Summer 2013 Class Descriptions : Clinics, Internships, and Externships
LWVL590 Agency Externships (John Sansone)
1-3 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
The Agency Externship Program consists of a work component and a class component. It allows students to earn academic credit for working in a law related externship position during the summer academic term. Students work a minimum of 60 hours per unit of credit and may receive 1-3 credits. For the work component, students work with a government agency or a nonprofit organization under the supervision of an attorney. The externship employer must be in the civil or criminal law field anywhere in the world outside Southern California. Last year, students worked as externs for various organizations including a U.N. agency in Egypt, U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., U.S. Army JAG and National Geographic magazine. Students are not permitted to work in a firm.
Students are required to prepare weekly summaries of their work, participate in an on-line class, and complete a writing assignment. Students are able to take the course during one of three Summer Sessions: Early Summer Session (May 23-June 24), Main Summer Session (June 6-July 29), and Late Summer Session (July 5-July 29). If you have been accepted into an externship placement and want to apply for this course, fill out the Externship application. If you have any other questions email Lizzette Herrera Castellanos or call (619) 260-2342. The externship is graded on a Pass-Fail basis.
Note: There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the concentration web pages for more information. Contact Law Student Affairs to find out if your Agency Internship qualifies for a concentration.
Additional Information: Concentrations Web Page, Email Law Student Affairs
LWVL596 Agency Internships (John Sansone)
1-3 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
Concentration(s): Criminal Litigation (JD), Civil Litigation (JD)
The Agency Internship Program consists of a work component and a class component. The Agency Internship Program allows students to earn academic credit for working in a law related internship position. Students work a minimum of 60 hours per unit of credit and may receive 1-3 credits. For the work component, students intern with a government agency or a nonprofit organization. During the summer, the employer can be either in the civil field or in the trial or appellate criminal field in Southern California. Students participate in primarily on-line class sessions involving small group discussions, prepare weekly summaries of their work and complete a writing assignment. If you have been accepted into an internship placement and want to apply for the internship course, fill out the Internship application. If you have any other questions, email Lizzette Herrera Castellanos, Director of Agency Internship Programs or call(619) 260-2342. The internship is graded on a Pass-Fail basis.
Note: There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the concentration web pages for more information. Contact Law Student Affairs to find out if your Agency Internship qualifies for a concentration.
Additional Information: Concentrations Web Page, Email Law Student Affairs
LWVL505 Child Advocacy Clinic: Policy I & II (Robert C. Fellmeth)
1-3 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
Concentration(s): Public Interest Law (JD)
Prerequisite(s): See course description
Students work with CAI professional staff on legislative and regulatory policy advocacy projects, impact litigation, public education projects, and/or policy research and analysis of current applications of law and regulations as they affect children. Policy Clinic students are also able to serve as Educational Representatives for at-risk youth and/or assist CAI’s Homeless Youth Outreach Project. Students must have completed or be enrolled in Child Rights and Remedies. Clinic slots are limited; students must obtain a permission slip from Professor Robert Fellmeth or Elisa Weichel before registering for the course.
LWVL510 Civil Clinic I (Allen Gruber)
1-4 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
Concentration(s): Civil Litigation (JD)
Prerequisite(s): Civil Procedure, Evidence, LSII or Practicum
Students interview, counsel and represent clients at Superior Court or in administrative hearings in a wide variety of cases under the supervision of an attorney. Students draft pleadings and correspondence, as well as confer and negotiate with opposing counsel/parties. Weekly group meetings are combined with individual case conferences to provide intensive personal training in litigation techniques, problem solving and case management. Students also learn general civil litigation practice and procedures. Prerequisites: Civil Procedure, Evidence and either Practicum or Lawyering Skills II. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis.
Note: There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the Civil Litigation Concentration web page for more information.
Additional Information: Civil Litigation Concentration
LWVL511 Civil Clinic II (Allen Gruber)
1-4 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
Concentration(s): Civil Litigation (JD)
Prerequisite(s): Civil Procedure, Evidence, LSII or Practicum
Students interview, counsel and represent clients at Superior Court or in administrative hearings in a wide variety of cases under the supervision of an attorney. Students draft pleadings and correspondence, as well as confer and negotiate with opposing counsel/parties. Weekly group meetings are combined with individual case conferences to provide intensive personal training in litigation techniques, problem solving and case management. Students also learn general civil litigation practice and procedures. Prerequisites: Civil Procedure, Evidence and either Practicum or Lawyering Skills II. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis.
