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Externships

Corporate Counsel Externship

LAW 634
6 Credit Hours

Through partnerships with local corporations, the law school offers students the opportunity to complete an externship with a corporate general counsel office. These positions allow law students to increase their knowledge of substantive areas of law, explore emerging issues relating to compliance and corporate governance, and gain exposure to a fast-paced work environment. Students in these externships generally work on a variety of legal issues, including matters in the fields of contracts, employment law, intellectual property, antitrust, and more.

There are currently two corporate counsel placements available for Summer 2022:

Please contact Assistant Dean Glory McLaughlin with questions.

Corporate Counsel Externship:  Mercedes-Benz U.S. International

The law school has partnered with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, located just outside of Tuscaloosa in Vance, AL, to offer a corporate counsel externship during the summer.  Two students will be selected for this program – one for the first half of the summer, and one for the second half. Each extern will work full-time for six weeks, and will earn six hours of academic credit.*

To apply, please see the job description below.

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) seeks applicants for a corporate counsel externship in the summer of 2022.  One extern will be hired for the first half of the summer, and one for the second half.

Responsibilities:

  • Research relevant legal materials and data to aid in corporate decision making.
  • Prepare informational presentations to provide legal guidance to team members.
  • Analyze the law on complex issues and write supporting memos for corporate counsel and management leaders.
  • Assist in drafting pleadings, briefs, demand letters, appeals, manuals, and policy memoranda.
  • Evaluate and summarize legal documents ranging from transactional matters to litigation issues.
  • Contribute to analysis of government regulations, proposed legislation, and political activity related to the auto manufacturing industry.
  • Review a variety of commercial contracts.
  • Redline vendor agreements as needed.
  • Draft notes in meetings, investigations, and interviews.
  • Interact with and provide general support for legal department and team members,

Qualifications:

  • Must be pursuing a juris doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of Alabama School of Law.
  • Exceptional writing and analytical skills.
  • Demonstrated strong legal research.
  • Effective, clear, and concise presentation skills.
  • Extremely detail oriented.
  • Ability to work independently with excellent organizational skills.
  • Proficient in PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Excel, and OneNote.

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc.’s facility in Vance (Tuscaloosa), Alabama is one of the most advanced automotive manufacturing facilities in the world.  MBUSI was founded in 1993, and production started in 1997. This plant was the first major Mercedes-Benz production facility outside Germany and is regarded as the nucleus of the automotive industry in Alabama.  MBUSI produces the GLE, GLS, GLS Maybach, and GLE Coupe Sport Utility Vehicles (“SUVs”).  The plant has a production capacity of 300,000 vehicles per year.  MBUSI currently employs more than 3,700 team members.  MBUSI is ramping up its new state-of-the-art battery plant right now and will begin producing electric SUVs in 2022.

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to Assistant Dean Glory McLaughlin at gmclaughlin@law.ua.edu by October 31, 2021.

* Please note that summer externships require registration for a summer course, and students will have to pay tuition to receive academic credits.

Corporate Counsel Externship:  Randall-Reilly

The law school has partnered with Randall-Reilly, headquartered in Tuscaloosa, AL, to offer a corporate counsel externship during the summer.  Two students will be selected for this program – one for the first half of the summer, and one for the second half. Each extern will work full-time for six weeks, and will earn six hours of academic credit.*

To apply, please see the job description below.

———————–

Randall-Reilly is a data, analytics, and decision-making platform business operating within the transportation, infrastructure, agriculture, and construction industries based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, with offices across the country.  Randall-Reilly is looking for 1L or 2L candidates interested in our summer clerk externship program. We will have two 6-week programs for the summer.

The program is designed to provide in-depth insight into Randall-Reilly, our clients, and the general corporate, HR, and compliance matters associated with our business. Our goal is to familiarize summer clerks with all areas of our business through direct work with the General Counsel, HR, and other business leaders; research, document review, and drafting; and policy review and implementation. Summer clerks will also gain exposure to our mergers and acquisition department.

A summer clerk will be assigned to assist the General Counsel who will also serve as a mentor throughout the clerk’s time at Randall-Reilly. This is an unpaid summer externship in our Tuscaloosa, Alabama office, but a stipend will be provided to assist with expenses.

Although academic excellence is extremely important in making hiring decisions, other factors are taken into consideration, as well. Interpersonal skills and extra-curricular activities also weigh heavily in the hiring process. We seek students who have excelled in their law school classes, and those that have an interest in the non-traditional corporate legal world.

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to Assistant Dean Glory McLaughlin at gmclaughlin@law.ua.edu by October 31, 2021.

* Please note that summer externships require registration for a summer course, and students will have to pay tuition to receive academic credits.