LEGAL STUDIES INSTITUTE
May 21 – July 30, 2011,Washington, D.C.
The Legal Studies Institute, sponsored by The Fund for American Studies, provides the opportunity for first and second year law students to gain a first-hand look at the American legal system through guaranteed legal internships, a 3-credit constitutional law course, guest speakers and briefings, and professional development activities.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
• Legal Internship: Participants will be placed in a 9-week summer associate position, clerkship or legal internship where they will work full-time and gain substantive experience in the legal profession. Internship sites include law firms, courts, public interest organizations and the legal departments of trade associations, corporations and government agencies.
• Briefings and Activities: Participants will attend private briefings at institutions of the judicial, legislative and executive branches and will meet with prominent judges, lawyers and judicial scholars. Last year’s class met with Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and D.C. Federal Court of Appeals Judge Douglas Ginsburg.
• Career Development Activities: Workshops will be held to help prepare participants for success in their law careers, and planned networking events will facilitate professional interaction.
• Attorney Mentor Program: Each participant will be matched with an experienced lawyer who will serve as a professional mentor during and after the program.
• 3-Credit Course on Constitutional Law: Participants will attend a course on Constitutional law for the first week of the Institute. The course is accredited by Ohio Northern University College of Law and is taught by leading legal scholars, including Professor John Baker of Louisiana State University and Dr. Roger Pilon of the Cato Institute.(Check with Academic Affairs about transfer credit).
• Housing: Students will live in fully-furnished apartments in downtown Washington, DC and are matched with other Institute participants. The apartments provide easy access to the DC metro transportation system.
• Scholarships: 75% of students receive scholarship awards based on financial need and merit. Merit Scholarships are also available, providing $3,500 towards tuition and housing costs. More information on the Merit Scholarships:
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis. Students are encouraged to apply by the early deadline of February 11, 2011 to receive priority admissions consideration and a 5% discount on their tuition balance. Many legal internship sites request resumes early in the year for their upcoming summer positions, so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. You may request an informational brochure.
