The United States Embassy in Luxembourg is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for the Dean Acheson Legal Stage (traineeship/internship) Program in Luxembourg at the Court of Justice of the European Union for 2020-2021. These stage opportunities for periods of not more than three months are offered to a limited number of students or recent graduates from select U.S. law schools. Applications must be received by the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg by April 1, 2020.

2020-2021 Dean Acheson Stage Application

Available Stage Periods at the European Court

There are two possible Dean Acheson Legal Stage periods for 2020-2021:

• Fall Term (mid-September to mid-December) less than 90 days
• Spring Term (mid-February to mid-May) less than 90 days

Some flexibility regarding dates may be possible at the discretion of the Judge or Advocate General to whom the Dean Acheson stagiaire is attached. Exact dates will be determined by the calendar of the Court. The maximum stage period is three months due to Luxembourg visa requirements for non-EU citizens.

Categories of Dean Acheson Legal Stage

Three types of stage are available:

1. With a Judge of the Court of Justice

The Dean Acheson stagiaire works in the Chambers of a Judge of the Court of Justice in association with his or her referendaires (law clerks). The stagiaire is expected to assist the Judge and his or her referendaires as required. This experience offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain insight into a judicial process characteristic of the European Court, but very different from the American approach, involving a high degree of intellectual teamwork. Strong French language skills are essential.

2. With an Advocate General of the Court of Justice

The Dean Acheson stagiaire works in the Chambers of an Advocate General of the Court of Justice in association with his or her referendaires. The stagiaire takes part in the research and writing of the Advocate General’s opinions, an experience most akin to a traditional U.S. judicial clerking experience. Advocates General prepare their opinions in their native language. The stagiaire therefore needs to have the language skills appropriate to the Advocate General who selects him or her. A reading knowledge of French is required.

3. With a Judge of the General Court

The Dean Acheson stagiaire works in the Chambers of a Judge of the General Court in association with his or her referendaires (law clerks). The stagaire is expected to assist the Judge and his or her referendaires as needed. The tasks are varied and include case law research, scholarly writings analysis, brief production, and issue discussions. The cases mainly concern applications by legal or natural persons against EU actions or inactions. Strong French language skills are an advantage.

Eligibility Requirements

The purpose of the Dean Acheson Legal Stage Program is to promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and the European Union in the context of the legal profession. It is therefore open to American citizens and legal permanent residents only. Priority will be given to applicants who have completed three years of law school and who have a strong knowledge of Community Law. As noted above, some knowledge of French is required, varying with the type of stage. Knowledge of an EU language other than French and English is an advantage, and generally necessary for a stage with an Advocate General.

Application Procedure

Applications must include a completed application form and graduate and undergraduate transcripts.

All applications must be submitted to each the Office of Transnational Programs for review. After initial screening, OTP will forward via email a maximum of three (3) endorsed applications to the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg.

After review, the Embassy will forward approved application materials to the Court of Justice for review and circulation among the Judges and Advocates General, according to the applicant’s stated preferences.

Individual Judges and Advocates General will select Dean Acheson stagiaires from the lists submitted and the European Court of Justice will notify the Embassy and the applicants of their selection by the end of July.

Financial Assistance

No U.S. Government funds are available to assist applicants chosen for Dean Acheson Legal stages. Dean Acheson stages are unpaid, and the European Court of Justice does not make any funds available to support Dean Acheson stagiaires. Dean Acheson stagiaires are responsible for the full cost of their transportation, room and board while participating in the Dean Acheson stage program.

Participating Schools 2020-21

American University

Arizona State University

Boston University

Columbia University

Cornell University

Duke University

Fordham University

Georgetown University

George Washington University

Harvard University

New York University

Northwestern University

Seton Hall University

Stanford University

Southern Methodist University

University of Alabama

University of California – Berkeley

University of California – Los Angeles

University of Chicago

University of Connecticut

University of Illinois

University of Michigan

University of Minnesota

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh

University of Southern California

University of Texas at Austin

University of Virginia

Vanderbilt University

Washington University in St. Louis

West Virginia University

Yale University

Inquiries

Note: Please address all questions to the Office of Transnational Programs first (202-662-9860).

Questions concerning this program may be addressed to:

Public Affairs Office
U.S. Embassy Luxembourg
Tel. +352 46 01 23 27