About Dean Acheson Externship at the European Court of Justice

Applications are due to Professors Tracy Kaye or Elizabeth Defeis.  The application is available here for download. More details available below.

Seton Hall Law students and/or recent graduates are eligible for a $5,000 stipend as part of their participation in the program. Applications must be directly submitted to Professor Tracy Kaye or Professor Elizabeth Defeis.

The United States Embassy in Luxembourg is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for the Dean Acheson Legal Stage (traineeship/internship) Program in Luxembourg at the Court of Justice of the European Communities for 2012-13.  These stage opportunities for periods of not more than three months are offered to a limited number of students or recent graduates from select U.S. law schools.  Applications must be received by the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg by May 3, 2012.

Seton Hall Law is proud to be a participating law school offering externships in the Dean Acheson Legal Stage Program at the Court of Justice of the European Communities for recent graduates or third year students. This unique, prestigious program offers traineeships for students from U.S. law schools at the European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance.

The European Court of Justice is the highest court of the European Union (EU). The EU unites 27 sovereign countries in an effort to reduce economic and social barriers and to create economic development, balanced trade, and fair competition opportunities among the member states.  EU membership criteria requires a stable democracy based on the rule of law, respect for human rights and protection of minorities, market economy and full commitment to "acquis communautaire".

One of the most sought-after internships in the European Union, the Legal Stage Program is an extraordinary opportunity for law school students and recent graduates to engage in substantive research and work with leading European judges and advocates-general from the European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance. Eight Seton Hall Law students are former stagiaires.

AVAILABLE STAGE PERIODS AT THE EUROPEAN COURT

There are two possible Dean Acheson Legal Stage periods for 2012-2013:

1. Fall Term (mid-September to mid-December)
2. Spring Term (mid-February to mid-May)

Some flexibility regarding dates may be possible at the discretion of the Judge or Advocate General to whom the Dean Acheson stagiaire is attached.  Exact dates will be determined by the calendar of the Court. The maximum stage period is three months due to Luxembourg visa requirements for non-EU citizens.

CATEGORIES OF DEAN ACHESON LEGAL STAGE

Three types of stage are available:

1.  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 unparallelled 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.  

2.  With an Advocate General of the Court of Justice

The Dean Acheson stagiaire works in the Cahmbers 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 clerking 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. 

The Dean Acheson stagiaire works in the Chambers of a 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.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

No U.S. Government funds are available to assist applicants chosen for Dean Acheson Legal stages.  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.

INQUIRIES/CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions concerning this program may be addressed to: