News
A New Deanship for Experiential Education
Externship Program in DC Launches
JENNIFER A. GUNDLACH was named
Hofstra Law currently offers a
THE HOFSTRA LAW IN D.C. Extern-
senior associate dean for experiential
substantial number of opportunities
ship Program (HLDC) was announced
education in November. Gundlach, who
for students to engage in experi-
this past fall, offering students a total
is also the senior associate dean for
ential learning and pro bono work
immersion and hands-on experi-
academic affairs, has served as both an
through nine clinics and clinical practi-
ence working in a legal setting for
administrator and a faculty member in
cums and many externship programs.
a semester in the nation’s capital.
various roles at the Maurice A. Deane
Under Gundlach’s leadership, the Law
HLDC’s goal is to enable students
School of Law since 2007.
School has already begun to expand
to blend their doctrinal training with
“With more than 10 years of experi-
its offerings through a newly launched
the development of practical skills
ence in clinical legal education, Jennifer
semester-long externship program in
and professional identity to be better
brings great insight and leadership to
Washington, D.C.
prepared to begin practicing law.
an area that is essen-
who
Students will work full time as an
preparing
received her A.B. in
unpaid legal extern at an approved
practice-ready law-
history from Kenyon
congressional
yers,” said Dean Eric
College and her J.D.
government agency, nonprofit orga-
Lane. “In this new
from American Uni-
nization or public interest group.
position,
versity
Washington
They will conduct research and pro-
tial
for
strengthen
she
Gundlach,
will
committee,
federal
Hofstra
College of Law, began
vide advice and assistance on leg-
Law’s commitment
her teaching career at
islative, legal, policy and regulatory
to developing expe-
the Washington Col-
matters under the direct supervision
riential
lege of Law in 2000,
of an experienced attorney. They will
first as an adjunct pro-
also attend a weekly evening semi-
fessor
the
nar, Law and Policymaking in Wash-
first-year course Legal
ington, D.C., taught by HLDC Director
Methods
then
Scott J. Glick ’81, senior counsel
as a practitioner-in-
in the Justice Department’s National
learning
opportunities
for
our students.” The new position
was
created
to expand Hofstra
teaching and
Law’s experiential learning offerings
residence in the Civil Practice Clinic.
and to support students in meet-
From 2002-2007 she was an associ-
The field placements will also
ing the new New York state 50-hour
ate clinical professor of law at Suffolk
allow students to practice many prac-
pro bono requirement. Gundlach is
University Law School in Boston. In
tical advocacy skills, such as drafting
responsible for developing clear stan-
addition
predictive, persuasive or disposi-
dards for assessing the educational
Responsibility,
and
tional legal memoranda; conducting
and professional quality of the Law
developed the Disability Advocacy
factual investigations; participating
School’s pro bono offerings. In addi-
Clinic, a program in which she super-
in client interviewing, counseling and
tion to overseeing pro bono initiatives,
vised
representation
negotiations; and recognizing and
she will further develop the quality and
of indigent clients with disabilities in
resolving ethical dilemmas. They will
quantity of externship courses and the
administrative, state and federal court
also gain valuable experience and
integration of practical skills training
proceedings. H
contacts, enhancing their qualifica-
to
law
teaching she
students’
throughout the curriculum.
Professional created
Security Division.
tions for career opportunities in public interest. H
7
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