Note: There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the Civil Litigation Concentration web page for more information.
Additional Information: Civil Litigation Concentration
LWVL591 Corporate Counsel Internship (Stacey Tyree)
1-3 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
Concentration(s): Business and Corporate Law (LLMC), LLM in Business and Corporate Law (LLMB), Intellectual Property (JD), Business and Corporate Law (JD), Intellectual Property (LLMC), Intellectual Property Law (LLMG)
The Corporate Counsel Internship Program consists of a work component and a class component. The Corporate Counsel Internship Program allows students to receive academic credit for working in the legal department of a corporation, company or other business entity. Students may also work in other departments of a corporation as long as they are supervised by a licensed attorney. The goal of the Program is to provide students with the opportunity to observe first-hand the operations of a corporate legal department and to gain an understanding of the legal issues addressed by corporate counsel. The student must not receive monetary compensation or any outside funding for or related to the work and must be supervised by an on-site lawyer. Students can secure their own internship placements or meet with the Internship Director or Career Services for guidance. Placements qualify for the Program only if the organization requires that a student receive academic credit as a condition of the internship. Organizations willing to pay students or to have them work on a volunteer basis do not qualify for the Program. After a placement is found, students must complete an Application Form to have their placement approved for the Program. Employers who participate in the Program must commit to the requirements of the Program. Students work a minimum of 60 hours per unit of credit and may receive 1-3 credits. Students participate in primarily on-line class sessions involving small group discussions, prepare weekly summaries of their work and complete a writing assignment. If you have been accepted into an internship placement and want to apply for the internship course, fill out the Corporate Counsel application. If you have any other questions, email Lizzette Herrera Castellanos or call (619) 260-2342. The internship is graded on a Pass-Fail basis.
Note: There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the Intellectual Property Concentration web page for more information. Contact Law Student Affairs to find out if your work in this clinic qualifies for the concentration.
Additional Information: Intellectual Property Concentration, Email Law Student Affairs
LWVL550 Education & Disability Clinic I (Margaret A. Dalton)
1-4 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
Concentration(s): Public Interest Law (JD)
Students receive practical training and experience in client intake, interviewing and counseling, file review and analysis, and legal representation in diverse forums. Some cases proceed to mediation and due process hearings, where students argue the case with support from the supervising attorney. Weekly group meetings are combined with individual case conferences to provide intensive personal training in case management. The classroom component also includes an overview of statutes and cases in this growing area of civil law. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis. No prerequisites. Recommended: Special Education and the Law.
LWVL551 Education & Disablility Clinic II (Margaret A. Dalton)
1-4 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
Concentration(s): Public Interest Law (JD)
Students receive practical training and experience in client intake, interviewing and counseling, file review and analysis, and legal representation in diverse forums. Some cases proceed to mediation and due process hearings, where students argue the case with support from the supervising attorney. Weekly group meetings are combined with individual case conferences to provide intensive personal training in case management. The classroom component also includes an overview of statutes and cases in this growing area of civil law. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis. No prerequisites. Recommended: Special Education and the Law.
LWVL592 Entertainment, Sport & IP Internship (Stacey Tyree)
1-3 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
Concentration(s): Intellectual Property (LLMC), Intellectual Property Law (LLMG)
The Entertainment, Sports and Intellectual Property Internship Program consists of a work component and a class component and allows students to earn academic credit for working in a law department of an entertainment or sports industry company, talent guild or trade association, or in the intellectual property law department of a company or trade association. Students work a minimum of 60 hours per unit of credit and may receive 1-3 credits. Students participate in primarily online class sessions involving small group discussions, prepare weekly summaries of their work and complete a writing assignment. If you have been accepted into an internship placement and want to apply for the internship course, fill out the ESIP application below. The Internship is graded on a Pass-Fail basis. If you have any other questions, email Lizzette Herrera Castellanos or call (619) 260-2342.
Note: There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the Intellectual Property Concentration web page for more information. Contact Law Student Affairs to find out if your work in this clinic qualifies for the concentration.
