Section of Litigation Judicial Intern Opportunity Program

The American Bar Association Section of Litigation will begin accepting applications for its Summer 2012 Judicial Intern Opportunity Program on November 1st for second-year law students. Applications for first-year law students will be accepted December 1st, in accordance with NALP guidelines.  The program is a full-time (32 hours per week), six-week minimum, summer internship program open to all first-or second-year minority and/or economically disadvantaged law students. 

The mission of the Judicial Intern Opportunity Program is to provide opportunities to students who are members of racial and ethnic groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the profession.  The program also provides opportunities to students with disabilities, students who are economically disadvantaged and students who identify themselves as LGBT.  To assist students in identifying how they qualify for this program, please review the enclosed information on eligibility

Participating judges are from:
           Phoenix, AZ
           Los Angeles, CA
           San Francisco, CA
           Washington, DC
           Miami, FL
           Illinois
           Philadelphia, PA
           Texas
           Seattle, WA

Students may indicate geographic location preferences on their applications, but may not request particular judges or courts.  Interns will receive an award of $1,500.   

Internships for students with an Intellectual Property Law focus will be offered in Chicago, Los Angeles, Texas and Washington, DC.  Students can indicate their interest on their application.  These specialized spots are limited and any student applying to the program with a request for specialization will also be considered for general litigation internships. 

Applications should be submitted by January 6, 2012.  Screening interviews will be used to better determine student qualifications.  Screening interviews will begin in November and will continue through the application process.  The first 500 applicants will be guaranteed at least one interview.  Additional applicants will be interviewed on an as needed basis.  Interviews will be scheduled as soon as possible following the processing of applications.  We will make every attempt to interview students where they attend school and in person.  Students will be contacted by their assigned screener to set up the interview.

Only qualified students will be sent on for judicial interviews.  Students will be notified when they are sent on for a judicial interview.  Judicial interviews will continue until all positions are filled.  All applicants will be notified when the program or certain locations have closed for the year and all positions are filled. 

The program is only open to students who have not previously participated as an intern in the program. 

The goal of the program is to place students from traditionally underrepresented groups in the legal profession.  Students should outline their qualifications for this program in their statement of interest.

Participating Judges

Participating judges will determine their process for interviews and selection.  Students will be forwarded to judges based on qualifications and the result of their screening interviews.  Not all students will be granted a judicial interview.  Students will be sent to judges in the locations they indicated on their application.  Students may select location but not individual courts.  Certain locations are more competitive than others.    

Judges selected for the program are selected for their mentoring skills.  Students may not select particular judges or courts.  Survey results from students in previous years indicate that it is the judge, not the type of court that provides quality experiences for students.  

Placements are available in the following courts:
           Arizona"  U.S. District Court, District of Arizona; Arizona Supreme Court; Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One; Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County.
           California:  Superior Court of California; County of Los Angeles; State of California Superior Court, Orange County; Los Angeles County Court; U.S. District Court, Central District of California; California Court of Appeals; 9th Circuit Court of Appeals; U.S, Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California; Los Angeles Superior Court; Superior Court of California, County of Alameda; Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco; U.S. District Court, Northern District of California; California Court of Appeals, 1st District.
           District of Columbia:  U.S. Court of Appeals, Armed Forces; Superior Court, District of Columbia; District of Columbia Court of Appeals; U.S. District Court, District of Columbia; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia; U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
           Florida:  Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court for the Southern District of Florida; and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami.
            Illinois:  U.S. District Court for the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and all Illinois Circuit Courts.
            Pennsylvania:  U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia. 
            Texas:  U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Western and Southern Districts of Texas, and Texas Civil District Courts.
            Washington:  U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington; Superior Court of King County; U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington; Washington State Court of Appeals, Division 1; Washington Supreme Court; Pierce County Super Court, Dept. 19.

Award

Interns will receive an award of $1,500.  Students may also elect to receive law school credit.  The award is intended to be the reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with placement in the program and will be paid to students at the close of the summer.  The awarding of law school credit is determined by the student’s law school.  Students must be a U.S. citizen and have a valid social security number in order to apply.  If a student is not a U.S. citizen but has a valid social security number and are able to earn income in the United States (non-restricted visa) they may also apply.  The program does not provide housing.

Time Commitment

The time commitment will vary by judge, subject to a full-time (32 hours), six-week minimum.  Individual judges will determine a student’s expected schedule.  Many judges require students to remain longer than six weeks.  Students will be expected to coordinate their schedules with their individual judge and to work the hours required by each judge.  Students should discuss any schedule restraints with the interviewing court prior to setting up and accepting a judicial interview.  Students may only select one internship with one judge through the program and may not split their summer between two different participating judges.

Application Requirements/Procedure

Students are strongly encouraged to apply early as the program has become more competitive and available positions fill quickly.  We will interview the first 500 applicants for consideration.  Additional applicants will be interviewed on an as-needed basis based upon location selection.  Our goal is to place 200 students in positions this summer.  To apply students must submit their application along with a resume, grades (second-year students), writing sample and a statement of interest. If students are also interested in being considered for one of the specialized intellectual property internships, they need to include an additional page outlining their interests and qualifications. All materials should be submitted no later than January 6, 2012.

Application Process

First Round Interviews

• First round interviews will be conducted either in person where the student attends law school, or by telephone.
• The interviewer (or assistant) will contact the student to set up an interview time and place.
• Students will be contacted once their application has been processed and a screener has been selected. 
• The interview will last approximately 30 minutes and is intended to give the student the opportunity to discuss program qualifications, skills, experience and interest in being an intern.
• Only students applying to the program by the stated deadline will be granted a screening interview.
• First round interviews are guaranteed to the first 500 applicants.  Additional applicants will be interviewed on an as-needed basis.   

Judges’ Interviews

• Candidates will be sent to judges based on qualifications and the results of their screening interview.  The most qualified applicants will be sent out for review first.   
• Certain locations are more competitive than others.  Students will be sent on for judicial interviews to locations they selected on their application however not all students will be sent to all locations selected because of the competitiveness of locations.
• Individual judges will determine which students they will interview and ultimately hire.  If a student has been selected for a judicial interview they will be notified either by the chamber or the program staff.
• Student materials will be sent to multiple judges.  Once a student is notified that they are being sent out for judicial review, we will continue to send out their materials to interested judges until all positions are filled in the locations they have selected.
• Most judicial interviews will be conducted in person in the judges’ chambers in the city selected for the internship.  They usually last approximately 30 minutes.  If personal interviews are not possible, they may be conducted by telephone.  Please remember that there is no reimbursement for any travel expenses.
• A small number of judges elect not to conduct interviews and will make offers based on the application and results of the screening interview. 
• Judicial interviews will continue until all judges have filled their positions. 
• Some judges may offer positions during the interview.  If a student is offered a position, they must either accept or decline within 24 hours.  If a student has individual constraints on their summer availability they should let the judge know prior to scheduling an interview.  Judges will determine the length of the internship and many judges expect students to stay longer than the six week minimum.
• If a student declines a position, they will be removed from consideration for other positions unless there are extenuating circumstances.
• Students may not accept more than one program position.

Final Selection of Interns

• Judges are expected to conclude their selection process by May.
• At that time all applicants will be notified as to whether or not they have been accepted into the program.  If a student is accepted into the program, it is assumed that they are committed to participate and fulfill the requirements outlined by the program and hiring judge.

Program Orientations

Welcome receptions and program orientations will be held in Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, DC in June. Students are expected to attend the program orientation.  In addition, supplemental programming will be made available to students.  Students are strongly encouraged to attend these programs.

Follow Up Procedures

Upon completion of the internship, students will be asked to complete a program evaluation form.  Interested students may join a JIOP alumni group to work on future program development.

Contact Information

Questions about the program can be directed to the Program Director, Gail Howard, at gail.howard@americanbar.org or 312-988-6348.