PARALEGAL INTERNSHIPS INFORMATION AND REQUIRED FORMS

Transcription

1 PARALEGAL INTERNSHIPS INFORMATION AND REQUIRED FORMS Justice Center Paralegal Certificate Program Justice Center University of Alaska Anchorage 3211 Providence Drive Anchorage, AK (907) justice.uaa.alaska.edu Introduction...1 Getting Started...1 Deadlines...1 Application Materials...2 General Requirements for Applicants...2 Placement Options...2 Placement Process...3 Required Forms...3 Frequently Asked Questions...4 Syllabus...6 Application Forms...8 (Rev. 5/10)

2 PARALEGAL INTERNSHIPS INFORMATION AND REQUIRED FORMS Introduction The internship is a required course for all Paralegal Certificate candidates. Students who are earning the paralegal certificate in conjunction with a Bachelor of Arts in Justice must complete a 3-credit paralegal internship, supervised by an attorney. The paralegal internship is an integral component of the certificate program. It is designed to enhance the paralegal student s total academic experience through a planned period of observation, study, and participation in a law firm, governmental agency or related organization. The internship is the capstone to the paralegal student s academic experience. Prospective paralegals benefit greatly from the opportunity to observe and work with practitioners in the field. Internships provide paralegal students with the opportunity to apply concepts and principles learned in the classroom, to network with professionals in the legal community, and to analyze on-the-job experiences in light of academic learning. If you are enrolled in the paralegal certificate program, you should become thoroughly acquainted with the materials provided here. Detailed information is provided regarding deadlines for internship placements, required forms, and the placement process. Getting Started Successful paralegals know the critical importance of identifying and meeting deadlines. Successful interns are no different. The first deadline facing a prospective paralegal intern occurs well in advance of the semester in which the internship will occur. Internships must be established in the Fall or Spring semester prior to the semester in which the internship will occur. Applications for Fall internships must be submitted by the announced deadline in the prior Spring semester. Applications for Spring internships must be submitted by the announced deadline in the prior Fall semester. Deadlines Your application materials must be To perform your internship received by the Coordinator during this semester by this date Spring 2010 October 16, 2009 Fall 2010 February 19, 2010 Spring 2011 October 15, 2010 Fall 2011 February 18, 2011 Spring 2012 October 21, (Rev. 5/10)

3 Application Materials The application materials must be completed by the stated deadline for the student to be considered for placement in a paralegal internship. These materials required include: C C C C C Application form Insurance form Information Release form Resume Writing Sample. The writing sample should be work taken from one of your law classes, ideally something less than five pages. You should submit the paper you submitted as returned to you (with the instructor s comments). In addition, you should submit a clean copy of the work reflecting your revisions based on your instructor s comments. General Requirements for Applicants To be eligible for a paralegal internship placement, you must be a full major. If you have not changed your major from pre-major to major status, your application will be rejected. Completion of all other paralegal core courses is required for placement in the internship. At the discretion of the Coordinator, an internship application may be accepted from students completing the final core course(s) in the same semester as the internship will be served. In addition, intern applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in the paralegal core courses to be placed in an internship. You are required to demonstrate your competency in the core courses by earning a C or better in these courses in order to obtain the certificate. If you are required to take a course again to improve your grade to a C in that core course to earn your certificate, the course must be completed with the required grade before you are eligible for the internship. Many firms and agencies enforce standards requiring background and records checks. Consequently, you may be required to authorize related investigations and checks as a condition of acceptance. Some students, because of their work history or history of criminal convictions, may not meet agency or law firm standards for hire. The University cannot require agencies or firms to accept students, and cannot guarantee that every student will be placed. Students who are not placed in internships will apply their course work in the program toward an Associate of Arts or Bachelor s Degree, but will not be awarded a certificate in Paralegal Studies. Placement Options The intern placement involves a competitive process in which students apply for positions in agencies and law firms that have a formal contract with the UAA Justice Center. Placements will be sought in accordance with your interests and educational needs. The Internship Coordinator maintains a roster of placement sites that have contracted with the Justice Center. Before you submit your application materials, you should review the roster and identify at least three placement sites in which you are interested. This information is included on your application form. Once you have identified placements in which you are interested, the Coordinator will 2 (Rev. 5/10)

4 communicate with the placement site to determine whether there is a need or desire for an intern during the semester identified. You should not contact the placement organization on your own. This policy is not designed to constrain development of new placements, but to maintain the integrity of the internship program. If you have a placement in mind in your home area or as a result of professional contacts in the field, the first step is always to discuss this with the Coordinator. To ensure that the internship results in a significant educational experience, you will not be placed with an organization with whom you are, or have been employed in most circumstances. At the discretion of the Internship Coordinator, placements with existing employers may be approved under strict requirements. Placement Process 1. Identify the semester during which you hope to complete your internship requirement. 2. Complete the application materials. 3. Submit the application materials by the relevant deadline. 4. Receive notification that application will be accepted and placement made. 5. Meet with Coordinator to finalize potential placement law firm, agency or related organization. 6. Your resume, transcript, and writing sample are sent to the potential placement site for consideration. 7. Interested placement site(s) will contact you directly to schedule an interview. 8. If you are accepted for placement by the firm, agency or other organization, they will contact you directly. You are responsible for informing the Coordinator of the placement. 9. If you are declined for placement by the firm, agency or other organization, they will contact the Coordinator who will so inform you. a. Meet with Coordinator to select second round options, address deficiencies identified by first potential placement site. b. Continue this process until satisfactory placement is found. 10. Once your placement is confirmed, you will be approved to register for JUST 495. Required Forms Appended to this informational material you will find the forms you are required to submit to begin the application process. You may either print these forms and complete them offline (typewritten only), or complete each form online at the Justice Center Web Site and print it as completed. You may not complete and submit the forms online, however. The website is not designed to accept your internship application in this manner. Your application will be rejected if the required forms are not typewritten. Before 5 p.m. on the deadline date, your completed application materials must be received in the UAA Justice Center (faxed applications will not be accepted). Those materials include: 1. Application form 2. Insurance form 3. Information release form 3 (Rev. 5/10)

5 4. Your current resume 5. A sample of your legal writing. Your writing sample should be from one of your paralegal courses. Ideally, it should be not longer than five (5) pages. If a lengthy assignment represents your best work, segregate a portion of the document that can stand alone and serve as a writing sample. This writing sample will be submitted to the prospective placement site. When submitting your writing sample with the application materials, include both the corrected paper as returned to you by the instructor after grading (including the instructor s comments), and a clean sample that you would want the potential placement site to evaluate after you have incorporated your instructor s comments. You may be required to revise the writing sample in preparation for placement with an internship firm, agency or organization. Frequently Asked Questions 1. Will I be paid? Most internships are unpaid. Many organizations reimburse interns for mileage and related costs incurred in the performance of the intern s duties. When pay is available, it usually ranges from minimum wage to $12 per hour. 2. How many hours do I have to work to satisfy the requirement? You are required to perform a minimum of 225 hours of organized and approved work in the law firm, agency or organization. This work must be supervised, though each of the 225 hours need not occur in the physical confines of the placement site. Hours spent at the law library or conducting field interviews, for example, are clearly hours spent in completion of your internship responsibilities. Think of your internship hours as analogous to billable time. 3. How am I supposed to complete an internship if I already work full time, take classes, and have a family? By the time you are qualified to serve your internship, you have completed the other paralegal core courses. Throughout that course work, you ve been required to prioritize effectively, engage in problem solving, identify available resources and figure out how best to access them. Those same lessons apply here. If you have too many other commitments that take priority over the internship, you should reconsider your decision to complete your internship at this time. You should also discuss the challenges you face with the Internship Coordinator, who may be able to help you strategize ways to reach your goal. 4. I work at a law firm, so may I serve my internship there? Generally, no. The goals of the internship program include providing you with the opportunity to apply and extend your academic experience in a professional setting. Your internship should support your classroom-based instruction and increase your understanding of its relevance. You should be adding to your set of paralegal skills in meaningful ways. If an internship can be developed that will achieve the course objectives and goals at your place 4 (Rev. 5/10)

