Externship at the Court of Justice of the European Union

 

Applications are due to Professor Tracy Kaye.  Please email Professor Tracy Kaye at [email protected] or her legal support specialist, Matilda McDougall at [email protected] for the application. More details available below.

European Court of Justice


Applications must be directly submitted to Professor Tracy Kaye before April 1st so that the Law School can submit to the American Embassy in Luxembourg in a timely manner.

The United States Embassy in Luxembourg is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for the Dean Acheson Legal Scholar (traineeship/internship) Program in Luxembourg at the Court of Justice of the European Union. These 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 April 1st. Each application must include a nomination letter from your law school and be sent as a single PDF file.

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


The 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 Scholar 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 Court of Justice and the General Court. Fifteen Seton Hall Law students are former scholars.

AVAILABLE SCHOLAR PERIODS AT THE EUROPEAN COURT

There are two possible Dean Acheson Legal Scholar periods:

  1. Fall Term (mid-September to mid-December) less than 90 days
  2. Spring Term (mid-February to mid-May) less than 90 days

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

CATEGORIES OF DEAN ACHESON LEGAL SCHOLAR

Three types of Scholars are available:

1.  With a Judge of the Court of Justice

The Dean Acheson Scholar works in the Chambers of a Judge of the Court of Justice in association with his or her referendaires (law clerks).  The Scholar 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 Scholar works in the Chambers of an Advocate General of the Court of Justice in association with his or her referendaires. The Scholar 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 Scholar therefore needs to have the language skills appropriate to the Advocate General who selects him or her. A reading knowledge of French is required. 

3.  With a Judge of the General Court

The Dean Acheson Scholar works in the Chambers of a Judge of the General Court in association with his or her referendaires (law clerks). The Scholar is expected to assist the Judge and his or her referendaires as needed. The tasks are varied and include case law research, scholarly writings analysis, brief production and issue discussions. The cases mainly concern applications by legal or natural persons against EU actions or inactions. Strong French language skills are an advantage.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

No U.S. Government funds are available to assist applicants chosen as Dean Acheson Legal Scholars.  Dean Acheson Scholars are unpaid, and the Court of Justice of the European Union does not make any funds available to support Dean Acheson Scholars. Dean Acheson Scholars are responsible for the full cost of their transportation, room and board while participating in the Dean Acheson scholar program.

INQUIRIES/CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions concerning this program may be addressed to:

Public Affairs Office
U.S. Embassy Luxembourg
Tel. +352 46 01 23 27
http://Luxembourg.USEmbassy.gov
[email protected]
 

Seton Hall Law
Dean Acheson Scholar Participants

  • Chloe Tremblay '24
  • Caitlin Parker '19
  • Beata Safari '17
  • Ariel Risinger '15
  • Catherine Savio '15
  • Yasmine Fulena '14
  • Anthony Marroney Noto '11
  • Elizabeth Dawson '05
  • Eileen Quinn Steiner '01
  • Christina Eoanna Giallourakis '00
  • Janine Tramontana '99
  • Mel Marquis '97
  • Aurora Rodriguez de Aragon '97
  • William Matsikoudis '97
  • Susan Ludwigson '96

Participating
Law Schools

  • American University
  • Arizona State University
  • Boston University
  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University
  • Duke University
  • Fordham University
  • Georgetown University
  • George Washington University
  • Harvard University
  • New York University
  • Northwestern University
  • Seton Hall University
  • Stanford University
  • Southern Methodist University
  • University of Alabama
  • University of California, Berkeley
  • University of California, LA
  • University of Chicago
  • University of Connecticut
  • University of Illinois
  • University of Kansas
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of Southern California
  • University of Texas at Austin
  • University of Virginia
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Washington University, St. Louis
  • West Virginia University
  • Yale University