Additional Information: Intellectual Property Concentration
LWVL555 Federal Tax Clinic (Richard Carpenter)
1-2 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
Concentration(s): Taxation (LLMC), LLM in Taxation (LLMT)
Prerequisite(s): Tax I
This is a hands-on clinical course for students who wish to develop tax controversy skills. Students working under the supervision of the Tax Clinic supervising attorney will represent low income taxpayers in resolving their tax disputes with the IRS. Students will learn client interviewing skills, how to interact with IRS personnel, and how to effectively resolve a client’s federal tax dispute. Students must also be available to participate in Tax Clinic Outreach presentations at various community locations and times. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis. Prerequisite: Tax I.
LWVL530 Immigration Clinic I & II ( Staff)
1-4 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
Concentration(s): Public Interest Law (JD)
Students gain practical experience through interviewing, counseling, and representing clients with immigration-related problems. Students complete forms and draft documents on behalf of clients. Students also attend and/or participate at hearings at Immigration Court. Weekly meetings are held with the clinic supervisor to discuss immigration law, practical application and casework. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis. No Prerequisites.
LWVL598 Judicial Internships (Monica M. Sullivan)
1-4 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
Concentration(s): Business and Corporate Law (JD), Civil Litigation (JD)
The Judicial Internship Program allows students to receive academic credit for work in a judge's chambers in San Diego. Students must work 60 hours per unit of credit. In addition to the work component of the Program, students enrolled in the program will have regular contact with the Program's instructor, Professor Horton, who will meet with students individually, assign various written projects (such as a journal and a final paper), and review samples of the student's written work from the internship. The program is limited to a total of 20 students per semester or summer term. Preference is given to students who are in, or who are about to enter, their final law school year. Professor Horton has a manual that explains the judicial internship process; interested students should be sure to pick up a copy of the manual. Students can secure their own internship position or can meet with Professor Horton for guidance in securing a placement. The internship is graded on a Pass-Fail basis.
Note: Students must receive approval from Professor Horton to register for this program. There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the concentration web pages for more information.
Additional Information: Civil Litigation Concentration, Criminal Litigation Concentration
LWVL545 Small Claims Clinic I & II (Franco Simone)
1-3 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
Concentration(s): Civil Litigation (JD)
The Small Claims Clinic offers students the opportunity to develop interviewing and counseling skills as well as trial preparation skills in the Small Claims Court context. Students assist low-income families in preparing their cases for trial at Small Claims Court and can represent clients in the appeals process in Superior Court. Students must also be available to participate in outreach presentations at various community locations and times. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis. No Prerequisites.
Note: There are limitations on JD concentration eligibility. Please check the Civil Litigation Concentration web page for more information.
Additional Information: Civil Litigation Concentration
LWVL560 State Income Tax Clinic I & II (Craig Shaltes)
1-2 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
Concentration(s): Taxation (LLMC), LLM in Taxation (LLMT)
This Tax Appeals Assistance Program is a joint effort between USD Legal Clinics and the California State Board of Equalization. Under the supervision of an attorney from the California Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate Office, students will assist taxpayers with their state tax appeals. Students receive legal practice skills training, including interviewing clients, identifying evidence, drafting appeals briefs, and representing clients in negotiations with the State Board and at hearing. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis. No prerequisites.
LWVL562 State Sales & Use Tax Clinic I & II (Michael J. Larkin)
1-2 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
Concentration(s): Taxation (LLMC), LLM in Taxation (LLMT)
This State Sales & Use Tax Clinic is a joint effort between USD Legal Clinics and the California State Board of Equalization. Under the supervision of an attorney from the California Taxpayers' Rights Advocate Office, students will assist taxpayers at the Petitions stage of proceedings instituted against them by the Franchise Tax Board. Students receive legal practice skills training, including gathering evidence, preparing legal briefs, participating in negotiation proceedings and oral argument at an administrative hearing. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis. No prerequisites.
LWVL580 Veterans Clinic I & II (Robert F. Muth)
1-4 credit(s)
Requirement: Skills
Students represent veterans and military family members who have disputes with predatory lenders and for-profit educational institutions over the use of GI Bill funds and related loans. This clinic provides free legal services including advice, identification and filing of potential claims and representation in civil litigation, arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution. Weekly group meetings are combined with individual case conferences to provide intensive personal training in litigation techniques, problem solving and case management. The clinic is graded on a 4-tier Pass-Fail basis.
