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Environmental/Land Use

City of Tallahassee – Environmental and Land Use

Credits: 4

The City Attorney's Office is the legal department for the City of Tallahassee, Florida. Land use externs will work on a variety of matters which may include planning and zoning, revisions to comprehensive plan, building permitting, site plan approval, variances, local environmental permitting, stormwater regulation, code enforcement and community redevelopment. Externs may attend meetings and prepare proposed orders or agenda materials for boards and committees including the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Commission, Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Downtown Improvement Authority, City of Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency, Canopy Roads Advisory Committee, Development Review Committee, Municipal Code Enforcement Board, Environmental Board and Tallahassee City Commission. Land use externs will perform research, perform analysis and provide opinions concerning city ordinances, state statutes and governing law. Externs may prepare or review real estate transactional documents, including easements and liens.

City of Tampa-Environmental and Land Use

Credits: 6

Students work with assistant city attorneys on a variety of legal issues in a metropolitan setting. Students are paired with attorneys based on their substantive area of interest and also with a litigator.  The City has ongoing environmental, land use, and water projects, making this a good place for a student pursuing an environmental law certificate.

Division of Administrative Hearings - Environmental

Credits: 6

Students are assigned to serve as an extern law clerk for an administrative law judge who primarily handles environmental cases at the Division of Administrative Hearings. Duties include legal research, drafting memoranda, and preparing orders. Students have an opportunity to improve their research, writing and analytical skills, and to gain an understanding of the jurisdiction and procedures of the Division of Administrative Hearings. Students gain exposure to substantive environmental law. 

Earthjustice

Credits: 4

Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund is an independent, nonprofit, environmental law firm with nine regional offices across the U.S. The office provides free legal services to citizen groups and environmental organizations in cases involving forests, public lands, wildlife and habitat, communities and health, clean water, coasts and wetlands, clean air, trade and the environment. Students will assist attorneys with investigation of facts by conducting interviews, doing on-site observations, requesting and reviewing government records, and conducting research at libraries and on the internet. They will assist with ongoing litigation by drafting pleadings, motions, memoranda, briefs, discovery requests, stipulations, final judgments and orders. Students will also complete legal research on assigned topics, and submit oral and written findings to supervising attorneys. 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Office of General Counsel

Credits: 4-6

Students work under the supervision of one of the Deputy General Counsels of DEP. Students handle cases that involve representing the Department in administrative hearings. Students gain experience in legal research, drafting of pleadings and motions, preparation of expert witnesses, depositions and settlement negotiations. 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Credits: 4

Students externing at the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are assigned to work in the Legal Office. Students will have the opportunity to work on a range of issues related to programs such as Freshwater and Marine Fisheries, Habitat and Species Conservation, Hunting and Game Management, Law Enforcement, including Captive Wildlife and Boating and Waterways, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and the Office of Executive Director. Students primarily conduct legal research and draft memoranda. As available, students also may assist in judicial and administrative litigation, participate in agency rule making, attend commission meetings, draft agency legislation, and draft internal policies and procedures. Students have an opportunity to develop skills in fact gathering and field investigation, identifying and applying law to facts, counseling a government agency, and drafting memoranda. Students also have an opportunity to become more knowledgeable in the substantive areas of the law regulating wildlife in the state of Florida.

Florida Public Service Commission

Credits: 4

Students work in the Commission's General Counsel's office. Students duties include the preparation of legal memoranda and hearing preparation and execution. Students have an opportunity to develop an understanding of the advisory staff attorney's role and learn the law regulating utilities in Florida. 

Florida Public Service Commission

Credits: 4

Students work in the Commission's General Counsel's office. Students’ duties include the preparation of legal memoranda and hearing preparation and execution. Students have an opportunity to develop an understanding of the advisory staff attorney's role and learn the law regulating utilities in Florida.

Florida Sea Grant

Credits: 3

Florida Sea Grant is a university-based program that supports research, education and extension to conserve coastal resources and enhance economic opportunities. It is a partnership of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Florida Board of Education, and Florida local governments. Statewide specialists assist state and local governments with topics including seafood safety, boating and waterway management, coastal conservation law, aquaculture and fisheries management. Our student will assist the Coastal Planning Specialist in Gainesville assess legal and fiscal liabilities through research and writing with the potential to apply knowledge learned to drafting of model or proposed local policies. The student may assist the Coastal Planning Specialist with project-related work on sea-level rise or coastal resilience projects at the local or state levels.

Governor's Office of Policy and Budget - Environmental Unit

Students work under the supervision of the policy coordinator or policy advisor of the Environmental Unit. During legislative session (spring semester), students will read and track bills filed, gather facts, discern legal issues within bills, attend committee meetings related to bills, attend internal and external policy-development meetings, and follow federal legislative developments. Outside of the legislative session (summer and fall semesters), tasks will be similar, but will involve proposed legislation rather than filed bills. Also, there are no committee meetings during the summer semester.

Students may not assist with non-legal work, constituent correspondence, fundraising, or campaign-related activities as part of their externship experience. 

Credit: 3 credits
Number of Positions: 1 
Prerequisites: Students must have satisfactorily completed first year curriculum and one environmental law course. Students do not have to be certified pursuant to the Student Practice Rule
Recommended Courses: All environmental law courses, Administrative Law, and Economics.
Selection Process: Selection is based on the student applicant's overall record, courses, grades, career goals, expected graduation date, and other externships taken.

Humane Society of the United States

Credits: 4
(Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, Seattle)

Students are assigned to work in the Animal Protection Litigation Section in one of five core litigation groups:  Farm Animals, Companion Animals and Animal Cruelty, Wildlife, Legislation, and International Law & Trade.  Students also work with HSUS’ large network of pro bono attorneys.  Externs conduct research and write memoranda of law on a variety of legal issues related to the protection of animals.  They also assist with policy development by drafting comments on proposed legislation, and with litigation of cases. 

NextEra Energy/Florida Power & Light Company

Credits: 4-6

Tallahassee Office: The student will work with NextEra Energy/Florida Power & Light Company’s Environmental and Land Use Practice Group in Tallahassee and will research and write memoranda to assist attorneys with representation of the companies in regulatory matters before the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Public Service Commission and other agencies. Students may assist with power plant siting, pipeline siting, endangered species issues, water and air regulations, and other environmental legal topics. Students typically attend teleconferences, in-person meetings, hearings, and other events with their supervisor, including a tour of the company's headquarters in Juno Beach. Juno Beach Office: Students will work with the lawyers responsible for merger and acquisition transactions, implementing and improving compliance systems, and managing corporate finance and governance matters. In addition to completing assignments, students will be invited to attend meetings with attorneys.

Southwest Florida Water Management District

Credits: 4-6

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (“District”) is responsible for managing and protecting water resources in west-central Florida. The student will work with the District’s Office of General Counsel in legal issues related to managing water supply, protecting water quality and preserving natural systems that serve important water-related functions. The student will participate in legal research and will draft memos, motions, pleadings, briefs, easements, and deeds. The student will also take part in compliance and enforcement activities (researching statutory/regulatory requirements, interacting with staff, drafting letters, consent orders). He/she will also accompany attorneys to meetings, hearings, and depositions. The student will gain knowledge in state environmental law, state administrative law, and property law.

U.S. Department of Justice - Environment and Natural Resources Division

Credits: 6-10
(Seattle, WA, Washington, D.C.)

The Environmental Enforcement Section (EES) is responsible for representing the United States in federal civil enforcement of all major environmental statutes, including CERCLA, RCRA, Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act. Students assist Justice trial attorneys by conducting research and drafting memoranda, discovery, motions and briefs. Students may participate in conference calls and strategy planning sessions with counsel and technical experts and attend depositions, negotiations or court hearings, if held in the Washington, D.C., area. This externship is available in the fall, spring and summer. Students are required to work 40 hours per week for 13 weeks.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance

(Washington, D.C.) 

More information coming soon!

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Office of Environmental Accountability

(Atlanta)

More information coming soon!

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Office of Regional Counsel

Credits: 6

The Office of Regional Counsel is the chief legal advisor to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the agency with primary responsibility for implementing the nation’s environmental laws. Students will be assigned to one of nine legal offices and will conduct research and write memoranda of law on a variety of environmental legal issues. Students may also assist with policy development by drafting comments on proposed legislation, and with litigation of cases. Offices of Regional Counsel are located in Atlanta (Region 4); Boston (Region 1); Chicago (Region 5); Dallas (Region 6); Denver (Region 8); New York City (Region 2); Philadelphia (Region 3); San Francisco (Region 9); and Seattle (Region 10). 

