PLSG Externship Placements
Advocacy
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The Legislative Advocacy academic externship placement allows law students to work in conjunction with lawyer/lobbyists in an effort to change Indiana law for the benefit of our state. A law student in the Legislative Advocacy placement would analyze legislation, observe the Indiana General Assembly in session, suggest improvements to Indiana law, and work with one or more of a variety of not for profit organizations to advance their respective legislative agendas. Participating organizations include the Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues, Improving Kids' Environment, Department for Workforce Development, Inc., The Energy Policy Initiative, Indiana University, Purdue University, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, the United States Humane Society-Indiana, The Children's Policy & Law Initiative of Indiana, and the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. Due to Indiana's General Assembly Session schedule, this legislative placement is available for the spring semester only.
Elected Offices
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/about-the-office/advisory/
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. During official sessions of Indiana's General Assembly (spring only) externs might have the opportunity to staff legislative committee meetings, prepare legislative liaison for meetings and negotiations, and read and comment on proposed legislation. Please be advised, however, that the Advisory Division does not make or recommend policy.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/2351.htm
The Appeals Division addresses criminal and civil appeals. 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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/2336.htm
The Consumer Services and Protection Division is responsible for investigating and prosecuting complaints against licensed health care practitioners and other licensed professionals. The Division also handles issues arising from patient abuse, human trafficking, and violations of Indiana's Deceptive Consumer Sales Act, including extensive consumer education and outreach programs. An extern to this office would assist Deputy Attorneys General with prosecuting consumer complaints against individuals and companies as well as providing legal analysis of proposed legislation.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/2348.htm
Lawyers in this section handle litigation on behalf of a wide variety of state administrative agencies. Primary substantive areas of litigation include environmental law, employment rights, civil rights. and tax issues. Legal externs to this office will assist Deputy Attorneys General with discovery, legal strategy and drafting, and case screening and analysis.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/about-the-office/medicaid-fraud-and-patient-abuse/
Description forthcoming.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/2348.htm
Description forthcoming.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/2344.htm
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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/2345.htm
The lawyers on the Revenue Section represent the Indiana Department of Revenue in the enforcement of Indiana's tax laws and effort to collect state taxes due. Externs to this office will have the opportunity to assist Deputy Attorneys General with discovery, financial analysis of tax disputes, case management strategy, tax appeals, as well as local government budget review and bankruptcy matters. Externs to the Revenue Section will also have the opportunity to assist in the criminal prosecution of taxpayers who have evaded or stolen Indiana taxes.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
An extern to this Office would provide legal research and support to the General Counsel for the Lieutenant Governor 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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
A legal extern to this office would assist the General Counsel in myriad duties, including providing legal research regarding managing state investments of between $5-7 billion per month, advising the Indiana Bond Bank, addressing pending litigation, implementing the statewide 911 protocol, fielding a wide variety of fiscal and legal compliance work, and attending to Indiana's 529 (college savings) program. During the sessions of Indiana's General Assembly (in the spring semesters), a legal extern to the Office of the Treasurer would also assist in monitoring and legal research regarding pending legislation that could influence the Office of the Treasurer.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
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).
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.in.gov/sos/dealer/
The Indiana Secretary of State, Auto Dealer Services Division (“Division”) is responsible for the regulation of entities involved in the automotive industry including dealers, manufacturers, distributors, and manufactured home communities. Externs with the Division will work with the Senior Counsel to enforce Indiana Code Title 9, Article 32, including the review of reports from non-legal staff, suggesting violations of Indiana law, and, if the opportunity arises, helping to prepare for hearings held by the Office of Administrative Law Proceedings.
