Field Placement Supervisor

District Court Judges and Law Clerks

Field Placement Office

500 Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

Field Placement Website

www.laed.uscourts.gov/Directories/alpha_judges.htm

Description of Field Work

Externs are placed in a judge’s chambers and work exclusively with the judge and law clerks. An externship in federal court provides insight into federal practice and judicial administration at the federal district court level. A Federal trial court externship offers a rich experience and varies depending upon each judge’s preference.The externship provides a unique opportunity to view a Federal judge engaged in daily decision-making and the disposition of cases. The externship offers practical insights into the process of adjudication, exposure to both criminal and civil cases and the opportunity to improve your legal research and writing skills. An externship in Federal Court is the closest approximation to a Federal clerkship.

A judicial extern is typically exposed to all aspects of the chambers similar to a Federal law clerk. The range of tasks can include evaluating substantive motions, conducting research and writing memoranda (“bench memos”) and drafting orders. Externs may also participate in conferences, both pre-trial and status conferences and settlement negotiations.

Externship Requirements

3L students with strong research and writing skills are encouraged to apply.   

Field Placement Supervisor

Judge Dennis and Law Clerks

Field Placement Office

600 Camp Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

Field Placement Website

http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/ 

Description of Field Work

Externs are placed in a judge’s chambers and work exclusively with the judge and law clerks. An externship in federal court provides insight into federal practice and judicial administration at the federal appellate level. A federal appeals court externship offers a rich experience and varies depending upon each judge’s preference.The externship provides a unique opportunity to view a Federal judge engaged in daily decision-making and the disposition of cases. The externship offers practical insights into the process of adjudication, exposure to both criminal and civil cases and the opportunity to improve your legal research and writing skills. An externship in Federal Court is the closest approximation to a Federal clerkship.

A judicial extern is typically exposed to all aspects of the chambers similar to a Federal law clerk. The range of tasks can include evaluating substantive motions, conducting research and writing memoranda (“bench memos”) and drafting orders. 

Externship Requirements

3L students with strong research and writing skills are encouraged to apply.   

Field Placement Supervisor

Judge Fredericka H. Wicker

Field Placement Office

101 Derbigny Street

Gretna, LA 70053

Field Placement Website

fifthcircuit.org

Description of Field Work:

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal has appellate jurisdiction over all civil matters, all matters appealed from family and juvenile courts, and most criminal cases that are tryable by a jury. The court also has supervisory jurisdiction to review interlocutory orders and decrees in cases which are heard in the trial courts within its geographical circuit (Jefferson, St. Charles, St. James and St. John the Baptist).   One unique feature of the Courts of Appeal of Louisiana is that they are able to review questions of fact, as well as questions of law, in civil cases. In appeals of criminal cases, however, the appellate jurisdiction of the courts of appeal extends only to questions of law.  Externs will assist Judge Wicker and law clerks with drafting bench memos, legal research, summarizing records, judicial administrative tasks; opportunity for exposure to both criminal and civil cases and a wide range of issues; opportunity to attend oral arguments.

Externship Requirements:

Seeks externs with strong research and writing skills.

Field Placement Supervisor

Chambers:  varies

Jane Macke, Assistant Director, Central Staff

William Margolies, Director, Central Staff

Field Placement Office

410 Royal Street

New Orleans, LA 70130

Field Placement Website

http://www.la4th.org

Description of Field Work

Chambers: The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal has appellate jurisdiction over all civil matters, all matters appealed from family and juvenile courts, and most criminal cases that are tryable by a jury. The court also has supervisory jurisdiction to review interlocutory orders and decrees in cases which are heard in the trial courts within its geographical circuit (Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Bernard).   One unique feature of the Courts of Appeal of Louisiana is that they are able to review questions of fact, as well as questions of law, in civil cases. In appeals of criminal cases, however, the appellate jurisdiction of the courts of appeal extends only to questions of law. Externs provide the court with procedural and substantive legal advice regarding the disposition and efficient completion of cases. They review, summarize, research, and analyze matters before the court. Their research and recommendations assist the court in resolving legal arguments presented and in deciding cases expeditiously. They conduct legal research; review case records and filings, and analyze options; draft legal memoranda and propose opinions and orders and discuss legal analysis with judges and law clerks.

Central Staff:  Externs will research legal issues arising from writs filed in the Court and provide memorandum on the issues. Students will learn about writ and appeal procedure, and will be exposed to both criminal and civil law issues.

Extern Qualifications

Chambers:  Externs placed in the chambers of an appellate judge will learn about the role of appellate review and how appellate review serves numerous functions such as the correction of errors committed by the trial court, the development of the law and precedent to be followed and anticipated in future disputes, and achieving uniformity across courts. Externs will work exclusively with the judge and court staff and will primarily review writ applications and write reports that are circulated to all the Judges.  All areas of law are involved, civil and criminal. Students with strong research and writing skills are encouraged to apply. 

Central Staff:  This placement is primarily for 2Ls who have taken a course in either criminal procedure or Louisiana civil procedure. Students with strong research and writing skills are encouraged to apply. 

Field Placement Supervisor

Erin Tremain, Assistant Director 

Greg Attanasio, Staff Attorney 

Field Placement Office

400 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

Field Placement Website

http://www.lasc.org

Description of Field Work

Externs placed in the chambers of a Louisiana Supreme Court Justice will work exclusively with the judge and court staff.  An externship in the state Supreme Court will provide a better understanding of the judicial process at the highest court in the state.  The externship will offer practical insights into the process of appellate practices, knowledge of both criminal and civil law, and improvement in your legal research and writing skills. Externs will primarily review writ applications and write reports that are circulated to all the Justices.  All areas of law are involved, civil and criminal. 

Externs placed with the Central Staff will primarily review criminal writ applications and write reports that are circulated to all the Justices.  Externs will learn what makes a good writ, what the Justices look for, how to select the important aspects of a case and how to write succinctly. 

Externship Requirements

Judicial Chambers:  Proficiency in legal research and writing skills, including attention to detail are crucial. 

Central Staff:  Prefer externs who have taken constitutional criminal procedure and/or other advanced criminal law. Students with hands on criminal law experience (i.e., a judicial clerkship or work at a public defender’s or district attorney’s office) are encouraged to apply. Proficiency in legal research and writing skills, including attention to detail are crucial.

Field Placement Supervisor

Division “B”: Hon. Rachael Johnson, Law Clerks and Staff

Division “D”: Hon. Nakisha Ervin-Knott, Law Clerks and Staff

Division “G”: Hon. Robin M. Giarrusso, Law Clerks and Staff

Division “I”:  Hon. Piper D. Griffin, Law Clerks and Staff

Field Placement Office

421 Loyola Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70112    

Field Placement Website

http://www.orleanscdc.com/

Description of Field Work

Externs are placed in the judge’s chambers and work exclusively with the judge and court staff. An externship in Orleans Civil District Court will provide a better understanding of state practice, specifically the administrative details of how a judge may maintain the courtroom and chambers. A state trial court externship offers a rich experience and varies depending upon each judge’s preference. The externship provides a unique opportunity to view a state judge while operating through daily decision-making, disposition of cases and understanding the development of the law. The externship will offer practical insights into the process of adjudication, knowledge of civil law and procedure and improvement in your legal research and writing skills.  A judicial extern is typically exposed to all aspects of the chambers similar to a state law clerk. The range of tasks can include evaluating substantive motions, conducting research and writing memoranda (“bench memo”). Externs may also participate in conferences, both pre-trial and status conferences and settlement negotiations.

The bulk of the extern’s time will be spent on research/writing and observation of court proceedings and pre-trial conferences. 

Externship Requirements

Applicants who have taken Louisiana Civil Procedure and/or evidence will have an advantage. 2Ls and 3Ls with strong research and writing skills are encouraged to apply.

Field Placement Supervisor

Division “H” Domestic Relations:  Hon. Monique Barial, Law Clerks and Staff

Field Placement Office

421 Loyola Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70112    

Field Placement Website

http://www.orleanscdc.com/

Description of Field Work

Externs are placed in the judge’s chambers and work exclusively with the judge and court staff. An externship in Orleans Civil District Court will provide a better understanding of state practice, specifically the administrative details of how a judge may maintain the courtroom and chambers. A state trial court externship offers a rich experience and varies depending upon each judge’s preference. The externship provides a unique opportunity to view a state judge while operating through daily decision-making, disposition of cases and understanding the development of the law. The externship will offer practical insights into the process of adjudication, knowledge of civil law and procedure and improvement in your legal research and writing skills.  A judicial extern is typically exposed to all aspects of the chambers similar to a state law clerk. The range of tasks can include evaluating substantive motions, conducting research and writing memoranda (“bench memo”). Externs may also participate in conferences, both pre-trial and status conferences and settlement negotiations. 

The bulk of the extern’s time will be spent on research/writing and observation of court proceedings and pre-trial conferences. 

Domestic Relations Externs will work exclusively in the areas of divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, community property partition, and domestic violence.  While there is a limited variety in the applicable substantive law, externs will be exposed to a wide variety of factual scenarios.  Court is held almost every day, providing many opportunities to observe trials and hearings, and externs are frequently invited to sit in and observe pre-trial conferences in chambers.

Externship Requirements

Applicants who have taken family law, community property, Louisiana civil procedure and/or evidence will have an advantage. 2Ls and 3Ls with strong research and writing skills are encouraged to apply.

