PICS Organization Name
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of NY
Magistrate Judge Cheryl Pollak
Website
https://www.nyed.uscourts.gov/content/magistrate-judge-cheryl-l-pollak
City/State
Brooklyn, New York
Weekly Stipend
$500
Public Transportation
Yes
Housing Provided
No
Former Interns
Laura Hausman '20, Theo Tamayo '19, Jeremy Burton '18, Jacquelyn Thorbjornson '19, Mary Claire Bartlett '18
Organization Description
Judge Pollak is a United States Magistrate Judge sitting in the Eastern District of New York, in the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse. Chambers consists of the Judge, one Judicial Assistant, and two law clerks, with whom the interns work most closely. As a Magistrate Judge, Judge Pollak is assigned to a wide array of civil cases, ranging from personal injury lawsuits, to employment discrimination cases, to habeas corpus petitions. She also takes guilty pleas in criminal matters pending before a District Judge, and when assigned to criminal duty, handles arraignments and the approval of search and arrest warrants.
Internship Description
The assignments that the interns will work on will depend on the case load that chambers is handling upon their arrival. The assignments will mostly involve research and then writing either research memos for the law clerks or the Judge or drafting sections of actual opinions. Either way, the interns will get feedback from both the law clerks and the Judge. Interns will also be free to sit in on conferences, hearings, oral arguments, guilty pleas, and trials, both before Judge Pollak or taking place elsewhere in the courthouse. The interns will be exposed to all that goes on in chambers and will have the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of legal issues and to witness the inner workings of the legal system.
Internship Qualifications
Interns should have excellent research and writing skills. Interns should also be extremely organized and detail-oriented. An interest in law is preferable.
Ability to perform self-directed work and get along well in a group.
**Writing sample required: 5 pages maximum showcasing analytical abilities
Expected Start Time
9:00 am
Expected End Time
5:00 pm
Required Dates
No earlier than May 30 - no later than August 23
Internship Length
10 Weeks
Meets Certificate Requirement
No
Additional Info
Interns should be able to secure housing by subletting an apartment or room in New York City. Summer sublets in the greater NYC area include potential housing in NYC-based university dormitories.
The courthouse is located close to most major subway lines in New York City.
Interns may be subject to a background check and/or fingerprinting. See federal government employment guidelines. Interns will have forms to fill out in the HR department prior to start of internship and first day of internship.
**Writing sample required: 5 pages maximum showcasing analytical abilities
Evaluation Excerpt
My relationship with the judge was familiar and rewarding. Judge Pollak was purposeful in ensuring that the interns were exposed to all of the different parts of the court. Additionally, she allowed me and the other interns to sit in on all of her hearings and ask clarifying questions after to make sure that we had a good grasp on the legal issues involved in the cases.
—Jeremy Burton '18
Judge Pollak was exceptionally generous, compassionate and thoughtful as an alumni partner. She provided stellar advice and took the time to get to know me and my viewpoint. It was a sincere honor to speak with her and work for her and I look forward to furthering our connection! —Laura Hausman '20