Professors Mariana Hogan, Craig Landy

The four‑credit course combines placement with a state or federal judge in New York City or surrounding jurisdictions with a related seminar. Students work with the judge or on placement work for at least twelve hours a week and attend a weekly two‑hour seminar. The seminar offers student externs instruction in research and legal writing for a judge and a broad per­spec­tive on the judicial system. Topics that may be explored include opinion writing; bench memos; judicial selection processes; judicial ethics and oversight; judicial decision‑making; the role of the judge in settlement, pre‑trial, and trial processes; the effects of the judge’s demeanor on the judicial process; public perception of judges; bias in the judicial system; and the effectiveness of the judicial system. The format of the class varies but may include discussion, simulation, use of video, and role‑plays. The seminar requires a significant amount of writing and may include in‑class presentations and individual meetings with faculty members. Under certain circum­stances, with the permission of the Director of Externship Programs, students may elect a two‑credit option in which they work in an approved judicial placement, meet with a faculty tutor, keep time sheets, and carry out specified written assignments (in addition to their writing at the placement), but do not attend the seminar. Students taking this two‑credit option during the school year work with the judge or on placement work at least twelve hours a week. The two‑credit option is often most suitable as a summer program, however, and students who take this course during the summer are ordinarily expected to work at least 24 hours a week during a 7‑week‑long summer placement. 2 seminar credits are graded and 2 place­ment credits are pass/fail. Placement credits do not involve scheduled classes. No more than 14 placement credits may count toward the J.D. Students interested in pursuing judicial externships and clerkships should consider taking Drafting: Judicial Opinions (LWR 350).