Externship Placement Descriptions
| Advocacy Placements | |
|---|---|
| Legislative | |
Legislative
Supervising Attorney: variable
Legislative Advocacy is a new placement focused toward communication with lobbyists and organizations in an effort to change Indiana law for the benefit of our state. The Legislative Advocacy placement analyzes legislation, suggests laws for issues currently not listed under Indiana law, and works with a variety of not for profit organizations to advance their legislative agendas. A student placed in the Legislative Advocacy placement would work closely with and under supervision of a Supervising Attorney at one or more organizations. Participating organizations have included the Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues, Improving Kids' Environment, Department for Workforce Development, Inc., and the Energy Policy Initiative.
Attorney General's Office, Legislative Liaison
Supervising Attorney: Jennifer Thuma, Legislative Outreach Coordinator
An extern to this office works directly with the legislative liaison for the Office of the Attorney General when the General Assembly is in Session. As a result, this PLSG placement is only available in the Spring semester. Additionally, students interested in this placement should strongly consider beginning their externship placment at or before the first day of the General Assembly Session (usually the first Tuesday in January). Doing so will allow for more effective orientation to the legislative work required by the placmement. Responsibilities include staffing legislative committee meetings, preparing legislative liaison for meetings and negotiations, and reading and commenting proposed legislation.
Attorney General's Office, Advisory Division
Supervising Attorney: Kevin McDowell, Deputy Attorney General
The Advisory Division is responsible for guiding officials in their efforts to understand specific state statutes, policies and procedures, thus, enabling elected officials to do their best while making intelligent, well-considered decisions. Large state agencies and individual officials alike depend on the Advisory Division's counsel for their expertise. An extern assigned to this Division would assist in the publishing of official opinions related to significant state issues. Please be advised, however, that the Advisory Division does not make or recommend policy.
Attorney General's Office, Appeals Division
Supervising Attorney: Arturo Rodriguez II, Deputy Attorney General
The Appeals Division has three sections: the Habeas Corpus Section, the Criminal Appeals Section and the Civil Appeals Section. An extern assigned to the Appeals Division would assist Deputy Attorneys General represent the State by reviewing trial records and preparing written pleadings and briefs. Externs may also have the opportunity to observe an oral argument before a state or federal Court of Appeal.
Attorney General's Office, Civil Litigation Division
Supervising Attorney: variable
In conjunction with the Division for Civil Rights and Employment, an extern assigned to this office would assist Deputy Attorneys General in representing the State by defending the State against charges of civil rights violations and employment discrimination.
Attorney General's Office, Consumer Protection Division
Supervising Attorney: Gabrielle Owens, Section Chief
An extern assigned to this Division would assist Deputy Attorneys General with legal issues arising from handling claims of patient abuse, enforcing Indiana's Do Not Call list, monitoring compliance with the $206 billion Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) provisions, enforcing restrictions placed upon the tobacco industry in the areas of marketing, advertising, promotions, and sponsorship.
Attorney General's Office, Consumer Services Division
Supervising Attorney: variable
The Consumer Services Division is responsible for investigating and prosecuting complaints against licensed health care practitioners and other licensed professionals. An extern to this Division would assist Deputy Attorneys General litigate complaints in administrative proceedings before the boards that issued the practitioners' licenses. The Division is also responsible for investigating, mediating and litigating complaints involving Medicaid fraud and other consumer transactions. Additionally, this division engages in extensive consumer education and outreach programs.
Attorney General's Office, General Litigation Division
Supervising Attorney: Donald Banta, Section Chief
The General Litigation Division contains five sections: Collections/Bankruptcy Section, Environmental Section, Real Estate Litigation Section and Investigations Section. An extern in this office would assist Deputy Attorneys General in screening litigation complaints and taking the appropriate cases before the appropriate administrative boards.
