Skip to main content

Externships

Corporate Counsel Externship

LAW 634
6 Credit Hours

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 2021.  One extern will be hired for the first half of the summer, and one for the second half.

This position provides an opportunity for law students to increase their knowledge of substantive areas of law, explore emerging issues relating to compliance, gain exposure to a fast-paced work environment, and provide valuable support to both the MBUSI legal department and MBUSI team members.

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, and GLE Coupe Sport Utility Vehicles (“SUVs”), and it also manufacturers the C-Class sedan for the North American market.  The plant has a production capacity of 300,000 vehicles per year.    MBUSI currently employs more than 3,700 team members.  Recently, DAG has announced that it will invest $1 billion to build electric vehicles and batteries at MBUSI.

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to Assistant Dean Glory McLaughlin at gmclaughlin@law.ua.edu by November 13, 2020.

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