LAW 8046 :
Externship: Phila Defender

Prerequisites: Evidence (LAW 7024) and Trial Advocacy (LAW 7050) or Trial Advocacy - Basic Intensive (LAW 7128); Trial Advocacy (LAW 7050) or Trial Advocacy - Basic Intensive (LAW 7128) may be taken concurrently with the Externship. Special Requirements: Student Certification - Student Certification Forms can be found on the VLS Externship website in the "Forms & Documents" section under "Program Information" called: "Student Certification Form." Completed forms should be returned to: Priscilla Holmes, Associate Director for Academic Affairs in the Deans' Suite. Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to 8 students. Time Commitment: Must be available for classroom instruction all day every Wednesday and Friday for the semester in which you are enrolled. Students may enroll on NOVASIS. No prior approval is required if all prerequisites are met. The Externship combines hands-on trial experience with an educational component tailored to developing the relevant litigation skills. Students represent clients of the Philadelphia Defender's Association in preliminary hearings for the first part of the semester and represent clients in misdemeanor trials in Philadelphia Muncipal Court for the second part of the semester. A senior trial attorney from the Defender Association closely supervises students during case preparation and court appearances. Intensive class instruction focuses on the Philadelphia Court System, Pennsylvania Criminal Law Procedure, and Evidence, and trial and cross examination skills. Students will be assigned to conduct interviews, develop case theories, negotiate with Assistant District Attorneys, prepare pretrial motions, and represent clients in preliminary hearings for felony cases and in bench misdemeanor trials. Students in this externship must be available all day on both Wednesdays and Fridays. On days when students receive classroom instruction, they will usually be finished by