Internship | Legal Studies Program | University College of Syracuse University

Syracuse University offers its Legal Studies Program students the opportunity to participate in an internship with local business members.

The Objectives of the Internship Program are:

To bridge the gap between paralegal education in the classroom and paralegal practice in the workplace

To provide students with an opportunity to gain the practical skills needed to work in a professional legal setting

To expose students to the Codes of Civility and Ethics required in the practice of law

To assist students in defining and clarifying career goals in the legal profession

Intern Responsibilities:

1. Paralegal interns represent the Syracuse University Legal Studies Program, the Paralegal profession, as well as themselves. Interns are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and uphold the highest ethical standards.

2. Interns will dress appropriately for all professional engagements.

3. Interns will submit to the Legal Studies Program an Intern/Sponsor Agreement that contains the following:

Days, Hours and Length of the internship (including start and end dates). Interns will discuss and establish with the sponsoring company the days and hours of their placement. If, for any reason, the student is unable to meet these hours, it is their responsibility to notify their supervisor and make appropriate arrangements. Interns will be expected to work at least 10, but no more than 20 hours per week. Internships will generally last between 12 weeks. Other arrangements between Intern and Sponsoring Organization will require the approval of the Internship Coordinator (or Program Director).

4. Interns are responsible for their own transportation to and from the internship site.

5. Interns are expected to meet with the Internship Coordinator (or Program Director) during weekly scheduled class time to discuss and evaluate the student's progress, difficulties and offer guidance regarding their internship.

6. Upon completion of an internship, interns are required to submit the attached written evaluation of their internship.

Sponsor Responsibilities:

1. The sponsoring organization agrees to provide the student intern with appropriate law-related, non-clerical assignments during the internship. A summary of these paralegal tasks shall be listed in the Intern/Sponsor Agreement Form.

2. The Sponsor agrees to provide appropriate supervision, instruction, and sufficient materials to complete requested assignments. Irrespective of immediate supervision, ultimate supervision shall be vested in a supervising attorney.

3. The Sponsor is required to discuss and establish appropriate days and hours of employment with the student intern. These are to be listed on the Internship Agreement Form.

4. An intern's reimbursement for work-related expenses is the responsibility of the sponsoring organization.

5. The Sponsor agrees to provide a written evaluation, using the attached form, of the student at the end of the internship period. The Sponsor also agrees to discuss progress with the Legal Studies Program's Internship Coordinator or Program Director at least once during the internship (approximately at the halfway point in the internship period) to evaluate intern performance.