College of Law :: Georgia State University

Alternative Dispute Resolution Externship Fulton County/Magistrate Court

LAW 8008

Description

(3) hours per semester, two semester requirement. Prerequisites: 2L or 3L and Mediation Training (provided at the end of the summer). Preferred coursework: ADR; Interviewing Counseling and Negotiation; and Litigation. Applications accepted only in the spring for the following academic year. Students work a minimum of 10 hours per week under the supervision of an attorney mediating cases that deal with numerous issues of law within the court system. Prior to mediating, students will receive 28 hours of civil mediation training. *Through the program, the students will obtain certification as registered neutrals with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. Students will mediate landlord/tenant disputes and as the students progress over the year, they will mediate other disputes as well, including cases handled in the State and Magistrate Court; particularly small claim civil issues such as disputes between neighbors, consumers and businesses, and creditors and debtors. Assuming an agreement is reached during mediation, students will be responsible for drafting the Order detailing the agreement. Upon acceptance to this externship, a criminal background check by the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution will be conducted. All students who have not previously taken an externship must attend a classroom component at the law school. Students must be available to go to court on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Weekly discussion/seminar sessions will take place at the courthouse during the semester. Consent of the Lawyer Skills Externship Program faculty required for enrollment. *NOTE: The 28 hours of mediation training is included in the 140 hour requirement.

Credit hours: 3