Attorney General's Office, Governmental Litigation Division
Supervising Attorney: Patricia Erdmann, Section Chief
The Governmental Litigation Division defends actions and decisions of the Department of Revenue and the State Board of Tax Commissioners, most civil rights suits brought against the state, and challenges to civil statutes and regulations and to decisions and policies of state agencies. An extern to this Division would help Deputy Attorneys General prepare to defend the state in areas of tax, civil rights and state law and policy.
Attorney General's Office, Solicitor General
Supervising Attorney: Thomas M. Fisher, Solicitor General
Created in 2005, Indiana's first solicitor general's responsibilities include handling cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. An extern to this placement would assist the solicitor general in comprehensive legal and policy research. Writing responsibilities would include legal memoranda and correspondence with other state solicitor generals concerning coordinating state issue legal policy.
Department of Education
Supervising Attorney: Dana Long, Legal Counsel
The Department of Education implements state statutes concerning public education in the state of Indiana, implements policies and procedures established by the State Board of Education, conduct analytical research to assist the State Board of Education in setting public education policies for the state, and to provide technical assistance to Indiana's public schools. A legal extern at the Department would work under the supervision of the General Counsel to the Department. The extern would have the opportunity to research legal issues affecting public education in the state of Indiana and assist in the preparation and representation of the Indiana Department of Education in administrative hearings, litigation, and other legal matters involving the Department.
Office of the Governor
Supervising Attorney: Anita Kolkmeier-Samuel, Assistant General Counsel
The Governor's Chief Counsel and legal staff provide legal advice to the Governor of Indiana. They interact with the Attorney General and his staff, general counsel and legal staff of state agencies, and outside counsel. Major areas of legal research would include state and federal constitutional issues, tax, health, education, insurance, welfare, and environmental regulation. An extern to this office would assist the Chief Counsel and the Governor's legal staff in researching legal and policy issues, surveying potential and proposed legislation, and assisting in the development of public policy statements.
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Supervising Attorney: Kyleen Nash, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel
An extern to this Office would provide legal research and support to the General Counsel for Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman and the offices under the auspices of the Lieutenant Governor: Office of Tourism Development, Energy Group, Office of Rural Affairs, and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.
Secretary of State's Office
Supervising Attorney: Jerry Bonnet, General Counsel
externs to this Office will work with attorneys within several divisions including, the UCC Division (handles the filings required under Title 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code), the Corporations Division (clearinghouse of corporate and other business entity information), the General Counsel's Office (employment law, contract law, election and recount/contest law, laws regulating notary publics and public officers, administrative law and governmental ethics), and the Securities Division (investigation and enforcement proceedings).
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Supervising Attorney: variable
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles administers the laws concerning driver's licenses, plates, vehicle titles, and dealer services in the state of Indiana. An extern to this office will work with the Chief Legal Counsel and a staff of three lawyers on legal issues concerning the Bureau and new and proposed legislation impacting the Bureau's work.
Civil Rights Commission
Supervising Attorney: Joshua Brewster, Deputy Director
Externs for the Indiana Civil Rights Commission will have opportunities to work with the Commission's lawyers in the areas of civil rights, education, public accommodation, and housing. Externs will rotate through all of the units of the Civil Rights Commission during the course of the externship.
Department of Child Services
Supervising Attorney: Jennifer Hubartt, Chief Legal Counsel
The Indiana Department of Child Services protects children from abuse and neglect by partnering families and communities to provide safe, nurturing, and stable homes. Established in 2005, the main administrative offices for the Department are in Indiana Government Center South. However, most PLSG students are placed in the Marion County Regional Office, located at 4150 Keystone Avenue. A student placement placed with the Department of Child Services will work under the supervision of his or her Supervising Attorneys in reviewing cases set for trial on a variety of related issues including child support, termination of parental rights, and adoption.
Department of Correction
Supervising Attorney: Robert Bugher, Director, Legal Counsel
Indiana's Department of Correction is essentially the landlord of about 18,000 inmate/tenants. One of the state's largest agencies, with almost 8,000 employees, the Department of Correction is charged with the mission of protecting the public by incarcerating offenders, preparing virtually all offenders for community release, while complying with all constitutional, legislative, judicial and executive mandates, and facilitating community services development to decrease commitments of adults and juveniles. The Department's Legal Services/Internal Audits Division is responsible for providing legal representation to the Department, conducting internal affairs investigations within the Department, and communicating the Department's needs and concerns to Indiana lawmakers. A legal extern to the Department of Correction would work with the four to five attorneys in the Legal Services Division with myriad legal issues involving civil rights cases, rulemaking, and employment issues.
Department of Environmental Management
Supervising Attorney: Stan Rorick, Senior Legal Counsel
The Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) serves as the legal advisor for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). The office's attorneys represent the Agency in administrative hearings and in the creation and enforcement of environmental regulations. An intern with IDEM's Office of Legal Counsel would be able to assist IDEM attorneys in researching environmental law issues, preparing arguments for administrative hearings before the Office of Environmental Adjudication, and participating in IDEM's rulemaking initiatives.
Department of Homeland Security
Supervising Attorney: Mara Snyder, General Counsel
SEMA, DFBS, and PSTI are agencies with an $11 million budget and 260 employees, united under a common Executive Director. Their charge includes all areas of public safety other than law enforcement. An extern with the Office of General Counsel and the Office of the Administrative Law judge would assist in advising the agency and members of the Fire Protection and Building Safety Commission (FPBSC), Emergency Medical Services Commission (EMSC), Indiana Emergency Response Commission (IERC), and the PSTI Board of Directors on duties and options under state and federal law. Other possible areas of work for an extern with these agencies include drafting memoranda of understanding, contracts, and action letters for the Executive Director and staff, assisting in commenting to legislation and drafting rules, assisting agency counsel in administrative hearings before the EMSC and the FPBSC, and researching and writing in areas such as employment law, contracts, and ethics. An extern with the Fire Marshal's Counsel would assist in providing legal advice to the State Fire Marshal and the Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education, assisting in administrative hearings, and researching in the legal areas outlined above.
Department of Insurance - Consumer Protection Unit (Enforcement Unit)
Supervising Attorney: Doug Webber, Chief Legal Counsel
The Indiana Department of Insurance protects Indiana's insurance consumers by monitoring and regulating the financial and market conduct activities of insurance companies and agents and oversees the administration of the dedicated funds entrusted to the Department by the Indiana General Assembly.
The Consumer Protection Unit within the Department of Insurance deals with the resolution of direct consumer complaints, unfair trade allegations among companies, Title 27 compliance matters and adjudication. Regulated entities include life and health; property and casualty insurance. Complaints and compliance matters are resolved via investigation, communications, meetings, or, if necessary, administrative litigation. A law student extern with this unit would help agency counsel address legal matters confroning CPU. Topics and issues that arise in CPU include: sale of unauthorized health products by unauthorized entities (possible Ponzi schemes), agent misrepresentation, and misappropriation; sale of unsuitable annuity products to more vulnerable seniors; review or participation in market conduct examinations, market analysis, and viatical settlements; assist in the administrative actions against insurers and insurance producers; review consumer complaints.
Department of Insurance - Legal Division
Supervising Attorney: Meghan Brumbaugh, Chief Counsel
The Indiana Department of Insurance protects Indiana's insurance consumers by monitoring and regulating the financial and market conduct activities of insurance companies and agents and oversees the administration of the dedicated funds entrusted to the Department by the Indiana General Assembly.
The division's primary responsibility is handling claims for excess damages filed against the Indiana Patient's Compensation Fund (catastrophic fund for medical malpractice claims) See Ind. Code 34-18. Am extern to this division will have the opportunity to assist with review of cases and attend mediations, depositions and hearings. The legal division also provides legal support to the other divisions within the legislation affecting insurance
Department of Labor
Supervising Attorney: variable
The Department of Labor works to advance the safety, health, and prosperity of Indiana citizens in the workplace. The Department administers safety and health regulations, state wage and hour laws, child labor laws, and underground coal safety. A student placed at the Department of Labor would work with lawyers within the Department of Labor in a variety of enforcement and administrative legal matters.
Department of Local Government Finance
Supervising Attorney: Catherine Wolter, Staff Attorney
The Department of Local Government Finance was created by Indiana's General Assembly to help the taxpayers and the state adjust to the new property tax and assessment scheme in the wake of the Town of St. John decisions of the Indiana Supreme Court. The DLGF provides assistance to local taxing authorities, oversees more than 2,000 taxing authorities in the state and assists local governments through the annual budget certification process. An extern at this placement would work with the Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel to provide legal support and analysis for myriad tax policy issues facing the state.
Department of Natural Resources
Supervising Attorney: variable
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources manages and regulates Indiana's natural, cultural, and recreational resources. DNR's Divisions include: Fish and Wildlife, Historic Preservation and Archeology, Law Enforcement, Oil and Gas, Outdoor Recreation, Nature Preserves, Water, Reclamation, Soils Conservation, and State Museums and Historic Sites. All of the DNR Divisions rely on the agency's staff of about eight lawyers for legal advice, rulemaking, defending DNR at administrative hearings, and other legal projects and initiatives. An extern with DNR would work with natural resources law and environmental law.
Department of Revenue
Supervising Attorney: Doug Klitzke, Legal Chief
The Department of Revenue administers the tax laws of the state of Indiana. An extern to this office would work in an office of approximately 20 attorneys on myriad tax issues, including the appeals process from an original protest to the Indiana Tax Court and inheritance tax transfers. Law students with CPA and tax experience preferred.
Department of Transportation
Supervising Attorney: Mark Ahearn, Chief Legal Counsel
The Department of Transportation has jurisdiction over state roads, interstates, and U.S. Routes within Indiana. The Legal Division of INDOT is charged with the responsibility of serving as legal counsel for the department. Specifically, the Legal Division's responsibilities include: providing legal advice and assistance to the divisions and districts within the agency, investigating the legality of agency actions and validity of public complaints, drafting proposed legislation and administrative rules, researching and interpreting the law, preparing legal opinions, attending and testifying at legislative committee hearings and performing related duties. An legal extern with INDOT would be able to avail himself or herself of the opportunity to work within an agency with over 5,000 employees and a one billion dollar annual budget and with a group of approximately five attorneys who are responsible for providing legal counsel to INDOT.
Department of Workforce Development
Supervising Attorney: Karen Weber, Assistant General Counsel
Indiana's Department of Workforce Development administers Indiana's unemployment insurance program, channels federal funds for job training, education and technical training, and gathers labor market information for the state of Indiana. Students may apply for a traditional legal externship or for an opportunity to be a student administrative law judge at the DWD. After an intensive three day training and opportunities to observe unemployment insurance administrative hearings before sitting ALJs, students accepted as student ALJs will begin their work hearing, deciding, and writing opinions of unemployment insurance cases. Students serving as student ALJs for the Spring and Fall semesters should plan to conduct between 3-6 cases a week. Student ALJs will work under the supervision and guidance of the Department’s General Counsel, Deputy Commissioner for Employment Growth, and Chief Administrative Law Judge. Students may also apply for a traditional legal externship with DWD. An extern for DWD will be able to work on legal aspects of DWD's statutory mandates, assist with administrative hearings, and work on special legal initiatives of the Office of Workforce Development. The extern's supervisor would be DWD's Chief Legal Counsel and the extern would also work with one or more of DWD's five full-time lawyers.
Ethics Commission
Supervising Attorney: variable
The Indiana Ethics Commission seeks to promote ethical conduct of officers and employees in the executive and administrative branch of state government. In doing so, the Commission administers the Code of Ethics for the Conduct of State Business, receives and investigates complaints of ethical violations, recommends legislation and rules, and issues official advisory opinions. An Ethics Commission extern would have the opportunity to assist the Commission staff with legal aspects of the Commission's activities as well as other special Commission projects.
Family and Social Services Administration
Supervising Attorney: John M. Davis, General Counsel
The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) provides services to families who have issues associated with low income, mental illness, addiction, mental retardation, disability, aging, and children who are at risk for healthy development. The Office of General Counsel, comprised of approximately fourteen (14) attorneys, advises the Family and Social Services Administration on a variety of legal issues. An FSSA extern would be afforded the opportunity to assist researching those issues, work on administrative appeals and to assist with the host of day-to-day activities with the Office of General Counsel.
Gaming Commission
Supervising Attorney: Adam Packer, General Counsel
The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) is responsible for investigating, licensing, and regulating Indiana’s riverboat casinos and charity gaming operations. The IGC continually monitors regulatory compliance of over 15,000 licensees in order to ensure the integrity of gaming activities in Indiana. With the addition of the newly formed law enforcement division of gaming agents, the Commission also maintains a constant presence at Indiana’s eleven casinos and polices the casinos for criminal activity as well as regulatory violations. An extern for the IGC would work with attorneys in the Legal Division, which performs both substantive functions in the pursuit of the Commission’s regulatory mandate and support functions in the role of corporate counsel for the agency. Under the supervision of an attorney, an extern in this placement may assist with administrative hearings, draft rules and assist with promulgation, and conduct research on current regulatory issues facing the casino industry and gambling in Indiana. The extern will also be expected to assist in the support functions of the division including contract drafting, legal research and writing relating to current litigation or internal policies, as well as preparing resolutions and orders for Commission consideration.
Hoosier Lottery
Supervising Attorney: Andrew Klinger, General Counsel
An extern placed at the Hoosier Lottery would work with legal counsel in the management of legal affairs of the Lottery including, but no limited to: litigation, contracts, and administrative proceedings.
Office of Environmental Adjudication
Supervising Attorney: Mary Davidsen, Chief Environmental Law Judge
The Office of Environmental Adjudication is the final administrative forum for appeals from enforcement and permitting decisions of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Externs would work as law clerks to the two administrative law judges and, in that capacity, would provide legal research, write draft findings of fact and conclusions of law, and work on special legal initiatives of the OEA.
Office of Management & Budget/Indiana Finance Authority
Supervising Attorney: Kendra York, General Counsel
The Office of Management and Budget is the fiscal policy analyst and budget administrator for the Office of the Governor. The Indiana Finance Authority oversees state-related debt issuance and management, is the state's primary intermediary for financial and capital markets, and helps facilitate business investment in Indiana. An PLSG student in this office will provide legal analysis and research concerning tax and fiscal policy issues, will work with the various bond and debt instruments and agreements, and help provide general legal opinions to the general counsels of the two agencies on a wide array of issues. The type of work that an student can expect to perform will involve many diverse concepts and areas of law and policy, but will generally relate to tax and fiscal policy, and debt management.
Office of the Inspector General
Supervising Attorney: David O. Thomas, Esq., Inspector General of the State of Indiana
Established by Governor Daniels on January 10, 2005, the Office of the Inspector General investigates fraud, waste, and criminal activity in state government. An extern to this office would work under the supervision of the Inspector General. externship work would include assisting in legal research and investigations concerning criminal offenses, ethics code violations, and efficiency standards.
Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
Supervising Attorney: Abby Gray, Executive Director of Legal Operations
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor represents Indiana citizens at both the state and federal levels regarding utility ratemaking and consumer protection for the provision of electric, water, sewage, telecommunication, and natural gas utility services. An extern with this Agency will work closely with experienced lawyers in performing legal research on all aspects of regulation of utilities, participate in the preparation of appellate briefs, perform research and participate in issues concerning a more competitive and less regulated utility environment as well as general research regarding the regulation of all types of utilities and consumer protections for utility customers. These tasks would relate to the OUCC's representation of Indiana utility customers before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and also before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Public Access Counselor's Office
Supervising Attorney: Andrew Kossack, Public Access Counselor
The Public Access Counselor's (PAC) Office provides advice, assistance and education to all persons (the public, media and government) on the state's access laws--most notably, the Indiana Open Door Law and the Access to Public Records Act. This is a unique opportunity for an extern in that the extern will be working directly for the Public Access Counselor. An extern will be assigned tasks such as performing research, drafting opinions and assisting in the development of educational materials.
State Department of Health
Supervising Attorney: Eldon Whetstone, Staff Attorney
The Indiana State Department of Health's externship provides students with the opportunity to work with staff attorneys on issues involving the regulation and licensing of long term care facilities, i.e., nursing homes. Legal externs will learn administrative procedure under the Administrative Orders and Procedures Act, as well as the internal procedures at the Indiana State Department of Health. Externs will have the opportunity to prepare citations and licensure actions, emergency orders and related legal documents, research and draft responses to requests for internal legal advice from departmental staff on health law issues and research legal issues for the staff attorneys for specific cases. externs may also assist in the preparation of witnesses and exhibits for hearings. Externs are invited to observe administrative hearings and proceedings attended by staff attorneys.
The Indiana State Department of Health externship gives participating students an opportunity to become directly involved in health policy development for Indiana by analyzing laws, regulations, and ordinances that promote public health and safety. Externs will have the opportunity to edit and review grant applications, develop and propose curriculum to educate attorneys and local boards of health on legal public health competencies, coordinate health law seminars, conduct legal research on health issues, and review/update manuals and laws used by Local Health Departments. Students will also have the chance to assess and report on the performance of the Department on the essential public health services by reviewing reports, studies, and surveys that have been conducted. Additionally, externs will be given the opportunity to meet with several Directors, Attorneys, and Commissioners to learn about the internal procedure within the department, as well as attend hearings on licensure actions, citiation cases, children's cases, and HIPAA.
State Personnel Department
Supervising Attorney: Sally Burnell, Admin. Program Director
The State Personnel Department provides integrated human resource services to the State of Indiana and its over 35,000 employees. A legal extern within the Department would assist Department lawyers and other staff in responding to employee grievances, employee benefits issues, and other myriad areas within the scope of employment law. Other externship opportunities may include assisting in the legal representation of the State of Indiana in mediations, arbitrations, administrative hearings before the State Employees' Appeals Commission, litigation, and other legal matters involving the Department.
State Police
Supervising Attorney: Captain Todd Smith, Legal Advisor
The Indiana State Police work with state police districts throughout Indiana to identify and target the most significant criminal activities and address them. A student working with the legal department of the Indiana State Police reviews cases filed against the Indiana State Police, conducts research to support ongoing litigation and legislative matters, and observe hearings regarding criminal and civil suits.
Utility Regulatory Commission
Supervising Attorney: Scott Storms, Administrative Law Judge
An extern to the General Counsel Division of the IURC will work to respond to legal questions from the public, the IURC Commissioners, other state and federal agencies, and utility law practitioners. Legal issues will generally center on employment law, utility law, and administrative law. During a legislative session of the Indiana General Assembly, an extern would be able to analyze, monitor, and draft legislation as directed by the IURC Chairman. Other opportunities may include drafting administrative rules and participating in the administrative rulemaking process, drafting contracts, and monitoring IURC orders for consistency and accuracy.
Criminal Justice Institute
Supervising Attorney: Silvia Miller, General Counsel and Legislative Affairs Liaison
An extern to this office would work directly with the General Counsel for the Criminal Justice Institute. The Institute, a state agency funded primarily with federal dollars, provides services to vicitms and community outreach on issues such as Drugs and Crime, Traffic Safety, Youth Programs, and other important policy issues.
House of Representatives Democratic Caucus
Supervising Attorney: Pete Nemeth, Attorney to Caucus Attorney
This placement requires a full time commitment on behalf of the student, only a portion of which will apply toward law school credit through the Program on Law and State Government. Legal externs will work under the supervision of Caucus attorneys during the sessions of the Indiana General Assembly to research and draft responses to legal issues that arise during the legislative session, draft House Resolutions, and draft amendments to proposed legislation. Stipends are available through the General Assembly for the work not related to the Externship Course.