6 of employment, an internship at your current law firm might be approved. Do not count on that; it s not a given. 5. Will I be graded on my performance as an intern? Yes. This is a Pass/No Pass graded course. Your grade will be based on the evaluation of your supervising attorney and the Coordinator s assessment of the journal, your work product and your final paper. If you don t comply with the compulsory course requirements, you may be withdrawn or failed by the Coordinator. 6. What if I don t get along with my supervising attorney? If you have any problems or concerns during the course of your internship, you should contact the Coordinator. 7. What is the initial contract, and where do I find one? The initial contract is an agreement between you, your supervising attorney and the Coordinator. It establishes the purpose and structure of the internship as agreed between you and your placement site, then approved by the Coordinator. The contract is unique to your internship. You are required to draft the contract, and perform your internship according to its terms. 8. What is the point of the internship journal? The journal serves several purposes. First, it documents your compliance with the terms of your internship contract. Second, it identifies the type of work you performed and the work product generated during your internship. Third, it simulates the time management and reporting requirements necessary in most legal practices. Fourth, as a contemporaneous record reflecting on your work and experience, it provides useful information in completing your final paper requirement. 9. What happens if I do not keep up with my journal? You are required to submit your journal bi-weekly over Blackboard. This is a compulsory course requirement. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in a faculty-initiated withdrawal from the course, or a No Pass grade. 10. Is it likely that my internship will turn into a full time job after graduation? Permanent placement is not a goal of the internship program. Permanent placements have occurred, but are uncommon. 11. Will the University find me an internship? The Internship Coordinator will work with you and potential placement sites to establish your internship. However, there are occasionally impediments to placement arising from a student s work history or history of criminal conviction(s). The Internship Coordinator cannot guarantee that every student will be placed. 5 (Rev. 5/10)

7 Syllabus JUST Paralegal Internship Course Description Specially arranged field experiences for paralegal certificate students who have completed their core course work. Designed to expand knowledge and skills through supervised placements in justice, law, and governmental settings. The student must perform a minimum of 225 hours of organized and approved work (and observation) in a law firm, public agency or related organization for three credits. With special permission, a student may receive more credits for more work hours, up to a total possible six credits. Prerequisite Approval by Internship Coordinator. Place in Program As the final course in the Paralegal Certificate course of study, the required internship has been designated as an upper-division course because it presumes extensive knowledge of the subject matter covered previously in the program. Course Objectives Students will: (1) work directly under the supervision of an attorney or paralegal in an agency or law firm as arranged and approved by the Internship Coordinator; (2) identify and accomplish individualized learning goals related to legal practice; (3) assess and understand the structure of the placement law office or agency; (4) perform substantive tasks and acquire an understanding of the functions and duties of a paralegal in that professional environment; apply skills and knowledge learned in the classroom to the professional world. Course Requirements 1. Student is to draft and submit a one to two page initial/contract paper designating the internship placement, hours, supervisor, tasks and duties to be performed, including substantive areas of law where available. This document will be signed by the Supervisor, Coordinator and the student. 2. Student is to keep a contemporaneous journal of internship activities and submit these journal entries with any work product (confidential names deleted) on a bi-weekly basis to the Coordinator. The journal shall include a separate entry for each day of work in the placement. Each entry shall include (1) the date worked, (2) a detailed description of the task assigned, (3) work performed, (4) findings made and (5) the amount of time spent. 6 (Rev. 5/10)

8 3. Student is to provide a midterm evaluation of the internship experience in the format provided by the Coordinator. 4. Student is to submit a final paper of approximately pages covering: a. the role of the intern in the placement office and how the firm, agency or organization relates to the administration of civil or criminal justice in the local jurisdiction; b. the substantive areas of law the student researched, applied, and learned during the internship, including copies of student work (properly redacted to maintain confidentiality requirements) produced during the internship; c. issues relating to professional ethics presented in the course of the internship, how these were addressed and conclusions derived from the experience; and d. reflections on the internship experience as a whole and any suggestions for making it a more valuable experience. 5. Student is expected to be punctual and reliable complying with the requirements of the initial contract. Students are required to conform with the requirements of the Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct, with a particular emphasis on confidentiality. 6. Student's attendance may be required periodically at intern seminars held on the UAA campus during the semester. 7. Additional assignments are at the discretion of the Coordinator. Such assignments will be posted on Blackboard and the internship student is expected to monitor Blackboard regularly throughout the semester. Grading The final Pass/No Pass grade will be based on a written evaluation by the supervising attorney or paralegal, as well as the Coordinator's assessment of the journal entries, work products and final paper. Students who do not comply with the compulsory course requirements and meet all deadlines established by the coordinator may be withdrawn or failed by the Coordinator. Students who are asked by their supervisor to leave a placement prior to completion of 225 hours, or whose evaluations reveal that they have not met minimal standards set by their supervisor will receive a no pass grade. 7 (Rev. 9/09)

