Externships

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office has an exciting opportunity for law students who are interested in becoming prosecutors. The New York State Appellate Division, Second Department, Student Practice Order allows law students who have completed at least 2 semesters of law school and who have been accepted into a duly-authorized law school program to serve as law student externs and carry out all of the duties of a Junior Assistant District Attorney.

All law student externs will be assigned a caseload of approximately 15 cases throughout the semester and will work closely with supervisors and Assistant District Attorneys to investigate and prosecute their assigned cases. Investigations will include interviewing witnesses, both civilian and law enforcement, reviewing physical and documentary evidence, and visiting crime scenes. Student externs will also prepare accusatory instruments and cover their assigned cases in the courtroom. This may entail doing an arraignment, a court conference, or taking a plea. The externs can also cover the daily calendar in the courtrooms and speak on the record for each case that they handle.

Externs will be required to handle their prosecutions as their cases progress, including answering and demanding discovery, conducting legal research, drafting motion papers, and much more. Externs will conduct pre-trial hearings and bench trials and may have the opportunity to make an opening statement, examine witnesses, both on direct and cross, make objections, conduct legal arguments, and do a summation. Each extern will be given appropriate supervision and mentorship throughout the entire experience.

Externs must adhere to all applicable constitutional and statutory requirements, as well as all policies of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Utmost professionalism is required. 

If you are interested in applying for an externship position, please submit a cover letter, your resume and three references to Laura.Fabrizio@suffolkcountyny.gov.