Logo

Students participating in a judicial placement will work in a city, county, state or federal court under the supervision of a judge or magistrate and their law clerks. Students may observe judicial proceedings, participate in chamber discussions, review files, conduct research and write proposed decisions or bench memoranda. In addition, students will participate in a one-hour weekly classroom session on judicial administration and judicial decision making. There will be discussion regarding judicial power and the role of the judge as negotiator, intervener and administrator. The role of the public, and conduct of attorneys in the courtroom, will also be explored. Student activity and experiences across a range of judicial placements will be integrated into substantive discussion where appropriate. Students are required to participate in the weekly classroom sessions of the Judicial Placement class.

*Students applying for placement with Judges of the Northern District Courts must successfully complete a background check as a condition of the internship. In addition, the internship is subject to the approval of the Appointing Judicial Officer. All background checks will be strictly confidential, but students should be aware that they can be lengthy and will delve into such matters as criminal justice involvement and credit history.

Local Courts

(Students not only assist in researching and drafting opinions for the judges, but they also are given opportunities to observe proceedings. Judges directly supervise and interact with law interns on a regular basis, and with the volume of cases there is an endless variety of issues.)

  • Albany City Court - Civil
  • Albany City Court - Criminal
  • Albany City Court - Traffic
  • Town and Village Courts (Assist Counsel from Third Judicial District Administrative Office assigned to Town & Village Courts)
  • County Courts (Criminal Trial Courts) (Some County Court Judges also sit in Family and Surrogate Court as noted)
  • Columbia County Family/Surrogate Court
  • Fulton County/Surrogate Court
  • Ulster County Court

Family Courts

  • Albany County Family Court
  • Schenectady County Family Court

State Courts