office. Second languages not necessary but much appreciated . Also presents the opportunity to work with an Equal Justice Fellow to develop and disseminate information about immigrant rights and civil rights to women form the Horn of Africa. Immigration Law class is required for general position, but not for the work with the Equal Justice Fellow. Located.on Bexvie Ave on the Eastside near Whitehall. EF
J-11 The Ohio Dept of Jobs and Family Services. This agency oversees Medicaid, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, the Ohio Works Jobs program, Unemployment Compensation programs, Food Stamps and other Welfare programs, Child Support, Foster Care, etc., for the state of Ohio. The extern there would help with research and attend meetings involving a variety of these programs.
[Also see A-9, B-8 for sites involving law related to Children]
K. Dispute Resolution & Mediation
K-1. A position with the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association’s Automotive Consumer Action Program (AUTOCAP). The extern will work with AUTOCAP, which is a third party mediation system sponsored by the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association in conjunction with the Ohio system sponsored by the Attorney General’s Office. The extern will work to improve dealer/customer relations by providing review and mediation of motor vehicle disputes. Preference given to students who have mediation training or experience (please note training or experience in an attached memo). [Located at 270 and 71]
K-2 Franklin County Municipal Court Small Claims Division and Dispute Resolution Department. This site provides administrative and mediation support to the Court’s mediation program. Externs will have the opportunity to collect data to evaluate mediation program components, interview citizens and assist them to participate in mediations, answer questions about the small claims process and small claims cases, help with administration of the mediation program and help mediate cases in pre-filing and day of trial small claims mediation programs.
EF [need Thursday evening available]
K-3 The Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution. This site is an independent state agency that provides programs and training to schools, courts and state and local governments about dispute resolution. It also provides direct mediation, facilitation and other neutral 3 rd party services. The extern at this site would assist with the mediation caseload getting the opportunity to observe, and also help with the upcoming, annual training program for elected officials.
[Also see B-3 and G-3 for positions involving mediation.]
L. Miscellaneous
L-1. A position with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. The extern will research unique legal issues on both procedural and substantive matters relating to a variety of claims, such as tenure disputes and employment, sex and housing discrimination claims; the extern may also read and outline deposition transcripts and help the chief hearing examiner draft findings of fact.
L-2. A position with the Ohio Department of Public Safety---an umbrella agency that oversees Ohio’s Homeland Security Division, Emergency Management Administration, the Ohio Safety Patrol, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and Investigative Units that enforce liquor and gambling laws, among others. The extern would research a variety of topics such as law enforcement, constitutional law, traffic law, employment law. More specifically the extern might research issues like avian flu, the legality of quarantine, search and seizure etc. The extern also might help draft changes to legislation in these areas. (Located on W. Broad Street near Grandview)
L-3. A position with the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel involving utility law. The extern would provide assistance to the Consumers’ Counsel Legal Division on a wide array of litigation-oriented projects involving telecommunication and energy law, including legal writing and research for cases before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, the Supreme Court of Ohio and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The extern may be requested to assist in hearing preparation, including review of discovery materials, review of witness testimony, and review of documents relevant to litigation in which the agency is involved.
L-4. A position with Columbus Public Schools, Legal Department. The extern would do research and help prepare legal documents involving state standards, various legislation requirements and might attend and occasionally assist counsel at hearings about special education placements/services or expulsions . The student might also be involved in hearings about CPS employees before various boards such as State Employment Relations Board or the Civil Service Board. ( Students working in Columbus Public Schools are not eligible). EF possible.
L-5. A position with the Tobacco Policy Center . This site at CULS provides legal, legislative drafting and policy advice, all aimed at reducing tobacco use and the effects of such use. The Center will appear as amicus curiae in important legislation likely to have substantial impact in the law of tobacco use, advertising and other regulation. It will also act as an information sharing collaborative aimed at having an impact in the legislative, judicial and administrative areas. A student extern would assist in the research and writing of public policy papers, legislative initiatives and judicial briefs. EF
L-6 The Legal Department of the Columbus Bar Association which investigates and prosecutes ethical misconduct of attorneys on behalf of the Supreme Court before a Grievance Board. It also has several alternative dispute resolution programs to help attorneys and clients resolve disputes. At this site the extern might get involved in various aspects of the disciplinary process such as talk with grievants who allege unethical conduct by their attorney, assist in drafting correspondence and trial pleadings and assist with trial preparation--attending depositions, preparing exhibits, and contacting witnesses and possibly attending and assisting with the preparation of hearings. The site also has some special projects such as the CBA Task Force on Senior Lawyers which has been working to identify and implement innovative programs to address the challenges and opportunities posed by the phenomenon of baby boom generation reaching full maturity. The group is led by a number of prominent bar leaders.
L-7 The Ohio Ethics Commission is a behind- the- scenes, ethics- monitoring state agency authorized to educate about and assist in enforcing the ethics laws prohibiting conflicts of interest, nepotism and other abuses by public officials at all levels of government.. An extern at this site would research issues related to investigations of wrongful conduct; and research matters such as the applicability of financial disclosure requirements to the members of various state boards and commissions. The extern may prepare memos about such obligations and have the opportunity to attend Ethics Commission meetings and present research findings and recommendations. EF
Note:
L-8 Sports Law—externship at NCAA Compliance Office OSU [ Feb Application to OSU Compliance Office] [if accepted credits available through Cap Law externship program.]
[ Externship
Application (PDF) ]