Field Placement Supervisor

Division “K” Domestic Relations:  Hon. Bernadette D’Souza, Law Clerks and Staff

Field Placement Office

421 Loyola Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70112    

Field Placement Website

http://www.orleanscdc.com/

Description of Field Work

Externs are placed in the judge’s chambers and work exclusively with the judge and court staff. An externship in Orleans Civil District Court will provide a better understanding of state practice, specifically the administrative details of how a judge may maintain the courtroom and chambers. A state trial court externship offers a rich experience and varies depending upon each judge’s preference. The externship provides a unique opportunity to view a state judge while operating through daily decision-making, disposition of cases and understanding the development of the law. The externship will offer practical insights into the process of adjudication, knowledge of civil law and procedure and improvement in your legal research and writing skills.  A judicial extern is typically exposed to all aspects of the chambers similar to a state law clerk. The range of tasks can include evaluating substantive motions, conducting research and writing memoranda (“bench memo”). Externs may also participate in conferences, both pre-trial and status conferences and settlement negotiations. 

Domestic Relations Externs will work exclusively in the areas of divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, community property partition, and domestic violence.  While there is a limited variety in the applicable substantive law, externs will be exposed to a wide variety of factual scenarios.  Court is held almost every day, providing many opportunities to observe trials and hearings, and externs are frequently invited to sit in and observe pre-trial conferences in chambers.

Externship Requirements

Applicants who have taken family law, community property, Louisiana Civil Procedure and/or evidence will have an advantage. 2Ls and 3Ls with strong research and writing skills are encouraged to apply.

Field Placement Supervisor Samantha Kuhn

Field Placement Office

Hale Boggs Federal Building 

500 Poydras Street, Suite 318

New Orleans, La. 70130

Field Placement Website

http://lae.fd.org/

Description of Field Work

Students work closely with attorneys and support staff in representing indigent clients facing federal criminal charges throughout all phases of the case. Although the emphasis is on research and writing, students can attend court proceedings and participate in client or witness interviews. 

Externship Requirements

Extern must have a strong commitment to indigent defense.

Field Placement Supervisor

Sandra Hightower, Deputy Regional Director

Field Placement Office

600 So. Maestri Place, 7th Floor
New Orleans, LA 70130

Field Placement Website

http://www.nlrb.gov/

Description of Field Work

Considers 3L’s only.  Investigate unfair labor practices; perform extensive legal research; write memorandums and final investigative reports; contact witnesses; prepare witness affidavits; assist attorneys with trial preparation; perform document review.  Within weeks of entering the externship program, externs have investigative case files assigned directly to them.  The externs work directly with a Regional Supervisor or Manager to learn NLRB practices and procedures.

Externship Requirements

A background check is required for this position, as well as a labor law course (pre or co-req). 

Field Placement Contact

Edward J. Rivera

Field Placement Office

650 Poydras Street, Suite 1600
New Orleans, LA 70130
Field Placement Website

http://www.justice.gov/usao/lae/

Description of Field Work

Typical assignments involved assisting with all aspects of criminal and civil case preparation, including researching legal issues, drafting/writing motions and responses and various pleadings, providing trial support to Assistant U.S. Attorneys, and assembling exhibits for trial. Students also observe trials in the U.S. District Court, matters before U.S. Magistrate Court, and appellate arguments at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Externship Requirements

The office welcomes 2L and 3L applicants and requires a two-semester commitment.  A 3.0 GPA for the applicants and an interest in criminal law are preferred. Also, having already taken evidence and criminal constitution and/or procedure classes are a plus (but not required).

Field Placement Supervisor

(Ms.) Kristen A. Lee, Deputy City Attorney

(Mr.) Derek M Meradal, Deputy City Attorney 

Field Placement Office

1300 Perdido St., Room 5E03
New Orleans, LA 70112

Field Placement Website

http://www.nola.gov/city-attorney/

Description of Field Work

 The City Attorney is responsible for directing and supervising the legal affairs of the City of New Orleans. The City Charter defines the duties of the City Attorney as follows:

• To provide legal advice to the Mayor, the Council, and other city offices, departments, and boards.
• To take charge of all legal matters in which the City has an interest or is a party.
• To prepare proposed ordinances upon request of the Mayor or City Councilmembers.
• To review all City contracts, documents and instruments creating any legal obligation affecting the City.
• The City Attorney’s Office has a dedicated team of public servants committed to providing aggressive and competent legal representation on behalf of the City of New Orleans.  

The Office represents the City of N.O. and is, in effect, representing the interests of the public, promoting public service to all citizens, including the underserved, and promotes justice and fairness to all litigating parties and stake holders in our City.  The office is involved in fast-paced litigation and externs assist attorneys with legal research and writing including brief writing; preparing and responding to written discovery; preparing deposition questions; witness preparation for depositions, hearings, trials; preparation of Bench Books and Witness & Exhibit Lists. The office typically handles Petitions for Review of Administrative Appeals; Requests for Temporary Restraining Orders and Injunctions; Civil Service Appeals; Alcohol and Beverage Appeals; Board of Zoning & Adjustments appeals; Constitutional, Civil Rights, Casualty, Housing and Contracts related cases.

