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TagsBut there is one important thing to know about the job offer – there's no pay.
The state Division of Law is accepting applications for a new "Volunteer Associates in Public Service'' program, an initiative through which attorneys and law school graduates can gain valuable, unpaid experience working on government-related legal matters, Attorney general Anne Milgram said Tuesday.
The program is open to law school graduates, deferred associates, furloughed or laid off attorneys and lawyers re-entering legal practice. Volunteers will be asked to work at least 20 hours per week for a period of at least three months.Volunteers who are already admitted to the New Jersey bar, and who are able to commit to longer service periods, will be given a broader range of responsibilities, including the possibility of trial work.
"This is a great opportunity for qualified candidates to learn how state government works, to gain experience in areas of the law that may be unfamiliar to them, and to make a genuine difference by working on legal matters that impact on New Jersey citizens," Milgram said.
"The Division of Law handles a broad array of important legal issues, including child protection, consumer fraud, civil rights and environmental litigation, to name a few," said Taysen Van Itallie, the division director. "I am confident that those selected to work in our volunteer associate program will find it an informative and rewarding career experience."
Depending on their areas of interest and experience, volunteers may be asked to conduct depositions, perform research and write briefs, work with investigators or assist with discovery demands.
Volunteers will also be able to take part in informal section training, and to attend seminars offered by the Attorney General's Advocacy Institute, a professional enrichment program available to Division of Law attorneys.
The Division of Law maintains offices in Trenton, Newark and Voorhees. The division handles such areas of the law as environmental protection, education, health, financial matters, banking, securities, insurance fraud, torts, corrections, employment litigation, child protection, public utilities, consumer protection, and transportation.
Applicants should have strong research and writing skills.
Prospective volunteers should send a cover letter that includes information on preferred areas of the law and preferred work location, as well as a resume, unofficial law school transcripts, a writing sample and two references.
The application should be sent to: Deputy Attorney General John Franzini, c/o The Division of Law, PO Box 112, Trenton, NJ 08625.
Prospective volunteers can also apply on-line by visiting the Division of Law web site and locating the Volunteer Attorney Program icon.
– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM