The responsibility of a judicial law clerk is to aid the judge primarily through research and writing. This program offers the students an opportunity to observe and participate in both criminal and civil litigation from the judicial point of view. Advanced students with good academic credentials are preferred. Students gain a deeper appreciation of the need for legal representation of persons who cannot afford legal representation on their own. Students learn to interview and counsel clients and to identify and explain to the client the pertinent factual and legal issues as well as available remedies.
Students develop the ability to negotiate competently and successfully on behalf of the client.
The practice is very diverse and involves relative petitions, asylums, deportations, exclusions, student visas, work petitions and extensive appellate practice. Student responsibilities include client interview and preparation of pleadings, as well as legal research and brief writing. Opportunity for participation in administrative and Federal Court proceedings is also available. The Federal Defenders Office represents indigent defendants before the U.S. District Court. Students enrolled in this program will work under the supervision of the staff attorneys.