Interns participate in scheduled field trips to Civil District Court, Orleans Parish Municipal and Traffic Court, Fourth Circuit Court of Appels for the State of Louisiana, and Louisiana State Supreme Court to observe court proceedings and to meet sitting judges and their staff. Externs are informed about office protocol and receive feedback and guidance throughout the externship

Externship Requirements

Background Check. In-Person. 2L’s and 3L’s considered. 

Externship Requirements

Ideally, student available Friday mornings for court observation.  Civil law preferred. Strong Research and writing skills preferred.

The ACLU is our nation’s guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and

communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws

of the United States guarantee everyone in this country. The ACLU of Louisiana has carried out this

mission on the state level since 1956, and remains at the forefront of the fight to preserve the civil

liberties of all Louisianans.

Scope:

Work under the supervision of the Staff Attorney in helping to fulfill the mission of the ACLU

of Louisiana.

Primary Duties:

Complaints: Read incoming complaints, and flag for Staff Attorney review any complaints with

possible constitutional violations.

Legal Research: Conduct factual and legal research and draft memoranda on potentially meritorious complaints, including conducting interviews with complainants. Assist with the drafting of pleadings on active cases as needed.

Special Projects or assignments: A special project may be assigned by the Staff Attorney. If an applicant has a particular project that he or she would like to propose, that proposal should be submitted in the application process.

Skills:

Ability to conduct comprehensive research and draft memoranda. Knowledge of ACLU issues, civil liberties and constitutional law.

https://aclujusticelab.org/cases/

Supervising Attorneys: Jennie Searcy

Location:

4200 S I-10 Service Rd. W, Suite 227 Metairie, LA 70001

Description: CCANO provides free and low-bono services to immigrant children and their families. We regularly represent children eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, asylum seekers, and victims of crimes, including domestic violence and human trafficking. We also represent clients with family-based petitions and citizenship applications.

Externs will receive hands on experience working with clients and will accompany staff attorneys to immigration court and juvenile court. Responsibilities may include legal research, drafting motions and briefs, preparing immigration forms, assisting with legal screenings to determine eligibility for relief, and community outreach.

Requirements: Applicants should be familiar with legal issues that impact immigrants and refugees. Proficiency in Spanish is preferred but not required. 

Field Placement Supervisor

Attorney Ranie T. Thompson, Director of Legal Services

Field Placement Office

Legal Services Department

1631 Elysian Fields Ave.

New Orleans, LA 70117

 Field Placement Website

https://crescentcarehealth.org/service/cc-legal-services/

Description of Office 

CrescentCare Legal Services (CCLS), a division of CrescentCare Health, has a long-standing history of protecting the rights of Louisiana residents living with HIV and AIDS.  CCLS formerly operated as AIDSLaw of Louisiana formed in 1989.  For more than 30 years, the firm has provided direct legal representation, impact litigation, advocacy, outreach and education aimed at broad change to benefit persons living with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable populations, including women and children and LGBTQ.  

As a medical-legal partnership, CCLS works with a team of medical providers, case managers, social workers and other supportive services providers to identify and address the social determinants of health for patient-clients in clinics and AIDS Service Organizations throughout Louisiana.  Practice areas include Discrimination (housing, employment, healthcare access), Privacy and Confidentiality of protected health information, Social Security and other public benefits, Estate Planning, Housing Rights, and Financial/Consumer Debt.

Description of Field Work

 CrescentCare’s Legal Services, a division of CrescentCare, is a medical legal partnership working directly with a team of medical providers, case managers, social workers and other supportive services providers to identify and address the social determinants of health for patient-clients in CrescentCare clinics and other community-based organization throughout Louisiana. The Legal Services team provides free civil legal assistance to people living with HIV throughout Louisiana and unaccompanied minors in need of immigration legal assistance. We work holistically at the intersection of health and social determinants of health. Through advocacy, outreach, education, and litigation, our work centers on discrimination (employment, housing and access to healthcare), securing public benefits, protection of civil and individual rights, disability rights, estate planning and immigration on behalf of minors (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status).

Externship Requirements

In person or remote.

1. Demonstrated commitment to public interest law and service to vulnerable populations

2. Interest in discrimination (employment, housing and access to healthcare), disability rights and health law

Field Placement Supervisor

Melanie Bray, Managing Attorney

Field Placement Office

8325 Oak Street
New Orleans, LA  70118

Field Placement Website

https://disabilityrightsla.org/

Description of Field Work

Disability Rights Louisiana advocates for the legal and human rights of persons with disabilities, through community advocacy, legal representation, information and referral, outreach, and training. The litigation agenda of DRLA ranges from class actions seeking systemic reform to direct services. The latter includes representation of individuals with disabilities in negotiations, school hearings, administrative hearings, state court proceedings including interdiction proceedings, and civil rights suits. We make an effort to involve students in multiple phases of our agency’s work. The extern will be an integral part of DRLA’s legal services. Duties will primarily include research with some legal briefing and client interaction. When opportunities for court observation arise, we encourage students to observe even if it is not a case they are assisting with.

