Spring Term, Block A
Professor Phillip Malone
2-4 classroom credits
The Government Lawyer clinic allows students to examine firsthand the roles and responsibilities of a federal prosecutor. Students are placed at the United States Attorney's Office in Boston. Work may include research, writing, trial and witness preparation, and attending depositions, hearings, and trials. The U.S. Attorney's Office offers placements in the following criminal divisions: • Appeals Unit: The Appeals Unit is responsible for reviewing and approving all appellate briefs before they are filed. • Anti-Terrorism and National Security Unit: The Anti-Terrorism and National Security Unit handles anti-terrorism investigations, those involving breaches of national security. • Computer Crimes Unit: Investigates and prosecutes computer related crimes, including hacking, identity theft and other forms of computer fraud. • Economic Crimes Unit: The Economic Crimes Unit handles complex economic crimes expected to require grand jury or other investigative effort. • Health Care Fraud Unit: The Health Care Fraud Unit investigates and prosecutes complex health care fraud committed by corporate and individual defendants. • Major Crimes Unit: The Major Crimes Unit handles violent crime, property crimes, fraud, theft, civil rights violations, and other matters of primary federal interest. • Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force: Drug Unit cases range from "buy/bust" prosecution to sophisticated money laundering prosecution. • Organized Crime Strike Force: The organized crime unit handles complex long term matters, utilizing extensive grand jury and electronic surveillance, often using statutes such as RICO. • Public Corruption and Special Prosecution Unit: The Public Corruption Unit handles sensitive cases involving allegations of corruption against elected and appointed federal, state, and local officials.
Important: All students must be U.S. citizens and complete a lengthy security clearance process by the Department of Justice, which involves numerous forms and fingerprinting. This process takes at least eight weeks for final clearance, which is then valid for only six months. This clearance process is not just a formality, and in some instances clearance has been significantly delayed or denied. This process is coordinated between the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs and the Human Resources department of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.