Court of Justice of the European Communities Clerkship Program

Court of Justice of the European Communities Clerkship Program

New York University School of Law selects up to three candidates for participation in the Dean Acheson Legal Stage Program annually. Those selected by NYU will then be forwarded for final selection by judges or advocates general at the Court of Justice of the European Communities. Those selected for this program will work in a clerk's capacity at the Court of Justice of the European Communities for a period of not more than three months.

Available Stage Periods
There are two possible Stage periods for the 2008-2009 academic year:

• Fall Term (mid-September to mid-December)
• Spring Term (mid-February to mid-May)

Categories of Appointment
There are three types of appointments available for the Stage:

• With a Judge of the Court of Justice
  The Dean Acheson stagiaire works in the Chambers of a Judge of the Court of Justice in association with his or her referendaires (law clerks). The stagiaire is expected to assist the Judge and his or her referendaires as required. This experience offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain insight into a judicial process characteristic of the European Court, but very different from the American approach, involving a high degree of intellectual teamwork. Strong French language skills are essential.
• With an Advocate General of the Court of Justice
  The Dean Acheson stagiaire works in the Chambers of an Advocate General of the Court of Justice in association with his or her referendaires. The stagiaire takes part in the research and writing of the Advocate General's opinions, an experience most akin to a traditional U.S. judicial clerkship experience. Advocates General prepare their opinions in their native language. The stagiaire therefore needs to have the language skills appropriate to the Advocate General who selects him or her. A reading knowledge of French is required.
• With a Judge of the Court of First Instance
  The Dean Acheson stagiaire works in the Chambers of the Judge of the Court of First Instance (CFI), assisting him or her in connection with cases before the CFI. Candidates for this stage should have a strong background in antitrust/competition law. A reading knowledge of French is required.

Eligibility Requirements
The purpose of the Dean Acheson Legal Stage Program is to promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and the European Union in the context of the legal profession. It is therefore open to American citizens and legal permanent residents only. Priority will be given to applicants who have completed three years of law school and who have a strong knowledge of Community Law. As noted above, some knowledge of French is required, varying with the type of appointment. Knowledge of an EU language other than French and English is an advantage, and generally necessary for a stage with an Advocate General.

Financial Assistance
No U.S. Government funds are available to assist applicants chosen for the Dean Acheson Legal Stage Program. Dean Acheson stages are unpaid, and the European Court of Justice does not make any funds available to support Dean Acheson stagiaires. Dean Acheson stagiaires are responsible for the full cost of their transportation, room and board while participating in the Dean Acheson Stage Program. The Hauser Global Law School Program is unable to financially support those selected.

Application Information
All interested candidates should submit their complete application to Christine Jensch, Coordinator for Global Visitors and Exchange Programs, Hauser Global Law School Program, Suite 340, Furman Hall, 245 Sullivan Street, New York, NY 10012. Additionally, candidates may submit electronic portions of their application by email to Law.Global@nyu.edu.

The deadline for submission of complete applications is April 18, 2008. You may download the application form.

All applications must include:

• Completed Application Form
• Letter of Interest
• Resume/CV
• Official transcript from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended
• Evidence of French language proficiency

As all applicants will be working in an environment where, at minimum, some knowledge of French is required, we request evidence of the applicant's French language ability. If the applicant has had cause to take the Test de française international (TFI), or the Test d'Evaluation de Française (TEF), an unofficial score report will satisfy this requirement. If the applicant is published in French, a copy of the published work will satisfy this requirement. Otherwise, please supply evidence of French language learning at the collegiate or graduate level (for example, an undergraduate transcript) along with an unpublished writing sample in French for evaluation.

All applications must be complete upon submission. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted in order to meet the April 18, 2008 deadline. Although a writing sample is not required for application, each applicant should be prepared to supply a writing sample if requested. Those selected by NYU School of Law to be forwarded for final selection to the Court of Justice will be notified in late April.