Externship Requirements

2Ls and 3Ls welcome.  Strong legal research and writing skills.    

• We are currently contemplating a return to the office setting at least 3 days a week and would expect candidates to follow our office protocols. Our remote versus in person work arrangement is fluid and changes as circumstances evolve.

Field Placement Supervisor

Al Page

Field Placement Office

3801 Canal Street
Suite 210
New Orleans, LA 70119

Field Placement Website

www.islaimmigration.org

Description of Field Work

The students will support the attorneys in their representation of immigrants in ICE detention. They can draft motions, perform legal research, meet with and interview clients, travel to detention centers to help with Know Your Rights trainings, and attend court hearings.

Externship Requirements

Highly interested in Spanish speakers.

Field Placement Supervisor

Zac Crawford & Cat Forrester

Field Placement Office

4051 Ulloa Street
New Orleans, LA 70119

Field Placement Website

http://ip-no.org/

Description of Field Work

IPNO’s Internship Programs provide undergraduates, law students, and international volunteers with hands-on training in innocence and post-conviction work. IPNO interns and volunteers work to address the root causes of wrongful convictions and unjust sentences by assisting attorneys and investigators with the investigation and litigation of individual cases and contributing to policy work that seeks to dismantle systemic racism and inequity. Depending on case needs at any given time and the individual’s level of legal training, interns can expect to perform the following tasks:

• Conduct legal research and draft pleadings and motions
• Assist with locating and interviewing witnesses
• Visit and interview clients
• Develop transition plans for recently released or paroled clients
• Participate in case strategy sessions
• Request and review court, prosecution, and investigative files
• Read and digest trial transcripts
• Research public policy issues and prepare policy reports
• Attend court hearings, appellate arguments, and parole board hearings
• Welcome home an exonerated or released IPNO client

Externship Requirements

2L’s and 3L’s considered.  Externs assigned to IPNO assist in providing legal representation to prisoners who claim that they are innocent and conduct investigative work on individual cases alleging wrongful conviction.  Externs may also assist with initiatives in legislative reforms, exoneree advocacy, community outreach and public education directed at achieving long-term system change.  IPNO has a relatively small docket as each case can take years to complete.  New clients are selected after an extensive investigation of the facts surrounding their cases.  As all clients are incarcerated, client contact is primarily conducted by telephone or correspondence with occasional prison visits.  Externs assigned to IPNO may work on a small number of cases and participate in only parts of lengthy litigation.  Fact investigation and legal research and writing are key parts of the work of this placement. 

Externship Requirements

Demonstrated interest in some aspect of our work: post-conviction law, indigent defense, investigation, criminal justice reform, and/or criminal law.

Field Placement Supervisor

Ariel Test, Director of Civil Legal Services and Special Projects

Field Placement Office

1100 B Milton Street 
NOLA 70122

Field Placement Website

lakidsrights.org

Description of Field Work

The Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights is a nonprofit law office that defends the right of every child in Louisiana’s juvenile justice system to fairness, dignity, and opportunity. Our Children’s Defense Team serves as the juvenile public defender in New Orleans, where our holistic, team-based, cross-disciplinary advocacy helps more than 1,000 young people every year achieve their legal and life goals. LCCR’s JLWOP Direct Representation Team provides state-wide advocacy for children facing life without parole sentences in adult court and adults who are currently serving life without parole sentences for crimes committed when they were children through direct representation in pre-trial and post-conviction proceedings, strategic litigation, and legislative advocacy. Statewide, we provide resources and training for public defenders who work with children, and we advocate for law and policy reform to build a juvenile justice system that is fair, compassionate, and supportive of positive youth development.

Law clerks will work closely under the supervision of staff attorneys in all aspects of representing LCCR clients, including legal research, fact investigation, drafting memoranda and motions, developing holistic service plans, preparing for adjudication hearings, and litigation where children are facing life without parole. Law clerks may also assist in systemic justice system reform projects through research, education, investigation, and the preparation of briefs and position papers. Law clerks are required to abide by LCCR’s confidentiality policy, and to act at all times according to the expressed interests of our clients.

Externship Requirements

Prefers externs who have taken Crim Pro. Externs should demonstrate an interest in indigent defense, education reform or legislative advocacy in the area of social justice.

