Spring 2013 Externship Placements
General Externship Information
Externships (formerly practicums) give students the opportunity to engage in legal work in the substantive area of an externship. Each externship includes 114 hours of field work under the close supervision of an attorney mentor and a class room component accounting for one credit hour taught by an adjunct professor experienced in the externship substantive area. A faculty member supervises writing projects in support of the externship experience. The preliminary placement sites for Spring 2013 for all externships are listed below; incomplete information (marked “TBD”) will be updated as it becomes available. Also, additional sites will be explored and added to meet student demand. Students are encouraged to consult with the Externship Office (lawexternships@hamline.edu) for questions and/or ideas about additional sites.
Professional Responsibility is a prerequisite or concurrent requirement for all externships, except the Judicial Clerkship Externships. Other prerequisites and requirements can vary by placement and are listed with the site information. Supreme Court Certification for Student Practice may be required for some externships and will be coordinated by the Externship Office as needed. All externships have limited enrollments and are graded pass/fail. Preference for placements will be given to students who have not yet had an externship or who need an externship placement to fulfill Institute certificate requirements.
Spring 2013 Student Extern Guide (PDF)
Spring 2013 Attorney Mentor Guide (PDF)
Externship Categories
Business Law
Classroom component: Mondays, 6 p.m. to 8:10 p.m.
Professor Thomas D. DeMatteo
Available placement sites:
Lawson Software, Inc.
At Lawson Software, externs can expect to review, amend and draft contracts related to software licensing and data privacy. They will also work with internal and external customers to answer legal questions, questions related to the company and, most often, general contract interpretation questions. Students will also have the option to attend business meetings and assist with contract negotiations.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: None
Other: Externship Office will select the student for this placement.
Best Buy
Best Buy’s legal department has many teams covering different practice areas (such as SEC/compliance, employment, litigation, IP, transactions, advertising, data privacy, etc). A student extern could expect to have exposure to a variety of areas, and Best Buy is committed to developing a more focused work opportunity if there is a specific area in which a student is interested.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: None
Other: TBD
Larkin Hoffman
Larkin Hoffman's Corporate department covers many practice areas (such as Mergers and Acquisitions, General Corporate Law, Corporate Restructuring, Franchise, International Business Transactions, Securities law, and others). A student extern could expect to have exposure to a variety of areas. This externship does not offer litigation experience, but is intended for a student who wishes to focus on areas of business representation.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: None, but preferred coursework includes Corporations, Unincorporated Business Entities, Taxation of Business Entities, and Corporate Finance.
Other: Resume needed for Larkin Hoffman to review; the Externship Office will select the student for this placement.
Hamline University Office of the General Counsel
Work with the University's General Counsel to address a variety of legal issues facing a non-profit institution of higher education. Assignments might include reviewing litigation pleadings, ensuring compliance with regulations impacting on-line education and development activities, reviewing business contracts, and preparing administrative agency responses to claims. Ability to research laws, think analytically, and write concisely required.
Criminal Law
Classroom component: Wednesdays, 6 p.m. to 8:10 p.m.
Professor Robert D. Goodell
Available placement sites:
Kyle White – Solo Practitioner
A student in this placement can expect to work with a sole practitioner doing a variety of trial, appellate and post-conviction criminal litigation in both state and federal court. Externs will be provided the opportunity to do legal research and writing, work on post-conviction motions and appeals, and will get to accompany the attorney in the day-to-day practice of law, observing client interviews and courtroom proceedings. This externship should give students a good sense of private attorney practice in the criminal law area on cases including drug cases, federal conspiracy cases, prostitution and other sex crimes.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: TBD
Other: Looking for good research and writing skills, open-minded, compassionate, and willing to learn.
Dakota County Prosecutor’s Office
Externs will be assigned to an attorney in the criminal division. The criminal division reviews and prosecutes adult felony offenses and all juvenile crimes that occur in Dakota County. Externs will be provided the opportunity to observe practicing attorneys and conduct legal research and prepare written memoranda on a wide variety of legal issues. Students certified under the student practice rules may also be given the opportunity to represent the office in court appearances on a variety of hearings. The type of work the student will be doing will be dependent upon the student’s experience and availability.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: Priority will be given to students who have completed course work in substantive and procedural criminal law.
Other: Students should be eligible for Supreme Court Certification for Student Practice and be available on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Resume and letter of interest required, as is an interview. The Dakota County office will make all selections.
Legal Rights Center
A Legal Rights Center Extern will be responsible for co-managing a criminal caseload with an assigned attorney. The extern will be expected to participate in every facet of the representation of an individual charged with a criminal case in Hennepin County. Externs will interview clients, contact witnesses, research case law, develop case strategies, write memos/briefs, prepare trial folders, and advocate on behalf of clients in and out of court.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: Evidence highly recommended.
Other: Clear interest in working with low-income and minority clients. (Students who speak Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Oromo and/or Arabic are strongly encouraged to apply.) Students should be eligible for Supreme Court Certification for Student Practice. Interview required. (The Legal Rights Center can mentor more than one student.)
Fred Goetz
Externs at this placement will research questions of law, prepare memoranda and do other research projects to support criminal defense litigation. Students will also get the opportunity to accompany the attorney to court and observe hearings, as well as gaining insight into the practice of law in the context of a small law firm.
Courses required in Addition to PR: Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure are recommended.
Other: None
Ramsey County Public Defender
Externs at this placement will get courtroom experience representing clients in bail hearings and initial appearances in misdemeanor and juvenile cases. They will interview and represent clients and appear in court under supervision of attorneys in the Office of the Public Defender.
Courses required in addition to PR: Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure and Evidence
Other: Ramsey County Public Defender would like to personally interview interested students before placing them. The placement can take one or two students in Spring 2013.
Neighborhood Justice Center, Inc.
The Neighborhood Justice Center, Inc., was founded in 1973 by judges, attorneys, and community members in the St. Paul area committed to protecting legal rights and providing equal access to criminal defense for people of color and other vulnerable persons. The mission of NJC is to provide comprehensive criminal defense and crime prevention services for low-income persons, emphasizing outreach to communities of color. Goals include providing quality legal representation for disadvantaged and underserved persons who are charged with criminal offenses, obtaining the best possible outcomes for clients, and educating target populations about the law and how best to avoid problems with the criminal justice system. Externs at NJC work alongside one of the for NJC attorneys. They begin by observing court and assisting the attorney in preparing and researching cases. They then transition into making court appearances and arguments on behalf of NJC clients.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Professional Responsibility are recommended.
Other: Student certification is required. Language ability in Spanish, Hmong or Somali is welcomed but not required. The Neighborhood Justice Center would like to personally interview and select the extern for this site.
Dispute Resolution
Classroom component: TBD
Professor Aimee Gourlay
Available placement sites:
Mediation Center
The ADR Ethics Board is appointed by the MN Supreme Court to promote the ethical use of ADR in the court system. The Board reviews complaints against neutrals in accordance with Rule 114 Code of Ethics. An extern could expect to summarize complaints, gather information pertaining to complaints, review complaint files and write recommendations to the Board on whether there was an ethical violation, draft "best practice" or "FAQ" documents for educational purposes, draft correspondence, attend board meetings.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: General Mediation Skills or Family Mediation Skills or ADR.
Other: This position requires (and develops) writing and critical analysis skills.
National Labor Relations Board Region 18 Office
Extern can expect to be assigned 4-6 charges to investigate, which includes taking affidavits from relevant witnesses, obtaining documentary evidence, analyzing the evidence and conducting necessary research of Board law, and recommending to the Regional Director whether the allegations in the charges have merit. In addition, extern may be assigned to research issues related to ongoing investigations and/or to assist in analyzing complex documentary evidence.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: Labor Law
Other: Phone interview required.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC")
Mediation is offered by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") as an alternative to the traditional investigative or litigation process. An extern for the EEOC Mediation Program in the Minneapolis office can expect to review charges, contact employees and employers regarding their participation in the program, explain mediation and its benefits to charging and responding parties, follow up with parties and convene the mediation, observe and/or co-mediate employment disputes later in the semester, and draft memorandums of agreement.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: 30 Hour Civil Mediation Skills Training.
Other: Interview required.
Health Law
Classroom component: Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 1:40 p.m.
Professor Barbara Colombo
In the health law area, Professor Colombo works with each student to find the right match for the externship. For all health law placements, externs work under the supervision of an attorney mentor across a variety of settings in health law and compliance including law firms, government, medical device manufacturers, hospitals and clinics, insurers and health plans, trade associations, and consulting firms. In theses settings students have the opportunity to develop and refine a wide range of skills including legal research and writing, interviewing clients and witnesses, auditing, investigating, drafting policies and procedures, document review along with other pretrial discovery work, advocacy and communication.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: Health Law-Organization and Finance; Health Law-Quality of Care and Liability (One or more of the course requirements may be waived by Professor Colombo based on individual circumstances.)
Other: Clearance procedures need to begin in early November for several hosting organizations.
Judicial Clerkship
Classroom component: Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. to 7:40 p.m.
Judges Diane R. Alshouse and Tammi A. Fredrickson
In judicial clerk externships, students are placed in chambers with a judge, magistrate, or referee in the state or federal court system. Students perform clerking duties, observe chambers discussions and observe court hearings. The seven classroom meetings are devoted to student discussion of issues relating to their experiences and issues relating to the work of a judge.
Students must have daytime hours available (usually in 4-hour blocks); Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings are best.
Legislation & Lobby
Classroom component: Mondays, 6 p.m. to 8:10 p.m.
Professor Miriam Elizabeth Stone
Available placement sites:
American Heart Association
At the American Heart Association, students will have the opportunity to learn about the Minnesota legislative process through hands-on work with specific policies that the American Heart Association proposes during the 2013 legislative session; work with experienced nonprofit lobbyists and help make the case for specific legislation; conduct policy and legislator research; and work strategically through the process. Students will also gain experience working with stakeholders and coalitions, and working to neutralize opposition to AHA positions. Time will be spent in the AHA office and at the State Capitol.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: TBD
Other: Interview required
Minnesota Bankers Association
A student extern for the Minnesota Banker’s Association can expect to work directly with the government relations manager at the Capitol to schedule and attend meetings with legislators, attend legislative hearings and help maintain the government relations database. Depending on the direction the session takes, there may be the opportunity for legal research and bill drafting.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: TBD
Other: In-person interview preferred
Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry
An extern, serving as a legislative coordinator for the session, will report directly to the Legislation Director, and will have regular interaction with the Commissioner’s direct reports. The extern will review committee schedules to highlight bills with agency impact; review bill introductions and maintain the bill tracking report; compile background on bill subject areas as needed by the Director or Commissioner’s direct reports; schedule appointments with legislators and lobbyists and coordinate meetings with affected parties to discuss legislation; attend meetings/hearings and provide written summaries when applicable.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: TBD
Other: In-person interview preferred. Range of average weekly commitment: 10 hours.
Minnesota Hospital Association
The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) is a nonprofit organization representing 145 hospitals and health systems throughout Minnesota. Our legislative and lobbying activities at the state level center on expanding health coverage and health care reform issues, and the scope of topics we address ranges from the state budget and nonprofit tax policy, to medical ethics and regulatory mandates on health care providers. Given the numerous and important health care issues facing the Legislature in 2013, MHA expects to lead a dynamic and comprehensive advocacy agenda on behalf of our members and the patients they serve. A participating student can expect to research and analyze legislative bills, help draft legislative language, examine legal issues associated with various policy proposals, spend time at the Capitol monitoring committee hearings and/or floor sessions, and contribute to our efforts to provide policymakers with the most current and relevant information possible.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: None
Other: Interview required
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Student will gain experience in the legislative process through drafting bills, tracking & guiding bills through the legislative process, monitoring committee hearings, drafting issue briefs, and writing up weekly summaries. The Attorney Mentor for this placement is a HUSL graduate, an attorney with 16 years of experience as a lobbyist in both the public & private sector. The main office is in downtown Minneapolis. Most work will be done at the Capitol with the ability to do follow up written work independently.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: None
Other: Interview, ability to pass an Advanced Background Check (with fingerprints), willingness to sign a Waiver of Liability: all required.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Extern will assist the Dorsey & Whitney LLP lobbying team on a full range of lobbying activities associated with the Coalition for Impartial Justice (CIJ). CIJ is a non-partisan coalition of business, labor, League of Women Voters, and others devoted to passing legislation and a constitutional amendment to improve voter understanding and participation in judicial elections, while seeking to preserve the current high quality, merit based judiciary in Minnesota. Activities will include legislative drafting, background research, and attendance at a variety of coalition and legislative meetings.
Work in the Minnesota Legislature
Students who would like to explore opportunities with member(s) of the Minnesota House or Senate, or the DFL or IR caucus, are encouraged to research possible opportunities with the office or member of his/her choice after the election has concluded. The Governor's Office also may have placement opportunities. Externship Program Office staff will provide limited assistance in conjunction with interested students to find these types of placements (none are assured).
Private Attorney
Classroom component: Tuesdays, 4:10 p.m. to 6:20 p.m.
Professor Robert A. Kellermeier
Available placement sites:
TarioLegal, Inc.
This solo practitioner, a Hamline Law alum, engages with a variety of bankruptcy matters, including business reformation and contracting issues, foreclosure relief, consumer debt issues, etc. Externs will perform business document drafting and re-drafting, research and write memoranda after intensive critique, compose client letters, and develop demand letters, among other tasks. Externs will also engage in some client counseling via phone or in person.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: Bankruptcy coursework is preferred; LRW III transactional coursework also preferred.
Other: Interview may be required.
Barna Guzy Steffen, Ltd.
This firm does significant work in the probate, family law, and criminal defense arenas, with emphasis on litigation. An extern will engage in client interviewing and counseling, case-related investigation, dispute resolution activity, document drafting, and litigation preparation and observation.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: Litigation Practice.
Other: Interview may be required. Student must be eligible for Supreme Court Certification for Student Practice.
Law Office of Sivertson and Barrette, Ltd.
This family firm, all Hamline Law graduates, handles a range of employment law issues on behalf of employees, including employment discrimination, sexual harassment, and employer retaliation; as well as personal injury litigation, professional licensing revocation disputes, will probate, estate planning and litigation, and lobbying. An extern student is most likely to be involved in employment law and civil litigation, gaining experience in client interviewing and counseling, case-related investigation, dispute resolution activity, document drafting, and litigation preparation and observation.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: None, but strong research and writing skills preferred. Recommended courses include employment law, evidence and any trial preparation courses.
Other: None
Minndivorce
This solo practitioner, a Hamline Law alum, focuses on marriage dissolution cases, temporary and permanent support arrangements, maintenance adjustments, domestic abuse matters, anti-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, child custody contests, adoptions and foster placements, grandparent/relatives rights, child abuse or abduction situations, and related family-based issues. Externs will receive intensive supervision and direction in family law and family court procedures as well as writing skills critique and observation opportunities.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: Family Law coursework or experience is preferred.
Other: Interview may be required.
Bower Law Office
This solo practitioner, a Hamline Law alum, focuses on bankruptcy and related financial distress issues for individuals. Externs will learn all phases of the bankruptcy process and can expect a high degree of supervision but also increasing responsibility as they progress through their externship.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: Bankruptcy
Other: Interview may be required.
JAG Corps
Interns for the Minnesota National Guard Office of the Staff Judge Advocate work under JAG attorney supervision in virtually every practice area of the JAG Corps. Externs may be asked to draft briefs or opinions, interview witnesses, or assist in the preparation of administrative hearings. Externs also assist JAG Corps Attorneys who counsel and represent soldiers, their family members and retirees in personal legal matters in areas such as family law, estate planning, landlord/tenant law, tax, bankruptcy, immigration and naturalization law, and military administrative law.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Property I, and Contracts
Other: Phone interview allowed. Military interest must be evidenced. Clearance procedure needs to begin early November. Former military personnel preferred (to facilitate necessary clearance).
Heley, Duncan & Melander, PLLP (formerly known as Coleman, Hull & van Vliet PLLP)
This business litigation firm practices in the areas of financial fraud, securities law, employment diputes, non-competition agreements, executive compensation, sharehold disputes, director and officer liability, construction law, vendor disputes, and representation of the elderly and vulnerable adults in cases of fraud by financial planners. The intern must bring own laptop computer but office space is provided. The firm welcomes those seeking a close-knit, genial working community.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: None.
Other: Interview may be required.
American Dream Law LLC
This small private firm offers comprehensive immigration-related services including employment and crime victim visa request preparation, citizenship application assistance, and representation in Immigration Court and/or Board of Immigration Appeals hearings. An extern will help prepare filings with agencies and courts; draft letters to clients, affidavits, memos, immigration forms, and briefs; research US immigration laws, foreign laws, and benefits eligibility; and maintain complete client files. Shared office space is available but extern must have own laptop computer.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: None
Other: An interview may be required.
Amy L. Senn, P.A.
Amy L. Senn, P.A. Is a sole practitioner with family law clients in a small, casual office. Two attorneys share office space and practice in other areas of law. An extern can expect to be involved in all areas of family law, including child custody and child support matters. Specifically, an extern will participate in office meetings with clients and staff; identifying legal issues and drafting appropriate documents; attending settlement conferences, mediation, and early neutral evaluations; and courtroom proceedings at all stages from Initial Case Management Conference to trial.
Courses Required in Addition to PR: None
Other: Externship position requires strong communication skills and the ability to identify legal issues and other creative solutions.