Clerkships at the European Court of Justice:
Dean Acheson Legal Stage Program

The Dean Acheson Legal Stage Program at the Court of Justice of the European Communities, organized through the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg, offers stage opportunities to a limited number of students from select US law schools at the Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance. The students are nominated to the Court by their law schools. The Court makes the final selection decision. University of Michigan law students and alumni are eligible to apply for these stage opportunities. This is a tremendous opportunity to work in the chambers of a Judge or Advocate General of the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. The position provides insight into the workings of the Court. The work environment is collegial, as clerks of all chambers spend a good deal of time together within and outside the Court of Justice.  Among Michigan Law graduates selected as stagiaires at the European Court of Justice. three were selected in 2008-09.

Information about the European Court of Justice may be found at: http://curia.eu.int/index.htm

AVAILABLE STAGE PERIODS AT THE EUROPEAN COURT
There are two possible Dean Acheson Legal Stage periods for 2009-10:

Fall Term (mid-September to mid-December 2009)
Spring Term (mid-February to mid-May 2010)

Some flexibility regarding dates may be possible at the discretion of the Judge or Advocate General to whom the Dean Acheson stagiaire is attached, but the maximum stage period is three months due to Luxembourg visa requirements for non-E.U. citizens.

CATEGORIES OF DEAN ACHESON LEGAL STAGE
Three types of stage are available:

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 unparalleled 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.

With an Advocate General of the Court of Justice
The Dean Acheson stagiaire works in the Chambers 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 Generals 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.

With a Judge of the Court of First Instance
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.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
The purpose of the Dean Acheson Legal Stage Program is to promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and the European Union in the context of the legal profession. It is, therefore, open to American citizens and legal permanent residents only. Priority will be given to applicants who have completed three years of law school and who have a strong knowledge of Community Law. As noted above, some knowledge of French is required, varying with the type of stage. Knowledge of an E.U. language other than French and English is an advantage, and generally necessary for a stage with an Advocate General.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Michigan applicants  must submit their completed applications to the Law School's Center for International & Comparative Law no later than Monday, April 6, 2009.  Compliance with the deadline is essential. It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure that his or her application (including letters of reference and transcript) is complete by the deadline. Please submit your application electronically to Barbara Glispin at glispin@umich.edu. Please advise your two references that they may also submit by email or by fax to 734-763-9182. A committee of Law School faculty will decide which applications to nominate to the Court.

The application is to include:

a.  Application form
b.  Two letters of reference (We strongly encourage that at least one letter of reference be from a law faculty member and one from an individual with experience in European Community Law.  The latter could, of course, be a law professor.)
c.  Official copies of your Law School and undergraduate transcripts
d.  Current term course list
e.  Resume
f.  Description of your proficiency, background and experience in one or more foreign languages

Please direct questions to Assistant Dean Virginia Gordan, 300C Legal Research, vgordan@umich.edu.