Field Placement Supervisor

Cashauna Hill, Executive Director

Field Placement Office

1340 Poydras Street, Suite 710
New Orleans, LA 70112

Field Placement Website

lafairhousing.org

Description of Field Work

The Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (LaFHAC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination in Louisiana. LaFHAC seeks to further equal housing opportunity through education, outreach, advocacy, and enforcement of fair housing laws.  LaFHAC externs work on litigation or public policy advocacy; investigate complaints of housing discrimination; advise complainants about their enforcement options, including litigation or administrative complaints to HUD; and assist with current and proposed litigation.

Externs assist with all aspects of litigation including initial intake, pre-filing investigation and negotiation, legal research, drafting initial pleadings, conducting discovery, assisting with pretrial motions and trial preparation.  Research and writing is a significant component of this placement.

Externship Requirements

A demonstrated commitment to civil rights.  Interest in fighting discrimination in rental, sale or financing of housing.  Open to 2L’s (with strong legal research and writing skills) and 3L’s.

Field Placement Supervisor

Beth Sgro

Field Placement Office

2601 Tulane Avenue, 7^th Floor
NOLA 70119

Field Placement Website
www.opdla.org

Description of Field Work
An extern at OPD may be asked to do everything a staff lawyer does for a client, short of speaking on the record in court. This may include legal research on a wide range of issues arising out of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th Amendments; writing memos, motions and writ applications to Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal and the LA Supreme Court; visiting clients in jail; meeting with clients’ family and/or defense witnesses both in and outside the office; investigating with the attorney, i.e., going to the scene of the crime, canvassing neighborhoods interviewing complaints; assisting the attorney at trial and substantive motions hearings; digesting discovery and pretrial hearing transcripts; and observing the attorney during client counseling sessions and plea negotiations.

2L’s and 3L’s considered.  Externs will participate in an orientation that focuses on the work OPD does, the structure of the courts, and LA criminal law and criminal procedure. Areas of training may include a discussion of the life of a case from arrest to sentencing, pretrial detention and bail, repeat offender sentencing law and practice, and common evidentiary problems.  

Externship Requirements
Crim Procedure preferred but not required.  Extern must have a strong commitment to indigent defense.

Field Placement Supervisor

Kathryn Lafrentz, Director of Legal Services 

Field Placement Office

935 Gravier St., Suite 1340
New Orleans, LA 70112

Field Placement Website

http://probono-no.org/

Description of Field Work

Students have the opportunity to volunteer at the Self-Help Resource Centers in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, as well as virtually (by phone and email). These centers provide legal information to self-represented litigants in civil court, and are a great way for students to learn about the most common types of civil legal cases, to develop their interviewing and issue spotting skills, and to gain procedural knowledge of the court system and modes of service. Students will also have the opportunity to shadow volunteer and staff attorneys in court and to participate in community outreach through legal clinics and trainings.

Externship Requirements

• In person.  Courses in family law, wills and estates, bankruptcy, trial advocacy, employment.  Spanish speakers a plus.

Field Placement Supervisor

Nishi Kumar
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Managing Attorney  | Unanimous Jury Project: Phase II

Field Placement Office

1024 Elysian Fields Avenue

New Orleans, LA 70117

Field Placement Website

www.promiseofjustice.org

Description of Field Work

The Promise of Justice Initiative (PJI) is a New Orleans based nonprofit that works to create positive change for people in the criminal justice at the intersection of direct services, impact litigation, and community engagement. We believe in a world where our justice system values each person; a world where the system supports rehabilitation, and a world where we approach justice with a lens of healing and restoration for those who are harmed. This world will be safer and more secure for all people.  

Externs with PJI will have the opportunity to go meet with clients in prison, conduct legal research, draft legal writing assignments, and work on advocacy to address direct needs of individuals. Externs will work with us to use the experiences of incarcerated men and women to inform policy and litigation work. Externs may be also be able to work directly with clients in its Jim Crow Juries/Unanimous Jury Project.

PJI is an innovator in criminal justice reform due to our strong foundation and grassroots relationships within the community from which we have organically grown. PJI is a small, strategic, specialist team that can respond to issues with flexibility and provides a well-rounded experience to externs.

Externship Requirements

Externs should have a driver’s license and openness to prison visits. It is preferable that externs can spend a full-day each week, so that there is sufficient time for such visits to be a component of the externship, however we can accommodate an extern who cannot, potentially at the expense of experience in prisons.

Field Placement Supervisor

Field Placement Office

Field Placement Website

Description of Field Work

Externship Requirements

Externship Requirements

Field Placement Supervisor

TBA, depending on the assigned unit

 Field Placement Offices

CBD New Orleans ( Housing, Employment and Public Benefits, Medical Legal Partnership (at Daughters of Charity Health Center), Veterans Unit, Family Law Unit, Child in Need of Care (CINC), Consumer, and Foreclosure Unit  
OR
Harvey/Westbank (Family and Domestic Violence)

Field Placement Website

http://slls.org/

Description of Field Work

Externs will have an opportunity to work with the organization to help low-income and vulnerable individuals overcome legal barriers that interfere with their access to healthcare, food, housing, income, family, and personal safety.  For all projects, the extern will assist with client interviews, legal research, draft pleadings, client follow-up.  Extern may also attend court proceedings.  For Housing, the extern will be able to prepare and represent a client under attorney supervision during at least one administrative hearing. The Employment and Public Benefits and Veterans  Units may extend the opportunity to do an administrative hearing under the supervision of an attorney and with client consent. Housing and Employment and Public Benefits Units also do re-entry work.

