| LW.12813 / LW.12814 Professor Alice Fontier Professor Emily Ponder Williams Open to 3L and 2L students; LL.M.s if space permits* Maximum of 8 students |
Fall semester 5 credits** No prerequisites or co-requisites. |
Course Description
Fieldwork
In the fieldwork portion of the externship, students can expect to spend approximately 10-12 hours per week engaging in all aspects of individual client representation in police misconduct litigation and holistic advocacy. Students will directly represent clients under the supervision of the professors and in collaboration with Bronx Defenders attorneys. We expect that students will conduct client intake, perform investigations, identify claims and develop case strategy, file Notices of Claim against New York City, prepare and defend clients in depositions, handle settlement negotiations, and participate in state and federal police misconduct litigation. Some fieldwork, such as client meetings and hearings, may require presence in the Bronx and at the Bronx Defenders, while other fieldwork may be completed remotely.
Seminar
The classroom component of the externship will equip students with the context and tools required to engage deeply in each area of fieldwork and develop practical lawyering skills. In the first semester component, students will gain familiarity with critical legal issues as well as practical lawyering skills necessary for their fieldwork, such as witness preparation, negotiation techniques, ethics, and trauma-informed lawyering. Students will also reflect on the demands and constraints of their role as lawyers as it relates to their clients, opposing counsel, and the systems within which they are working.
Application Procedure
Students should submit the standard application, resume, and transcript online through CAMS. Please indicate in your application whether you are interested in the advanced course as well as the introductory course.
* Consult the Clinics Open to LL.M. Students page to see if the clinic is available to LL.M.s in the current year. Please note there is a separate application form for LL.M.s. The deadline is different from that for JDs and is posted on the Clinic Application Timelines page.
** 5 credits include 3 clinical (fieldwork) credits and 2 academic seminar credits. The externship fieldwork is assessed on a credit/fail basis. The seminar receives a letter grade based on class participation, completion of in-class exercises, and submission of writing assignments and self-evaluation. The Advanced course carries the same credits.