Pre-Approved Placements
COLLEGE OF LAW EXTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS
Katherine Ball, Externship Coordinator
All externship placements that are approved, or that have been approved in the past, are preapproved for pro bono placements.
Students may fulfill the pro bono requirement by working an additional 40 hours after completion of the externship.
NOTE: Judicial Clerk placements do not qualify for the pro bono requirement.
Ms. Ball also sponsors research projects for students on behalf of the U.S. federal district court pro se project and on behalf of Idaho Magistrate Judges.
COLLEGE OF LAW CLINICS
Faculty
The Clinics invite pro bono 2L students to assist 3L students who are taking the course.
In particular, bilingual pro bono students will be paired with non-bilingual students who are engaged in the Immigration Law clinic and will assist in all aspects of that clinic.
This is a good opportunity for 2L’s to decide whether or not they wish to take Clinic in their third year.
COLLEGE OF LAW STUDENT ORGANIZATION PROJECTS
Many student organizations on campus have signature projects that they make available to their members. Contact organization officers to learn more about each of these projects.
Public Interest Law Group (PILG)
- Law-in-the-Classroom. Students make presentations at Moscow and Lewiston high schools. Orofino High uses students to work on mock legislature.
- CASA. Students work as guardians ad litem for children who are abused, abandoned or neglected. (See Second Judicial District CASA Program.)
- Youth Accountability Board. Students sit on boards in Moscow and Kendrick that serve as a diversionary system for cases that would otherwise go into the juvenile justice system.
- Alternative Spring Break. PILG sponsors numerous placements for students who wish to provide pro bono legal service in Idaho and elsewhere during Spring Break.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Students review complaints from schools, prisons and others regarding denial of civil rights and liberties. They work up cases and make recommendations to the ACLU statewide board of attorneys who decide which cases to pursue.
Work is also needed on a “Know Your Rights” pamphlet for high schools.
Environmental Law Society (ELS)
Students work on issues identified locally for Friends of the Clearwater, or elsewhere in Idaho and in the region. For example, for the Hells Canyon Protection Council or for Advocates for the West.
J. Reuben Clark Law Society
- The organization works on tabloid-type publications for use in classrooms and universities in Idaho. More than 25,000 copies have been distributed.
- Students provide legal assistance, mostly to other university students, on landlord-tenant problems.
Law Students for Appropriate Dispute Resolution
Students who are credentialed mediators seek opportunities to provide mediation services.
Native American Law Students Association
Students serve at guardians ad litem for the Coeur d’Alene tribal judicial system.
OUTLAW
Students sponsor wills clinics in Moscow and in Boise for same-sex couples.
SALSA
- Students assist at Citizenship Days to help permanent alien residents to apply for naturalization
- Students assist in Immigration Law Clinic by taking on work over and above course requirements, or by serving as translators in clinic situations.
- Students attend “charla” gatherings in Boise to do intake or to assist pro bono attorneys helping those with a “notice to appear” at a deportation hearing.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Students provide income tax assistance throughout the local community, at the reservation in Plummer, and to native peoples in Alaska over Spring Break.
Women’s Law Caucus
Members volunteer time to assist students taking the Domestic Violence Clinic.
PRESUMPTIVELY PREAPPROVED – GENERAL
It is presumed that certain types of placements are preapproved even if they are out-of-state and even if they have not previously had a University of Idaho law school extern. These include:
Federal Government
- Immigration and Naturalization Service
- U.S. Attorney’s Office
- U.S. Department of Education
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Idaho
- U.S. District Court, District of Idaho
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, Office of Staff Attorneys
State Governments
- Capital Habeas Unit, Federal Defenders of Eastern WA and ID
- State of Idaho
- State of Idaho, Governor’s Office
- State of Idaho, Attorney General’s Office
- Idaho Court of Appeals
- Idaho Supreme Court
- State of Washington
- State of Washington, Attorney General’s Office
- WSU, Attorney General’s Office Division
Local Government
- City Attorney Offices
- City Public Defender Offices
- County Prosecuting Attorney Offices
- County Public Defender Offices
- Court Assistance Program, Ada County/Latah County
Magistrate and District Courts
OTHER PREAPPROVED PRO BONO PLACEMENTS
AARP Idaho
3080 E Gentry Way - Suite 100
Meridian, Idaho 83642
208.885.4001
aarpid@aarp.org
Annual Legislative Package: e.g., assist in developing consumer protection legislation regarding predatory lending practices of pay day loan companies; create brochures: e.g., legal rights of grandparents raising grandchildren protecting end-of-life rights.