Externship Requirements

CINC: interest in representing children.  In order to be offered the opportunity to do an administrative hearing passing Evidence is required. Generally a public interest background or non-profit experience is a plus. Depending on placement a background check may be required. 

Field Placement Supervisor

Field Placement Office

Field Placement Website

Description of Field Work

Externship Requirements

Externship Requirements

Field Placement Supervisor

Mark Campo, Senior Tax Counsel

Field Placement Office

Entergy Services, Inc.

639 Loyola Avenue

New Orleans, Louisiana 70113

Field Placement Website

www.entergy.com

Description of Field Work

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations in the southern part of the United States.  It is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Entergy has one extern position within its Tax Department in the areas of tax planning and controversy.  The position provides a student the opportunity to work on complex tax issues while honing his/her tax research and writing skills.

Externship Requirements

Qualified applicants will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, a commitment to integrity and discretion in handling confidential matters and materials, and possess strong analytical skills, The extern must be able to work independently and in a team setting to meet established goals and deadlines and have a genuine interest in a career as a tax attorney.  Applicants must be 3Ls who have taken Intro to Tax and Corporate Tax.

Field Placement Supervisor

Arndey “James” Boland

Field Placement Office

600 So. Maestri Place, Suite 947
New Orleans, LA 70130

Field Placement Website

https://www.irs.gov/uac/office-of-chief-counsel-at-a-glance

Description of Field Work

Externs are assigned to work of the same nature as is performed by a new attorney in the office. Work includes legal research memos, drafting pleadings for filing with the Tax Court. Externs also assist attorneys in preparing cases for trial, attending civil and criminal conferences, meeting with clients and working on special projects as needed.

Externship Requirements

2L’s and 3L’s considered.  Class rank in the top 25% preferred but will consider to 30%.  Must have a high degree of self-motivation.  Excellent writing skills, strong interest in tax law, good oral communication skills.  Tax law courses; VITA participation is a plus.

Description of Field Work
 
LCMC Health is a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit healthcare system. LCMC Health is a six hospital system consisting of Children’s Hospital, Touro Infirmary, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, New Orleans East Hospital and East Jefferson General Hospital.
 

The LCMC Health Legal Department provides comprehensive legal consultation and compliance services to LCMC Health and each of its member hospitals.
 
The extern will assist in a variety of areas and assignments may include, legal research and work on health care law and compliance matters, participation in legal proceedings/conference calls/meetings involving diverse health care law issues, and various hospital committee meetings.
 
Externship Requirements

3L’s are preferred, although 2L’s with significant health experience are welcome to apply.  LCMC Health will only accept candidates who are currently enrolled in or have already taken Tulane Law’s Fundamentals of Health Law or Representing Physicians courses.  Qualified applicants will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, strong analytical skills and possess a commitment to integrity and discretion in handling confidential matters and materials. The extern must be able to work independently and in a team setting to meet established goals and deadlines and have a genuine interest in working in health law.

Field Placement Supervisor

Brian Schwartz

Field Placement Office

LCMC Health
210 State Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
 
Field Placement Website

https://www.lcmchealth.org/

New Orleans Saints and Pelicans – One Externship position

Field Placement Supervisor

Matthew S. Sharpe, Staff Attorney

Field Placement Office

New Orleans Saints and Pelicans

5800 Airline Drive

Metairie, Louisiana 70003

Field Placement Website

www.neworleanssaints.com

www.pelicans.com

Description of Field Work

The New Orleans Saints is a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints currently compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the league’s National Football Conference (NFC) South division. The New Orleans Pelicans is a professional basketball team also based in New Orleans and currently competing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference and Southwest Division.

The corporate law department, comprised of a Senior Vice President/General Counsel and a Staff Attorney, provides comprehensive legal consultation and compliance services to the organizations’ business endeavors, which include both the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans franchises, as well as other business interests periodically.

The extern will assist in a variety of areas; and assignments may include legal research and work on workers’ compensation and compliance matters, identifying and analyzing legal issues, and participation in conference calls/meetings involving issues, strategy development and planning.

Externship Requirements

The Saints will only seek candidates who will be 3L’s during the externship.  Qualified applicants will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, a commitment to integrity and discretion in handling confidential matters and materials, and possess strong analytical skills. The extern must be able to work independently and in a team setting to meet established goals and deadlines and have a genuine interest in working within a corporate law department.

Field Placement Supervisor

Field Placement Office

Field Placement Website

Description of Field Work

Externship Requirements

Externship Requirements

Field Placement Supervisor:

Patrick C. Fraizer

Executive Vice President, General Counsel

& Corporate Secretary

Field Placement Office

Pan-American Life Insurance Group

601 Poydras Street

New Orleans, LA 70130

Field Placement Website

https://www.palig.com/

Description of field work

Pan-American Life Insurance Group is a leading provider of insurance and financial services throughout the Americas that has been delivering trusted financial services since 1911. The New Orleans-based Group is comprised of more than twenty member companies, employs more than 1,950 worldwide and offers top-rated individual and/or group life, accident and health insurance, employee benefits and financial services in 49 states, the District of Columbia (DC), Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The Group has branches and affiliates in Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and 13 Caribbean markets, including Barbados, Cayman Islands, Curacao and Trinidad and Tobago.

Pan-American Life’s legal department has lawyers in New Orleans, Illinois, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, Guatemala, and Trinidad & Tobago.  The legal department provides legal & compliance services to the member companies of the Pan-American Life Insurance Group on a global basis.

The extern will be exposed to a variety of projects and could be exposed to a variety of legal systems.  Assignments may include: contract review and drafting, internal policy review and drafting, legal research, compliance assistance, assistance with Governance Risk and Compliance system testing, participation in conference calls and/or business meetings.

Externship Requirements

Pan-American Life will accept 2L and 3L applicants.Qualified applicants will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, a commitment to integrity and discretion in handling confidential matters and materials, and possess strong analytical skills. Spanish language capability would be a plus, but not a requirement.

Field Placement Supervisor

Maura Smith, Associate Commissioner, Governance & Compliance

Field Placement Office

Sun Belt Conference

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

1500 Sugar Bowl Drive

New Orleans, Louisiana 70112

Field Placement Website

http://sunbeltsports.org/

Description of Field Work

2L’s and 3L’s considered.  The Sun Belt Conference is a Division I Football Subdivision intercollegiate athletic conference, which crowns team and individual champions in 18 sports, 9 women’s and 9 men’s.

The extern will provide support in the areas of compliance and governance, and other departments as needed.  The extern will prepare and provide interpretations of NCAA and Sun Belt Conference rules and regulations, will serve as a secondary liaison to campus compliance administrators and athletic academic advisors, and will participate in monthly conference calls with the compliance administrators and athletic academic advisors. The extern also will prepare research and documents for the conference rules education programming related to the NCAA rules and regulations. The extern will prepare Student –Athlete’s eligibility for Championship participation and write drafts of Sun Belt Conference proposed legislation concepts to be considered for submission into the NCAA Legislative Cycle.  The extern also will gain experience with the NCAA LSDBi database and other compliance software. As needed, the extern will perform other duties as assigned.

Externship Requirements

Qualified applicants will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, a commitment to integrity and discretion in handling confidential matters and materials, and possess strong analytical skills, The extern must be able to work independently and in a team setting to meet established goals and deadlines and have a genuine interest in working within a corporate law department.

Field Placement Supervisor
Larissa Tiller, LT

Field Placement Office

500 Poydras St., Suite 1311
New Orleans, LA 70130

Field Placement Website

http://www.uscg.mil/d8/legal/default.asp

Description of Field Work

Judge Advocates and externs frequently are involved in such legal areas as military justice, trial advocacy, tort law, administrative law, maritime and international law, environmental law, labor law, procurement law and law enforcement, among others.  Externs will be given tasking appropriate for their abilities, professional experience, and knowledge of the law.  A staff attorney oversees, reviews, and provides feedback on all work products.  Typical asks include reviewing criminal investigations, drafting opinions on federal environmental regulations, assisting with prep of wills/powers of attorney, and researching contemporary topics in international and maritime law.  Externs are invited to observe and contribute with most projects and are limited only by those issues that are classified and for which a higher security clearance is required. Training is ongoing 

Externship Requirements

2L’s or 3L’s that have completed (or are currently enrolled in) Evidence, Constitutional Law I & II, and Criminal Procedure may apply, although there is a preference for 3L’s. 

Field Supervisor

BRANDI M. POWELL

Senior Trial Attorney 

Field Placement Office:   
VA Office of General Counsel 
Continental District 
2400 Canal Street 
New Orleans, Louisiana 70119

Field Placement Website:
https://www.va.gov/ogc/

Description of Field Work:
The VA Office of General Counsel Continental District represents the interests of the VA Secretary and the appointed leaders of VA facilities in a nine-state region (CO, UT, MT, WY, OK, TX, AR, LA, and MS).  Our work is primarily focused on personnel law litigation before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), and Title 38 Disciplinary Appeals Board (DAB).  Our office also handles general hospital administrative law matters as well as Judicial Commitments.  Externs will work on a variety of legal matters, with as much hands-on experience as possible.