9 Paralegal Internship Application Forms You may either print these forms and complete them offline (typewritten only), or complete each form online at the Justice Center Web Site and print it as completed: Application form Insurance form Information release form Remember also to include with your application: Your current resume A sample of your legal writing Your application will be rejected if the required forms are not typewritten. Submit your application no later than 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date to the Justice Center in LIB 213. You may also mail your application to the Justice Center, but be sure to leave adequate time for it to arrive: applications received later than the deadline will not be accepted, regardless of the postmark on your envelope. Faxed applications will not be accepted. Justice Center University of Alaska Anchorage 3211 Providence Drive, LIB 213 Anchorage, AK Deadlines Your application materials must be To perform your internship received by the Coordinator during this semester by 5:00 p.m on this date Spring 2010 October 16, 2009 Fall 2010 February 19, 2010 Spring 2011 October 15, 2010 Fall 2011 February 18, 2011 Spring 2012 October 21, (Rev. 9/09)

10 INTERNSHIP APPLICATION (Please Type) Year Semester (check one) Fall Spring Summer Number of Credits Area of Interest Name UA ID Current Address No. and Street Home Phone City State Z ip Cell Phone Permanent Address No. and Street Home Phone City State Zip Date of Birth Driver s License # and State of Issue Social Security Number Address Number of Credits Completed to Date Justice/Paralegal GPA Cumulative GPA Degree Program (check one): B.A. A.A. Paralegal Certificate List the agency title or office name and city of the three most preferred internship placements. AGENCY TITLE / OFFICE NAME LOCATION List courses you have taken which would assist you in a placement. List Significant Work Experience, Including Volunteer Experience (attach additional pages, if necessary) Dates Employed Job Title Description Hours Per Week From To I authorize the Justice Center to provide my academic record to the placement organization to be used in the intern selection process. I authorize the Justice Center to provide my date of birth, social security number, and driver s license number to organizations requiring a background check. I release the Justice Center and its employees from all liability or harm arising out of communications regarding me, my academic record or personal background made in connection with my internship placement. Signature Date (Rev. 9/09)

11 INSURANCE ELECTION / REJECTION The Justice Center recommends that the student obtain accident insurance to cover injuries that a student might sustain while involved in the internship. A student may possess coverage from their own employment, coverage by a parent's policy, or other insurance purchased by the student such as the UAA student insurance. Student accident insurance is available through the UAA Statewide Risk Management Office. Information and application for the UAA Health Program or the UAA Student Accident Insurance are available from the Internship Coordinator. I certify that I have read the information above and: do want to obtain student accident insurance available through the University of Alaska Statewide Risk Management Office. do not want to obtain student accident insurance available through the University of Alaska Statewide Risk Management Office. Student Signature Date (Rev. 9/09)

12 Internship Information Release, FERPA Release, and Release of Liability Student name: Student ID number: (please print) I,, hereby authorize the University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center Internship Coordinator (or their designee) to provide information to agencies or law firms interested in sponsoring me as an intern. I understand that this may include, but is not limited to, my grade point average, courses I have taken, grades received in courses, a copy of my transcript, date of birth, social security number, and drivers license number. The information may be given in the following form(s): (check one or both spaces) written oral I authorize the above named person to provide an evaluation of any aspect of my academic performance, whether based on personal observation or on my education records at UAA, and to release information from my education records, including my grades, GPA, class rank, any information pertaining to my education at other institutions I have previously attended, and any other personally identifiable information. I authorize release of this information and reference or evaluation to: (check all applicable spaces) all organizations considering me for an internship placement OR specific organizations (list name and address on reverse side) all prospective employers OR specific employers (list name and address on reverse side) I understand that under the Family Educational and Privacy Rights Act, 20 USC 1232g: (1) I have the right not to consent to the release of my education records; (2) I have the right to receive of copy of any written reference upon request; and (3) I may, but am not required to, waive my right of access to confidential references given for any of the purposes listed above. I waive my right of access to references given by the above named person. I do not waive my right of access to references given by the above-named person. This consent shall remain in effect until revoked by me, in writing, and delivered to the abovenamed person, but any such revocation shall not affect disclosures made prior to the person s receipt of my written revocation. I release UAA, its employees and the person(s) providing the above described reference or evaluation from all claims and liability for damages that may result from their compliance with this request. Student Signature Date (Rev. 9/09)