Internships

GUIDELINES FOR INTERNSHIPS

There are limited internship positions available with Paris law firms.  For this reason, internships are not guaranteed to all applicants.    We have to set strict guidelines to ensure that the firms receive the student who matches their criteria and requests.  These law firms will only accept a student who speaks French fluently not merely functionally.  Although there is some English spoken in these law firms, the Paris law firms will only consider students who can read, speak, and write French fluently. 

A Paris participant who applies for an Internship will need to take both sessions of the Program, Paris I and Paris II, at least 4 hours of course time – 2 hours in Paris I and 2 hours in Paris II.  A student may, however, take up to a total of 6 hours of course time -- 3 hours in Paris I and 3 hours in Paris II.  The choice of hours will be left up to the student. 

A student who is interested in earning an internship must send the following application documents to Chana Lewis:

1. A copy of his/her law school transcript (does not need to be an official transcript -- but a copy of the law school transcript is mandatory) 
2. A current resume (written in English -- mandatory)
3. A cover letter (written in French -- mandatory)
4. Optional letters of recommendations from Professors of past employers are helpful, but not mandatory.

All applications documents must be submitted to Chana Lewis by the due date of March 14, 2011.  If recommenders are sending letters under separate cover, such letters must arrive by March 14, 2011, and clearly indicate the internship applicant’s name on the front of the envelope. Upon receiving the necessary documentation from internship applicants, all records will be reviewed by the Director to match students with the appropriate Paris law firm.  Internship students will attend classes in the morning and work at their internship in the afternoon hours.

Before the final decision is made to place a student with a Paris firm, the Program Assistant will interview student applicants in French and verify that the student can converse and understand French.  Students who do not pass the French interview evaluation will not be selected, and another student will be interviewed for the position.  It should be noted that these are not paid or for credit internships - these internships are for experience only.   

The length or duration of the internship depends on the needs of the firm and the student's availability.  If and when you are notified that you have earned an internship – it will then be your responsibility to contact the firm (by telephone or email) in order to introduce yourself and to find out the duration of your internship.

Normally, the Career Services Department at your law school will allow you to make international phone calls free of charge.  Upon receiving the start and end dates of your internship with the Paris law firm please e-mail this information to Chana Lewis.  You will be given a 2 week period, from the time you are notified by Tulane, to get in touch with your assigned law firm.  If we do not hear back from you within the 2 week period we will assume you are no longer interested in keeping your internship and the internship will be given to another student.  It is your responsibility to keep the Program Coordinator and the Program Director informed of any and all information concerning your internship, any changes in your address or e-mail address while attending the program and any changes you wish to make in your work hours or the duration of your internship.

If you are interested in applying for an unpaid internship (which will require morning class attendance and afternoon attendance at the assigned law firm) please send in the application documents for consideration by the deadline date of Monday, March 14, 2011.  You may want to consider the following before making a commitment to work as an intern for a firm:  Past students report that an internship, in addition to classes and coursework, further limits the amount of time to sightsee around Paris -- please consider this before applying for an internship.  Should you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to contact Chana Lewis.

Contact information is listed below for your convenience:

Chana L. Lewis

Senior Program Coordinator
International Legal Programs
Tulane Law School
Weinmann Hall Suite 259
6329 Freret Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
(504) 865-5990 (telephone)
(504) 862-8853 (facsimile)
E-mail: clewis1@tulane.edu