FAQ

What is the difference between the Legislative Internship Program and the Legislation Clinics?

Both programs are one-semester, clinical courses open to second-year and third-year students. The Legislative Internship Program includes fieldwork (210 hours; approx. 16 hours/week) in the office of a Senator or Representative in the Massachusetts legislature. As an intern, you also participate in a weekly seminar and prepare a weekly journal and a final paper. (Interns receive three graded credits for the seminar and three ungraded credits for the fieldwork.) The Legislation Clinics include the General Legislation Clinic, Intellectual Property Legislation Clinic and Health & Environmental Legislation Clinic. As a drafter, you draft a proposed law and a supporting research report for a client. Your client may be a legislator, non-profit organization or government agency. Drafters receive six graded credits. Satisfactory completion of the research report satisfies the Upperclass Writing Requirement. If you select the Intellectual Property Legislation Clinic or the Health & Environmental Legislation Clinic, you may count the clinic toward the Intellectual Property Concentration or the Health Law Concentration.

What are the chances of a 2L getting into the Legislative Internship Program or the Legislation Clinics?

Second-year students are welcome in both programs. In the Legislative Internship Program, preference goes to third-year students. However, in the Legislation Clinics, we prefer a mix of second-year and third-year students. If you participate in the Legislation Clinics as a drafter in your second year, you also may have the chance to serve as an editor afterward.

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How do I apply?

Students who would like to participate in the Legislation Clinics in Fall 2007 or Spring 2008 must submit an Application and Preference form by Friday, April 27. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

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If I am interested in other clinical programs as well, what application forms do I need to submit?

The application and preference form for the Legislation Clinics and the Legislative Internship Program is separate from the one used by the other clinics. For those clinics, you will need to submit a Clinical Programs Application and Preference Form. You may apply to more than one program, but you may participate in only one clinical program per semester.

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If I don’t plan to work in government, what do the Legislation Clinics offer?

Statutes and regulations have become central to lawyers’ work in the private sector as well as the public. Private lawyers not only advise clients on existing law but also draft and comment on changes in the law during the legislative process. Alumni of the Legislation Clinics now work in every practice setting, including large and small law firms and corporate law departments. Many report that their experience in the Legislation Clinics was the chief topic of their interviews for private sector positions. Find out what students and alumni are saying.

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May I choose my own project?

Yes. The Legislation Clinics provide a list of projects, and drafters select from the list.

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May I find my own client and project?

Yes, if it will offer an adequate learning experience. If you have a client or project in mind, please speak with Prof. Robert Seidman.

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May I take more than one of the Legislation Clinics?

Not as a drafter. However, if you are selected as a clinic editor, you may serve as an editor in any of the clinics. Find out about becoming an editor.

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In which semester is it best to take the Legislation Clinics?

You may register as a drafter in one of the Legislation Clinics in the Fall or the Spring of your second or third year. All other things being equal, participating as a drafter in your second year gives you the chance to serve as an editor for two semesters. Find out about becoming an editor.

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