Labor/Employment

Florida Attorney General — Employment

Credits: 6

Students assist in the representation of the State of Florida against state and federal civil actions and in administrative proceedings alleging unlawful adverse employment actions. Students should have a strong interest in Employment Discrimination Law. Students activities include drafting legal memoranda, participating in all phases of discovery, drafting motions and assisting in the general preparation of cases for trial. Students have an opportunity to develop skills in fact gathering and field investigations, identifying and applying facts to law, developing case strategy, drafting legal instruments and negotiating and settling cases.

Florida Commission on Human Relations

Students externing at the Florida Commission on Human Relations work in a clerkship capacity for the General Counsel's office. Duties include legal research and writing, investigation of complaints, technical assistance to investigators, and the review of investigator's reports for legal sufficiency. Students also draft investigatory determinations for the commission, prepare bench summaries, critically observe administrative hearings, and draft final orders for the commission. Students have an opportunity to develop competency in fact gathering and field investigation, identifying and applying facts to law, and writing briefs and summaries. Students also become familiar with Florida's employment discrimination laws and with the judicial and administrative process. 

Credit: 6 credits
Number of Positions: 1
Prerequisites: Students are not certified pursuant to the Student Practice Rule. Students must have satisfactorily completed Evidence. 
Recommended Courses: Employment Discrimination (strongly recommended), Administrative Law.
Selection Process: The selection process is handled by the faculty supervisor in conjunction with the general counsel of the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Selection is based on the student applicant's overall record, courses, grades, career goals, expected graduation date, and other externships taken. A special emphasis in the selection process is placed on the student's interest in the area of employment discrimination.

Florida Department of Corrections- Employment Litigation Section

Credits: 6

The Department of Corrections is one of the largest employers in the state. Students will work in the Employment Litigation Section of the Office of the General Counsel and will represent the Department in cases involving the Florida Career Service System, the Florida Civil Rights Act, the Florida Drug Free Workplace Act, and the Family Medical Leave Act, among other substantive areas. Students will gain experience in basic lawyering skills such as fact gathering, identifying and applying law to facts, developing case strategy, drafting pre-trial stipulations, anticipating evidentiary problems, and drafting documents used in the disciplinary process. Students will participate in administrative hearings and will prepare pre-hearing and post-hearing documents. 

Florida Public Employee Relations Commission Office

Credits: 6

Students externing at the Public Employee Relations Commission work in a clerkship capacity for the office of the General Counsel of the agency. Students duties include the preparation of legal memoranda and orders in judicial and administrative proceedings. Students work in conjunction with Commission staff attorneys on briefs when Commission orders are appealed. Students may also assist in handling elections. Students have an opportunity to develop drafting and research skills, and to become familiar with the rules and laws governing public labor law in the State of Florida. 

U.S. Department of Justice-Civil Rights Division

(Washington, D.C.) 

More information coming soon!

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – New York (EEOC)

Credits: 6

Students externing with the Legal Unit of the EEOC will be paired with an attorney and will assist her and other EEOC staff with investigating, analyzing and prosecuting charges of discrimination before litigation. The student will conduct legal research and writing relating to employment discrimination and general federal practice issues such as discovery, trial practice and evidence. Students will be involved with interviewing claimants, drafting discovery demands and responses, summarizing deposition testimony, attending depositions and court conferences, analyzing documents, using litigation support software, and assisting with outreach projects. The student will also observe any ongoing trials of the supervising attorney.

Local Government

City of Jacksonville Office of the General Counsel Municipal Law Clinic

Credits: 6

Students assist in representing the Municipal/County consolidated government as well as independent agencies and commissions, such as the Duval County School Board, the Jacksonville Electric Authority, the Jacksonville Port Authority, and the Jacksonville Housing Authority, in an array of practice areas, including commercial litigation, environmental law, labor and employment law, constitutional law, and personal injury litigation. Students with particular interests may request related assignments. The Office has an established law student clinic program that includes orientation, tours of government sites, task evaluations, and weekly meetings. Students will have some opportunity to appear in court. 

City of Tallahassee Attorney’s Office

Credits: 6

Students assist in representing the City of Tallahassee in cases involving animal control, subrogation, contracts, utilities, police forfeitures, eminent domain, land use, and writs of garnishment. 

City of Tampa Attorney's Office

Information coming soon!

Leon County Attorney's Office

Credits: 6

Students will assist in representing Leon County in a variety of civil and administrative cases filed against, or, on behalf of, the county and its officials. Types of cases range from animal control actions to zoning disputes, Comprehensive Plan amendments, challenges to personnel actions and mortgage foreclosure hearings, as well as proceedings before the Code Enforcement Board and Contractor’s Licensing Board. Students will draft pleadings, argue motions if scheduling allows, and may be involved in aspects of pre-trial preparation, including witness interviews, interrogatories and requests for admissions, depositions and exhibit preparation. Students may also choose to attend Board of County Commission meetings, which begin at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Palm Beach County Attorney's Office

Credits: 6

Students externing with the Palm Beach Attorney's Office assist in representing the County in litigation filed on behalf of or against the county and its officials. Students work in various divisions within the office, depending on their interest. Such areas include land use, contracts, environmental, and litigation. 

Sarasota County Attorney's Office

Credits: 6

Students externing with the Sarasota County Attorney's Office assist in representing Sarasota County in litigation filed on behalf of or against the county and its officials. Students assist in proceedings before the Board of Code Enforcement, and assist in condemnation hearings and mediations. 

Seminole County Attorney's Office

Credits: 6

Students externing with the Seminole County Attorney's Office assist in representing Seminole County in litigation filed on behalf of or against the county and its officials.

Legal Services/Legal Aid

Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida

Credits: 6
(Central Florida)

Students are assigned as lawyers for indigent clients with general civil problems. Students are introduced to basic lawyering skills such as interviewing, fact gathering, field investigation, identifying and applying law to facts, diagnosing a client's problem and developing case strategy. In addition, students become familiar with the drafting of legal documents, with the discovery process and with the negotiating and settlement of cases. 

Disability Rights Florida

Credits: 6

Disability Rights Florida litigates cases on behalf of people suffering mental or physical disabilities. Cases involve such issues as educational discrimination, Baker Act procedures, excessive restraints used against mentally disabled individuals, vocational rehabilitation, and Medicaid awards. The Center litigates individual as well as class action cases. 

Florida Department of Children and Families

Credits: 6-9

The Florida Department of Children and Families is responsible for representing the state’s interest in juvenile proceedings, as well as protecting children from neglect and/or abuse. Students in this office are assigned their own caseloads under supervision. Students obtain a working knowledge of juvenile dependency law. Students interview clients and Department caseworkers, draft original petitions, motions, and orders; and argue the Department’s position at hearings. 

Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, Inc.

Credits: 6-9
(Miami)

Students represent indigent clients in immigration actions, including petitions seeking asylum and defense of deportation actions. Bilingual students (Spanish and/or Haitian) are preferred for this placement. Practice focuses on interviewing, case analysis and strategy, and the drafting of pleadings and motions before the federal Immigration and Naturalization Service. 

Florida Rural Legal Services

Credits: 6-12
(Ft. Myers)

Students are assigned as lawyers for indigent clients with general civil problems. Students assist in all aspects of representation of clients in judicial and administrative proceedings. Students are introduced to basic lawyering skills such as interviewing, fact gathering, field investigation, identifying and applying law to facts, diagnosing a client’s problem, and developing case strategy. In addition, students become familiar with the drafting of legal documents, with the discovery process, and with the negotiating and settlement of cases. 

Guardian Ad Litem

Credits: 6
(Tallahassee, Orlando, West Palm Beach)

The Guardian Ad Litem program represents guardians who are appointed by the court to represent children in a variety of cases, including dependency cases, family law cases in which the child is a victim or witness, and in criminal cases in which the child is a victim or witness. Students are assigned a significant number of their own cases in which they represent the appointed guardian in court proceedings. Students will engage in a number of pretrial activities, such as drafting pleadings and motions, responses, and pretrial stipulations. Students will conduct hearings and prepare witnesses to testify. Students will also draft orders reflecting the court's decision. 