Executive Branch Agencies and Offices
Supervising Attorney(s): 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 four lawyers on legal issues concerning the Bureau and new and proposed legislation impacting the Bureau's work.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
Externs for the Indiana Civil Rights Commission will have the opportunity to work with and learn from the Commission’s Legal Team and other staff while engaging in meaningful legal work to advance matters before the Commission in its civil rights enforcement areas of employment, housing, public accommodation, education, and credit. Externs will be exposed to the various stages of civil rights complaints received by the Commission and get hands on experience with and exposure to mediation and litigation practices in both the administrative and judicial forums.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) supports growth in Indiana agriculture by serving as an advocate at the local, state and federal level by defining and nurturing economic opportunity in the food, fuel and fiber sectors and enhancing the stewardship of natural resources on agricultural land. By devoting time working to better the ISDA's initiatives, a legal extern will aid in the effort on a legislative and/or advocacy level by attending committee hearings and researching policy initiatives for the Policy and Regulatory Affairs team. The extern will provide assistance on regulatory matters which may include drafting legal memos, attending meetings with representatives from regulatory state agencies, and researching statutory and administrative code. In addition, the extern will get some experience on land use and zoning issues especially as they relate to agriculture.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
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. Because DCS has local offices in every county in the state, law students may be able to secure an externship in the county of their residence, if they prefer. A student placed with the Department of Child Services will work under the supervision of his or her Supervising Attorneys in client staffing, development of case theory, preparation of cases for litigation in child in need of services (CHINS) and termination of parental rights (TPR) cases, and court observation. Collateral issues may include child support, adoption subsidy negotiation, mediation, and administrative hearings.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
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, rule making, and employment issues.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
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. A legal extern 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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) houses multiple divisions that are responsible for the safety and protection of Indiana residents during everyday occurrences (building and fire codes) and disaster situations (flooding mitigation and response). The legal division serves as counsel to the multiple divisions within the agency and the numerous boards and commissions charged with fulfilling duties set forth by statute. An extern to this division would assist staff attorneys with legal research, public record requests, administrative appeals (from initial filings to final disposition), boards and commission administrative or statutory rule proposals to the Legislative Services Agency, disaster declarations, and memorandums of understandings.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.in.gov/idoi/2591.htm
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.
Supervising Attorney(s): 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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://secure.in.gov/dlgf/2337.htm
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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources manages and regulates Indiana's natural, cultural, and recreational resources. Some of DNR's Divisions include: Fish and Wildlife, Historic Preservation and Archeology, Law Enforcement, Oil and Gas, Outdoor Recreation, Nature Preserves, Water, Reclamation, Forestry, and State, Parks and Reservoirs. All of the DNR Divisions rely on the agency's staff of four lawyers for legal advice, rule drafting, defending DNR at administrative hearings, and other legal projects and initiatives. An extern with DNR would work with natural resources law and environmental law primarily on the state level but will be called upon to research applicable federal law. Specifically, some of the extern's responsibilities include providing legal analysis and assistance to the staff attorneys, drafting pleadings, researching and interpreting the law, preparing draft legal opinions, assisting in the preparation for the attending administrative proceedings.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.in.gov/indot/
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has jurisdiction over all state roads/highways, interstates, and U.S. routes within the state of Indiana. INDOT's Legal Division is charged with serving as legal counsel for the agency. More specifically, division responsibilities include: provide legal advice and assistance to the divisions and districts within the agency; investigate the legality of agency actions and validity of public complaints; draft proposed legislation and administrative rules; research and interpret the law; prepare legal opinions; attend and testify at legislative committee hearings; as well as perform related legal duties. A Legal Extern with INDOT would have the opportunity to work with an agency of over 3,600 employees and a multiple billion dollar annual budget to assist the Legal Division in providing legal counsel.
Supervising Attorney(s):
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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services within the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services provides Family Support and Home and Community based waiver services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The director of policy drafts administrative code, policy and guidance related to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and works alongside the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning to ensure all Indiana law meets appropriate federal standards. A BDDS policy extern would be afforded the opportunity to assist in drafting administrative code, policy and ensuring federal compliance with all state rules and policy. If you are interested in administrative law or policy, this is an excellent opportunity to assist in research, drafting and to understand the procedure involved in developing administrative code.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) is a Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) that consists of four BRS programs: Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Blind and Visually Impaired Services, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, and Independent Living Services. The purpose and mission of BRS is to assist individual individuals with disabilities achieve independence by providing services and supports to help them achieve competitive, integrated employment. A BRS extern would assist by researching federal regulations governing BRS programs, reviewing and researching laws and policies from other states, and review current policies in order recommend changes or improvements.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) is responsible for investigating, licensing, and regulating Indiana's casinos and charity gaming operations. The IGC monitors compliance of over 10,000 licensees in order to ensure the integrity of gaming in Indiana. Through the Division of Gaming Agents, the IGC maintains a presence at Indiana's thirteen casinos and polices the casinos for criminal activity as well as regulatory violations. The IGC also regulates boxing and mixed martial arts through its Athletic Division. An extern for the IGC would work with the Legal Division, which performs both substantive functions in the pursuit of the Commission's regulatory mandates and support functions in the role of corporate counsel for the agency. Under the supervision of an attorney, an extern may assist with disciplinary actions, draft rules and assist with promulgation, and conduct research on current regulatory issues facing the casinos, charity gaming organizations, and boxing/mixed martial arts in Indiana. The extern will also be expected to assist in the support functions of the division including contract drafting, employee ethics, and research relating to current litigation or internal policies.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.hoosierlottery.com/
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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The Indiana Horse Racing Commission is responsible for ensuring that pari-mutuel wagering on horse races in Indiana is conducted with the highest of standards and the greatest level of integrity. An extern will work with the commission's in-house legal counsel on everything from the administrative rule-making and complaint process to more generalized in-house counsel work. The specific responsibilities of the legal staff include assisting with licensing more than 9,000 people involved in horse racing at Hoosier Park, Indiana Downs and off-track betting sites in Indiana; monitoring compliance of licensees; determining when disciplinary actions are appropriate; and processing public records requests. The legal staff also is involved with rule making, contract drafting and responding to general questions regarding commission practices. The extern can expect to perform legal research on a variety of issues relating to administrative law and/or horse racing. The extern also is encouraged to attend commission meetings.
The person who is selected for this externship must be eligible for licensure by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) is responsible for investigating, licensing, and regulating the manufacture, sale, possession, and use of alcohol and alcoholic beverages in Indiana. The ATC licenses and regulates all three tiers of the alcohol beverage industry in Indiana. A legal extern will work on several projects within various departments of the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission. The externship will provide an opportunity for law students to receive hands-on legal experience in the legal department of the commission and will include opportunities to assist legal staff with legal research on topics relating to the regulation of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, type II gaming and e-liquid; assist with review of proposed legislation and implementation of new laws and regulations; assist ATC prosecutor with review and prosecution of alleged violations of alcohol and tobacco statutes and regulations; records retention, records management, and review of public records requests; attend and assist with administrative hearings; and other duties as assigned.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The Indiana Management Performance Hub (MPH) provides analytics solutions tailored to address complex management and policy questions enabling improved outcomes for Hoosiers. MPH empowers its partners to leverage data in innovative ways, facilitating data-driven decision making and data-informed policy making. Privacy is a core component of the data collaboration initiatives led by MPH and, as a result, the State's chief privacy officer (CPO) resides within MPH. Externs will report to the CPO and will be engaged in a variety of legal and policy projects related to information privacy, information security, and strategic planning. Further, with the CPO serving as MPH general counsel, externs will assist with foundational legal work that is key to the agency's success including contracts, policy development, and compliance.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
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 assist General Counsel and Staff Attorney on legal, policy, and procedural matters. Additionally, the extern will be responsible for the development of a case law database used to track the decisions of each of the Agency's boards. The extern may also support the Deputy Director, Chief Legal Counsel, and Communications Director 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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The Office of Administrative Law Proceedings serves as a central office through which administrative appeals from twenty-five state agencies may be heard. An extern to this office would assist the Director and Deputy Director with rule promulgation, statutory and regulatory research, and the development of legal charts and guides explaining the administrative review process. Additionally, the extern would research legal issues for administrative law judges (ALJs) and observe pre-hearing conferences and evidentiary hearings held by our ALJs. This externship would be an opportunity to learn about the regulations and administrative processes of a variety of state agencies.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The Office of Environmental Adjudication is the ultimate authority for review of agency actions of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, actions of the Department’s Environmental Board, and challenges to the Department’s rulemaking actions. An extern, working as a judicial law clerk, would provide support to the two Environmental Law Judges who preside over the administrative proceedings and conduct evidentiary hearings pursuant to Indiana Codes § 4-21.5, § 13-15-16 and 315 IAC. 1 et seq. As a judicial law clerk, the extern would undertake legal research, write draft orders including findings of fact and conclusions of law, work on special legal initiatives of the OEA, and observe court proceedings.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
Legal externs at the Indiana Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Indiana State Budget Agency will be able to observe the State’s budgeting process and financial management as well as opportunities to participate in complex legal research and writing projects, practical problem solving, and networking with state employees and agencies. In the past, legal externs have researched comparative state constitutional and administrative law issues, reviewed proposed regulations, researched potential statutory cleanup issues for inclusion in the State’s biennial budget bill, participated in contract negations with State vendors, and other substantive projects.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
Established by Governor Daniels on January 10, 2005, the Office of the Inspector General investigates fraud, waste, and criminal activity in state government.
The Indiana Ethics Commission seeks to promote ethical conduct of state officers, employees, and special state appointees in the executive and administrative branch of state government. In doing so, the Commission administers the Indiana Code of Ethics, receives and investigates complaints of ethical violations, recommends legislation and rules, and issues advisory opinions.
Within the Office of Inspector General (OIG), the extern will support the Chief Legal Counsel and the State Ethics Director. The role of this position is to provide support in activities related to the legal, advisory and investigative functions of the office. The goal of the externship is for the extern to learn and understand one aspect of the practice of law within state government. The primary duties include conducting legal research, assisting in developing an ethics training program for state employees, identifying best practices for complaint reporting by whistleblowers, participating in investigations by special agents, among other duties.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
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.
Supervising Attorney(s):
Description forthcoming
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
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, citation cases, children's cases, and HIPAA.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The State Personnel Department provides human resources services for executive branch agencies. An extern working in the employee relations division might assist staff attorneys in all aspects of advocacy in administrative adjudications before entities such as SEAC (state civil service employee appeals) and DWD (unemployment benefits appeals); draft position statements for charges at EEOC and ICRC (discrimination allegations); and research and draft policies, memoranda, or other documents related to state employment. Specialists in the division also investigate allegations of misconduct, process FMLA leave requests, assist in interactive discussions under the ADA, and provide advice on laws, rules, and policies to other HR staff, employees, and managers in state agencies.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
A legal extern to the Chief Administrative Law Judge will have the opportunity to attend and observe formal administrative hearings, and assist with drafting orders. Legal issues will generally center on employment law, utility law, and administrative law. During a legislative session of the Indiana General Assembly, an extern may 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.
Other State Government Placements
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The Institute, a state agency funded primarily with federal dollars, provides services to victims and community outreach on issues such as Drugs and Crime, Traffic Safety, Youth Programs, and other important policy issues. An extern to the Institute would work directly with the General Counsel for the agency. Duties would include providing assistance with rulemaking, contract and grant agreement drafting, research, and other duties as assigned.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://indianahousedemocrats.org/
Legal externs will work under the supervision of Democratic Caucus attorneys during the Indiana General Assembly legislative session (which begins the first week in January and concludes, depending on whether it is a budget session (odd numbered years) or not (even numbered years in March or April). Working with attorneys, policy experts, and legislators, legal externs will be involved with a variety of legal and policy projects including bill-tracking, legal and policy research, attending bill hearings, and drafting legislative and legal summaries of amendments, bills, and resolutions. Due to Indiana's General Assembly Session schedule, this legislative placement is available for the spring semester only.
Note: A legal extern accepted for this opportunity will be required to participate in an onboarding and training program (usually 3-4 full days) typically held the final week of December or the first week of January. This training will cover the General Assembly and House Democratic Caucus operations, legislative process and research, and other aspects necessary for a successful and meaningful externship; these training hours will count toward the legal externship.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.indianahouserepublicans.com/
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.
Due to Indiana's General Assembly Session schedule, this legislative placement is available for the spring semester only.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://secure.in.gov/ibtr/
An extern at the Indiana Board of Tax Review will, working with the board lawyers and its administrative law judges, research issues regarding taxation of personal and real property; observe tax appeal hearings; review parties calculations of property assessments, tax exemptions, deductions, and credits; observe the roles of case management plans and settlement in dispute resolution; and assist in the preparation of findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: www.in.gov/dva
An externship with the Legal and Legislative Division of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) offers a wide array of professional experiences. Those opportunities include, but are not limited to:
- Litigation/Administrative Law – The Legal and Legislative Division represents IDVA regarding all appeals concerning benefits administered by IDVA. The vast majority of the appeals are heard before an administrative law judge. A law clerk would be able to prepare evidence and witnesses for these matters, observe the appeal hearings, and potentially represent IDVA in these matters.
- Administrative Rule Promulgation – IDVA promulgates administrative rules concerning its various duties, functions, and programs. IDVA has currently embarked on a project to update and amend all of its existing rules. A law clerk would have the opportunity to play a critical role in this project.
- Legislation – The Legal and Legislative Division serves as the legislative arm of IDVA. As such, the Legal and Legislative Division researches and drafts the IDVA annual legislative proposals, collaborates with the Governor’s legislative staff, monitors all bills that could impact Indiana’s veterans, and administers all aspects of the IDVA legislative package. A law clerk would have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of the legislative process.
- Transactional Opportunities – A significant amount of the work performed by the Legal and Legislative Division involves grant management and compliance monitoring. IDVA is the recipient of federal grants and the grantor of numerous state grants. A law clerk would the opportunity to be involved in all phases of the grant cycle including, but not limited to, creating grant solicitations, applying for federal grants, grantee selection, grant administration, supporting document review, financial and programmatic reporting, and compliance monitoring (desk reviews and in-person).
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
Lawyers for Indiana Disability Rights handle cases involving disability rights for individuals across the state. Primary substantive areas include: abuse and neglect allegations, special education, the ADA and Fair Housing Act, vocational rehabilitation services, assistive technology, social security benefits, and voting rights issues. An extern to this placement would work directly with the Legal Director for IDR to support systemic disability rights projects.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
An extern assigned to this placement will have an excellent opportunity to observe and participate in state economic development processes for attracting and supporting new business investment and creating new jobs for Hoosiers. In addition, the extern will also assist the General Counsel and Associate General Counsel with researching a myriad legal issues, drafting various legal documents, responding to public records requests, and addressing legal compliance issues.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.in.gov/ieerb/
A law student who obtains this externship would primarily assist the General Counsel for the IEERB by researching teacher labor law, evaluating the compliance of collective bargaining agreements between Indiana public school teachers and their respective school districts, and helping compile and analyze teacher compensation data. Other opportunities may include shadowing mediations, fact-findings, and unfair labor practice hearings.
Supervising Attorney(s):
Description forthcoming
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The eleven member Indiana State Board of Animal Health (IBOAH) exists to protect public health by controlling spread of animal diseases, protecting wild domestic animals, running animal facility inspection programs, and navigating Indiana's response to proposed federal regulation of livestock, poultry, and dairy production. Legal externs to IBOAH will assist board lawyers in policy drafting, legal analysis of proposed legislation, and alignment of federal and state regulatory programs.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.in.gov/library/
This placement will assist the Indiana State Library's General Counsel with a variety of duties which may include any or all of the following: legal research for legal questions arising from hundreds of public libraries across the state of Indiana; research, create, and deliver live legal webinars to Indiana public library directors, staff and trustees; review and improve Indiana state contracts and assist with the signature process; and review, interpret, and provide reports on legislation considered and/or passed by the Indiana General Assembly.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
The Legal Office of the Indiana State Police has the primary responsibility of providing legal counsel and assistance to the Superintendent of the Indiana State Policy. The office carries out legal work typical of that performed by corporate counsel, but in a highly specialized setting - Indiana's preeminent State Law Enforcement Agency. This externship will potentially provide the student with experience and insight related to a variety of topics to include: criminal and traffic law, criminal procedure, policy drafting, contracts and quasi-contracts, discovery, public records, administrative law and legislative work.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
forthcoming.
Supervising Attorney(s): Greg Anderson, Deputy Director of Administration
(forthcoming)
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.indianatriallawyers.org/
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.
Due to Indiana's General Assembly Session schedule, this legislative placement is available for the spring semester only.
Supervising Attorney(s):
Description forthcoming
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://iga.in.gov/
The Legislative Services Agency assists Indiana General Assembly members in drafting and revising pending and existing legislation. An LSA extern for the Office of Bill Drafting and Research will work with LSA staff attorneys who are responsible for a broad range of duties, including drafting of proposed legislation, staffing of standing committees, and conducting legal research. LSA employees and externs are prohibited from participating in partisan political campaigns and may not serve as political party officials.
The 2020 session of the Indiana General Assembly is a short session, starting in early January and concluding in mid-March. For the optimal experience at the LSA, an extern should complete most of their externship hours while the General Assembly is in session and work on some weekdays besides Fridays. An externship may start as early as December 30, 2019.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: http://iga.in.gov/
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.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.indianasenatedemocrats.org/
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.
Due to Indiana's General Assembly Session schedule, this legislative placement is available for the spring semester only.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/
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.
Due to Indiana's General Assembly Session schedule, this legislative placement is available for the spring semester only.
Supervising Attorney(s): variable
URL: https://www.in.gov/inprs/
An extern to this placement would have the opportunity to have exposure to legislative matters and engage in necessary research and writing concerning revisions and updates to the System's statutory and administrative code. The System currently have over $30 billion in assets and the ongoing legislative initiatives and rule revisions would involve the extern attending legislative committee hearings, 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.
