Judge Andrew J. Lievense is now seeking law students for an externship/internship for the Fall 2026 term. The position reports directly to the Judge and his judicial law clerks. Primary responsibilities include:
•Work collaboratively with the Judge and law clerks.
•Engage in discussions with the Judge/clerks about the merits of the cases and provide advice on legal issues, recommended outcomes for individual issues, and disposition of appeals. This duty includes reading appellate briefs, reviewing lower court records, and conducting electronic research on the Court’s database, online and print research, and (as necessary) off-site library research.
•Prepare bench memoranda in advance of oral argument for cases assigned directly to the Judge. This duty includes reviewing the briefs and arguments advanced by the parties, reviewing the lower court record and summarizing important facts and arguments, conducting legal research and reviewing caselaw, providing a legal analysis of each issue raised by the briefs, drafting and editing the memoranda, and discussing the memoranda with the Judge before circulation to the judges on the case call panel.
•Under the direction of the Judge/clerks, prepare draft opinions for assigned cases. Also, under the direction of the judge, prepare draft concurrences and draft dissents.
•Ensure compliance/consistency of all circulated and finalized opinions with the Michigan Supreme Court Opinion Manual.
•Review/stay apprised of recent published decisions of the Michigan Court of Appeals, Michigan Supreme Court, and United States Supreme Court and of revisions to statutes and court rules.
WORK LOCATION: Cadillac Place, Detroit, MI. In-person participation is encouraged.
COMPENSATION: This position is unpaid with the possibility of earning course credit. Students are responsible for arranging course credit with their law school’s experiential learning program.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, with applications closing August 1, 2026.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