ACLU of Idaho
Monica Hopkins, Executive Director
Lea Cooper, Staff Attorney
P.O. Box 1897
Boise, ID 83701
208.344.9750
208.344.7201
Review case files on behalf of statewide Board that chooses which cases to litigate.
Address prison inmate grievances.
Provide legislative assistance: analyze legislation; research alternative approaches in other states; draft briefing papers for legislature and for testimony at hearings.
Ada County Public Defender
Alan Trimming
Ann Cosho
200 W. Front St.
Boise, ID 83702
208.287.7400 (7438 - Cosho)
On-site assistance in Boise. Long-distance research on motions, or recurring issues of importance to the office.
Advocates for the West
Laird Lucas
1320 W. Franklin
P.O. Box 1612
Boise, ID 83702
208.342.7024
208.342.8286 Fax
llucas@rmci.net
Litigation: caseload of over 200 cases in environmental litigation, on behalf of twenty-five public interest conservation groups.
Seeking candidates of “intensity, zeal and passion” for the causes they represent.
Work can lead to a “Note” for law review.
Second Judicial District CASA Program
Lisa D. Elliott, Program Coordinator
504 Main St. - Suite 444
Lewiston, ID 83501
208.746.3378
casa2@lewiston.com
When a child is found to be neglected or abused, there are conflicts of interest. One or both of the parents may have been involved in the abuse/neglect. The Department of Health and Welfare is statutorily required to seek unification of the family. The CASA program is called upon to represent “the best interests of the child.” A guardian ad litem is appointed to investigate the situation and report to the court. Second-year law students will be able to become guardians ad litem (GAL). Third-year students with limited licenses will be able to serve as attorneys for the GAL.
Catholic Charities of Idaho
Starr Shepard
4202 W. Emerald St.
Boise, ID 83706
208.345.6031
Catholic Charities runs an extensive program of immigration services throughout the state. The office focus is on VAWA and UVISA cases. Staff members are certified to appear at Immigration Court. Private attorneys supervise the work.
Co-Ad, Inc., Boise
Mary Jo Butler
4477 Emerald Ave.
Boise, ID 83706
208.336.5353
208.336.5396 Fax
jbutler@sbc-attorneys.com
Co-Ad’s mission is to defend the rights of the disabled, through litigation, mediation, compliance monitoring, and legislation. Examples include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance in access to buildings; employment discrimination; and legislative research.
Idaho Coalition against Sexual & Domestic Violence
Kelly Miller, Director
300 E. Mallard Dr.
Boise, ID 83706
208.384.0419
The Coalition is a group of 30 organizations seeking to provide relief to victims of domestic/sexual violence. Projects include issues regarding workplace violence, protective orders. Develop legal materials for curriculum in domestic violence “Academy.” Assist in Idaho’s campaign against dating violence.
Idaho Conservation League
Courtney Washburn
710 W. 6th St.
Boise, ID 83702
208.345.6933
Major presence in Idaho Legislature. ICL can use help from students who have background in biology, engineering, etc., to analyze/comment on Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) documents on controversial project proposals. ICL is in the process of opening an office in Northern Idaho. Focus: e.g., impact of growth on the aquifer.
Idaho Innocence Project
Greg Hampikian, PhD, Professor of Biology and Criminal Justice
Boise State University
1910 University Drive
Boise, ID 83725-1515
208.426.4992
The Idaho Innocence Project reviews criminal convictions of prisoners --those on death row or serving life sentences -- to determine, by DNA analysis, whether the prisoner is the one who committed the crime. The Project needs a summer intern to review case files to determine if cases have arguable merit. The student does a case summary for review by the Legal Advisory Board.
Idaho Legal Aid Services (ILAS) – Boise Office
Rod Gere
Jim Cook
Ritchie Eppink
310 N. 5th St.
Boise, ID 83702
208.345.0106
208.342.2561 (FAX)
ilasboise@rmci.net
Direct client service in summer: intake; interview clients; staff senior Hotline.
Idaho Legal Aid Services (ILAS) - Lewiston Office
Jeannine Ferguson, Lead Attorney
633 Main St. Ste 103
P.O. Box 973
Lewiston, ID 83501
208.743.1256
208.743.3261 (FAX)
legalaid@lewiston.com
Litigation: draft pleadings, subpoena witnesses, get statements. Prepare clients for small claims court: interview; get facts; help with affidavits; get documentation; identify elements of case needed to prevail; prove damages. Office intake and interviews. Presentations on fair housing and domestic violence.
Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program (IVLP)
Mary Hobson, Director
Idaho State Bar
525 W. Jefferson
Boise, ID 83702
208.334.4510
On-site work in summer and during spring break.
Latah County - Court Assistance Program
Frances Thompson
P.O. Box 8068
Moscow, Idaho
208.883.7221
courtassistance@latah.id.us
Program helps walk-in pro se clients navigate interactive court forms.
Law-Related Education - High Schools in Moscow, Lewiston and Orofino
- Students help Government teachers by making a class presentation, or engaging in a debate on a constitutional law issue for high school seniors.
- Orofino High School has won national recognition for its mock legislature program. Law students assist the high school students. See Pat Costello, who has assisted in this program for many years.
Nez Perce County - Court Assistance Program
Steve Larsen
1230 Main St
Lewiston, ID 83501
208.799.3191
Help navigate pro se clients through interactive computer-based assistance forms. Proceed gradually from no fault divorce through more complex cases where property and child custody disputes are involved. Mr. Larsen will train and serve as mentor/supervisor.
Nez Perce County Prosecuting Attorney
Dan Spickler, P.A.
1109 F. St.
Lewiston, ID 83501
208.799.3078
Various projects in civil law division.
Nez Perce County Public Defender
William J. Fitzgerald
504 Main St. Ste 480
Lewiston, ID 83501
208.743.6100
wfitzgerald@cableone.net
Lewiston/Nez Perce City/County Misdemeanors: represent clients at plea bargain sessions on Friday mornings; put plea on record in open court. Juvenile cases. Research on motions to suppress, etc.
Nez Perce Tribe
Julie Kane, Managing Attorney
Office of Legal Counsel
P.O. Box 305
Lapwai, ID 83540
208.843.7355
The law school has worked with the Nez Perce Tribe for many years. Work includes litigation, domestic cases, juvenile crimes, public defender work.
State of Idaho, Appellate Public Defender
Molly Huskey, Director
3647 Lake Harbor Dr.
Boise, ID 83703
208.334.2712
Appellate work on cases. Summer, spring break and school year work available.
United States District Court Pro Bono Assistance Office
Federal Building
Boise, ID
555 W. Fort St.
Boise, ID 83724-0039
Assist pro bono attorneys on federal cases. E.g., prisoner cases (religious discrimination; medical care access; sexual assaults). Non-criminal cases: e.g., denial of Social Security benefits.
Washington State University
Center for Human Rights
Raul Sanchez, Director
French Administration Building 225
Pullman, WA 99164
509.335.8388
raulmsanchez@wsu.edu
Investigate complaints of discrimination against minority/diversity populations. Research program compliance with WSU anti-affirmative-action laws. Serve as presenters for WSU personnel on topics such as sexual harassment, diversity training, etc.
Whitman County Public Defender
John S. Snyder
155 SE Kamiaken St.
Pullman, WA 99163
509.332.9810
Work closely with 3L paid intern on general criminal defense matters.