Internship programs provide opportunities for students to obtain academic credit for working with a non-profit organization, government agency, or court. No compensation may be received for internships. Students are eligible to enroll in all internships after completing two semesters. All internships require an application (available in the Student Affairs Office). Students should consult the on-line course descriptions for full information about each internship program.
For more information contact Eden Harrington, Director of Clinical Programs, eharrington@law.utexas.edu, 232-7068.
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Taught by Eden Harrington
UT joins with the Texas Access to Justice Commission and other law schools to offer this internship focused on increasing access to justice. Students receive academic credit for working full-time with non-profit providers of civil legal services to low-income individuals. Each student works under the supervision of an experienced attorney in the offices of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid or Texas Civil Rights Project South Texas (placements in East Texas may also be available)..
Details regarding credit and requirements will be developed in late fall. The Law School will provide a stipend of $700/month to UT students to help defray their unusual living expenses for this out-of-town internship. Only 2-3 students from each school will be accepted.
Full Course Description: (Summer 2007) | Internship website
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Taught by Karen Engle, Patricia I. Hansen, Eden Harrington and Derek Jinks
The Law School sponsors a number of international clerkship/fellowship opportunities (described at www.utexas.edu/law/academics/international/intern.html), including:
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Taught by Mary Crouter
During the fall and spring semesters, this program has two components: a 1-credit course and an internship with a court for either 3 or 4 credits. Students must register for both components (graded pass/fail), earning a total of 4 or 5 credits. During the summer no course is required and students receive 3 credits for their internship (and must register for the course and pay tuition).
Interns work directly with judges and their legal staffs and synthesize analytical, research and writing skills. Interns typically also observe and discuss court proceedings, the role of lawyers, and advocacy skills. Internships are available in Austin at the U.S. District Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, Third Court of Appeals, Travis County Probate Court, and the State Office of Administrative Hearings. Summer students may receive credit for interning at state appellate courts or federal courts outside of Austin, subject to the instructor's approval. Students must be selected by a sponsoring court before registration is permitted.
Full Course Description: (Spring 2007, Summer 2007, Fall 2007 ) | Internship website
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Taught by Mary Crouter and Eden Harrington
The Texas Legislature will be in session during the spring of 2007, which provides unique educational opportunities for students. Interns study the legislative process by working on legal issues under the supervision of experienced attorneys in offices connected to the Legislature. Students may be placed in the Lieutenant Governor's office, a Senator's office, a Representative's office, a committee office, or a legislative agency. This course is not intended for students employed in connection with the legislative session, nor is it intended for students with extensive experience working as a law clerk in a legislative office. There are no pre-requisites, but students who have taken Senator Brown's Legislative Process class are particularly encouraged to apply.
Full Course Description: (Fall 2006, Spring 2007) | Internship website
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Taught by Eden Harrington
This course has two components: a pass/fail internship and a classroom course. During the fall and spring the internship may be taken for 2 or 3 credits, and the course is a graded 3-credit writing seminar on Public Service Lawyering. During the summer, the internship is 3 credits and the class is 1 credit.
Interns work under the supervision of experienced attorneys in non-profits or government agencies, gaining experience that the students reflect upon in class. The course addresses topics relevant to lawyering and the legal profession including ethics, advocacy skills, access to justice, the lawyering role, etc. The instructor consults with each student to develop an appropriate field placement. Past placements have included: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Women’s Advocacy Project, Office of the Governor, Texas Civil Rights Project, Texas Secretary of State, etc.
Full Course Description: (Spring 2007, Summer 2007, Fall 2007)
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Taught by Robert Kepple and Mindy Montford McCracken
This course educates students on the substantive law and legal issues commonly encountered in criminal prosecution, and familiarizes students with the unique duties and responsibilities of a criminal prosecutor as both an advocate and a minister of justice. Each student is assigned to a trial court in the Travis County District Attorney’s office and is supervised by prosecutors assigned to the court. Students experience all aspects of the day-to-day functions of the public prosecutor. Some students may have the opportunity to actively participate in courtroom proceedings.
The course has two components (graded pass/fail): a class offered for 2 credits in the fall and 1 credit in the summer, and a 3-credit internship in the D.A.’s Office. The course is open to students who have completed two semesters, but preference is given to students who have 43 credit hours. It is strongly recommended that students have completed Evidence prior to this internship.
Full Course Description: (Summer 2007)
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Taught by Susan Klein
Students may earn up to four hours of pass/fail credit for a two-semester internship with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Austin. The internship requires a commitment to work 10 hours per week for two consecutive semesters. Interns receive two credits per semester. Interns must also enroll in a Fall 2-unit course, Advanced Federal Criminal Prosecution, taught by Prof. Susan Klein and AUSA Anthony Brown. All applicants must undergo a FBI background check, so students should apply several months in advance. Information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office is available at www.usdoj.gov/usao/txw/.
Full Course Description: (Spring 2007, Summer 2007, Fall 2007, ) | Website