House of Representatives Republican Caucus
Supervising Attorney: Julie Halbig, Chief Counsel
This placement requires a full time commitment on behalf of the student, only a portion of which will apply toward law school credit through the Program on Law and State Government. Legal externs will work under the supervision of Caucus attorneys during the sessions of the Indiana General Assembly to research and draft responses to legal issues that arise during the legislative session, draft House Resolutions, and draft amendments to proposed legislation. Stipends are available through the General Assembly for the work not related to the Externship Course.
Indiana Economic Development Corporation
Supervising Attorney: Shawn Peterson, Vice President and Counsel
An extern assigned to this placement will have an excellent opportunity to observe and participate in the legislative process as it affects commercial and agricultural regulation by Indiana's state government. In addition, the extern will also assist the General Counsel with researching myriad legal issues, preparing legal arguments for administrative hearings, and addressing the legal issues arising out of public meetings.
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
Supervising Attorney: Marty Allain, Chief Legal Counsel
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) addresses a wide range of legal issues including administrative law matters, rule promulgation, and contracts for thirty eight (38) boards and commissions housed with IPLA including, among others, the Medical Licensing Board and the Indiana Real Estate Commission. An extern to this placement would work directly with the Chief legal Counsel for the IPLA and one staff attorney. The extern would also support the Deputy Director and Chief Legal Counsel in their capacities as legislative liaisons for the Governor’s Office and the General Assembly. The position is structured for individuals seeking to practice in public administration, government regulation, or in any legislative capacity.
Indiana Trial Lawyers Association
Supervising Attorney: Terri Todd, General Counsel
Legal externs for the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association will assist Association's General Counsel in addressing legal issues that arise during sessions of the Indiana General Assembly.
Legislative Services Agency
Supervising Attorney: John Stieff, Chief Counsel, Office of Code Revision
The Legislative Services Agency assists Indiana General Assembly members in drafting and revising pending and existing legislation. PLSG externs at LSA work with the office's attorneys on code revision and legislative drafting. The Spring semester seems to provide a more diverse set of experiences for the PLSG externs due to the fact that the General Assembly is in session at that time. Because General Assembly committee days are on Wednesdays, interested students should strongly consider scheduling Wednesdays as their placement days for a PLSG placement at LSA.
Senate Democratic Caucus
Supervising Attorney: Bernice Corley, Chief Legal Counsel
This placement requires a full time commitment on behalf of the student, only a portion of which will apply toward law school credit through the Program on Law and State Government. Legal externs will work under the supervision of Caucus attorneys during the sessions of the Indiana General Assembly to research and draft responses to legal issues that arise during the legislative session, draft Senate Resolutions, and draft amendments to proposed legislation. Stipends are available through the General Assembly for the work not related to the Externship Course.
Senate Republican Caucus
Supervising Attorney: Jeff Papa, Chief Counsel
This placement requires a full time commitment on behalf of the student, only a portion of which will apply toward law school credit through the Program on Law and State Government. Legal externs will work under the supervision of Caucus attorneys during the sessions of the Indiana General Assembly to research and draft responses to legal issues that arise during the legislative session, draft Senate Resolutions, and draft amendments to proposed legislation. Stipends are available through the General Assembly for the work not related to the Externship Course.
Teachers' Retirement Fund
Supervising Attorney: Thomas N. Davidson, General Counsel
An extern to this placement would have the opportunity to engage in necessary research and writing concerning revisions and updates to the Fund's administrative code regulations, found at IAC 550. The fund currently has over $8 billion in assets and the ongoing rule revisions would involve the extern in the rule promulgation process, as well as legal research into best practices, critical thinking, rule drafting, and coordination between state pension law, state investment law (e.g.,the "Prudent Investor" standard), IRS regulations, and the Indiana Administrative Code.
