Summer 2012 Course Schedule

Supervised Ext Seminar (LAW-769-007)
Popper

Meets: 06:00 PM - 08:50 PM (TH) - Room 500

Enrolled: 19 / Limit: 20

Administrator Access


Notices

IMPORTANT: This is a three credit class. Due to the condensed summer schedule the seminar meets for 2 hours and 50 minutes each week PLUS students meet with faculty out of class. The timing for these meetings will be discussed in the first class. . REGISTRATION: There are two parts to registering for an externship: 1) Register on-line for the seminar as you would for any class. 2) Register for the field placement by going to the Externship Page www.wcl.american.edu/externship and submit a Request for Approval, which generates the necessary forms.

Description

COURSE: Government Litigation Externship Seminar. This seminar explores some of the roles lawyers play in the private practice, the public interest sector, and in government agency practice. Federal and state agencies are among the most active litigants in the American legal system, bringing and defending a large volume of cases in courts and before administrative tribunals. The experience of negotiating or litigating for or against the government has some special characteristics, but also shares characteristics common to all types of legal practice. The classroom component of this offering focuses on a series of simulations used to explore various aspects of litigation and dispute resolution including depositions, negotiations, a narrative exercise, mediation, and hearing practice. In addition, a good deal of time is devoted to the transition from student to lawyer and to the pragmatic and personal challenges relevant to entry-level lawyers in both private and government practice. In terms of field placements, I am interested in having students who are externing at all different types of placements – courts, state and federal agencies, trade associations, non-profits, pro bono offices in law firms, prosecution or other law enforcement offices, public defender offices, etc. The more diverse the backgrounds, the better.

Textbooks and Other Materials

The textbook information on this page was provided by the instructor. Students should use this information when considering purchases from the AU Campus Store or other vendors. Students may check to determine if books are currently available for purchase online.

Please purchase: Course materials for the Government Litigation Externship Seminar by Andrew Popper available in room 465. The materials should be available at least a week before class.

First Class Readings

First Assignment The syllabus, template for the weekly journals, and the first simulation text are in one combined document accesible through this site and labled "Syllabus" - for the 1st class: (1) Please be prepared briefly to describe in class your externship placement including the number of hours you intend to work, the name of your supervisor, the tasks likely to be undertaken, the nature of supervision, the physical setting of the externship, and any insights, issues, or challenges you anticipate. (2) In the Course materials for the Government Litigation Externship Seminar please skim the article at page 350-382. This article by Kathleen Clark as well as the the DC Bar Outline for Government Lawyers is now available on MyWCL. Skim both for the first class. This article is also in the full set of Course Materials to be purchased for this class. (3) Anticipating the second week of class, skim through simulation one (beginning at p. 10) of the course materials. IMPORTANT: The first simulation (Regulatory Negotiation) is in the course materials and will not begin until the second class.

Syllabus

Use your MyAU username and password to access the syllabus in the following format(s):