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid

Credits: 6-12
(Jacksonville)

Students are assigned as lawyers for indigent clients with general civil problems. Students assist in all aspects of representation of clients in judicial and administrative proceedings. Students are introduced to basic lawyering skills such as interviewing, fact gathering, field investigation, identifying and applying law to facts, diagnosing a client's problem, and developing case strategy. In addition, students become familiar with the drafting of legal documents, with the discovery process, and with the negotiating and settlement of cases. Students also are exposed to administrative hearings and civil trials. Students develop substantive knowledge in the areas of governmental benefits, family law and employment discrimination, real property and/or consumer law. 

Legal Aid Society

Credits: 6-12
(Orlando)

Students are assigned as lawyers for indigent clients with general civil problems. Students assist in all aspects of representation of clients in judicial and administrative proceedings. Students are introduced to basic lawyering skills such as interviewing, fact gathering, field investigation, identifying and applying law to facts, diagnosing a client's problem, and developing case strategy. In addition, students become familiar with the drafting of legal documents, with the discovery process, and with the negotiating and settlement of cases. Students also are exposed to administrative hearings and civil trials. Students develop substantive knowledge in the areas of governmental benefits, family law and employment discrimination, real property and/or consumer law. 

Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County

Credits: 12
(West Palm Beach)

This program focuses primarily on family law issues and provides more intensive courtroom experience (generally including several hearings and some trial experience) than most other civil or administrative placements. Students assist in all aspects of representation of clients in judicial and administrative proceedings. In addition, students become familiar with the drafting of legal documents, with the discovery process and with the negotiation and settlement of cases. 

Legal Services of Broward County

Credits: 6
(Ft. Lauderdale)

Students are assigned as lawyers for indigent clients with general civil problems. Students are introduced to basic lawyering skills such as interviewing, fact gathering, field investigation, identifying and applying law to facts, diagnosing a client's problem, and developing case strategy. In addition, students become familiar with the drafting of legal documents, with the discovery process, and with the negotiating and settlement of cases. 

Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.

Credits: 6-12
(Miami)

Students assist in all aspects of representation of clients in judicial and administrative proceedings. Students are introduced to basic lawyering skills such as interviewing, fact gathering, field investigation identifying and applying law to facts, diagnosing a client’s problem and developing case strategy. In addition, students become familiar with the drafting of legal documents, with the discovery process, and with the negotiating and settlement of cases. Students also are exposed to administrative hearings and civil trials. Students develop substantive knowledge in the areas of governmental benefits, family law, housing, and/or consumer law. 

Legal Services of North Florida

Credits: 6-12
(Tallahassee, Quincy, Panama City, Pensacola)

Students are assigned as lawyers for indigent clients with general civil problems. Students assist in all aspects of representation of clients in judicial and administrative proceedings. Students are introduced to basic lawyering skills such as interviewing, fact gathering, field investigation, identifying and applying law to facts, diagnosing a client's problem, and developing case strategy. In addition, students become familiar with the drafting of legal documents, with the discovery process, and with the negotiating and settlement of cases. Students also are exposed to administrative hearings and civil trials. Students develop substantive knowledge in the areas of governmental benefits, family law and employment discrimination, real property, and/or consumer law.

Credits: 4

This is a lower credit version of the existing externship at LSNF with no prerequisites to make it more available to students. Students assist persons with low incomes with civil matters, including foreclosure defense, domestic violence, landlord tenant and public housing disputes, and others.

Legal Services of North Florida Low-Income Tax Clinic

Credits: 4
(Tallahassee, Quincy)

Students assist persons with low incomes with tax disputes with the IRS, including cases resulting from identity theft, dependents being stolen, unlawful practices by tax preparers, an innocent spouse who is the victim of a disgruntled spouse, and tax consequences of foreclosure. Professor Steve Johnson will hold four hours of class with students doing this externship, scheduled with participating students.

North Florida Center for Equal Justice (NFCEJ)

Credits: 4

NFCEJ serves 16 north Florida counties and provides legal services to address housing and consumer problems that affect large numbers of low-income persons. Students will receive preliminary training about the particular project they will be working on (e.g., eviction, foreclosure, affordable housing preservation and development, consumer protection, predatory lending, employer abuse of immigrants) including procedural matters and substantive law, and then they will be assigned a caseload. In each assigned case, students will gather and review relevant information and evaluate it to determine claims and defenses. In collaboration with the supervising attorney, the student will form a case plan and process the case, which may include meeting with the client, informal fact gathering, formal discovery, additional legal research, negotiating with opposing parties, and drafting letters, motions and pleadings.