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FAQ

• What is the difference between the Legislative Internship Program and the Legislation Clinics?
• What is the difference between the Legislative Internship Program and the Legal Externship Program?
• May I choose my placement?
• May I find my own placement?
• Does the final paper for the Legislative Internship Program satisfy the Upperclass Writing Requirement?

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. See Frequently Asked Questions About the Legislation Clinics and Frequently Asked Questions About the Legislative Internship Program.

What is the difference between the Legislative Internship Program and the Legal Externship Program?

The two programs are similar. Both involve a field placement, a seminar, a weekly journal and a final paper. The principal differences lie in the type of field placement and the content of the seminar and paper. In the Legislative Internship Program, you do your fieldwork in the Massachusetts legislature with a state Senator or Representative. The seminar and final paper will focus on issues relevant to the legislature, including legislative process, legislative problem-solving, legislative research and legislative drafting. Note: Unlike the seminar for the Legal Externship Program, the seminar for the Legislative Internship Program does not satisfy the Professional Responsibility requirement.

May I choose my placement?

Yes, to a large extent. You may request a placement with a like-minded legislator. Not all legislators will be participating in the program each semester, but we will make every effort to ensure a compatible placement.

May I find my own placement?

In some cases. Speak with Prof. Sean Kealy if you have a particular placement in mind.

Does the final paper for the Legislative Internship Program satisfy the Upperclass Writing Requirement?

No. However, you may satisfy that requirement through the Legislation Clinics.