Post on 27-May-2015
transcript
What is the BCP Summer Law Clerk Program?
The opportunity to:• Work in public
service• Gain practical legal
research and writing experience
• Acquire practical lawyering and litigation skills
• Learn about your consumer rights
• Experience administrative law first-hand
• Enjoy all that the Nation’s Capital has to offer
What does the Bureau of Consumer Protection do, anyway?
We work to protect YOU and millions of other consumers from:
Internet, direct mail, and telemarketing fraud Invasions of your informational privacy Deceptive advertising Predatory and discriminatory lending Unfair business practices
and SO MUCH MORE!
What is so special about the Bureau of Consumer Protection?
• Bright, dedicated attorneys, economists, and investigators who are passionate about helping consumers
• Diverse law enforcement and regulatory mandates
• A dynamic role in making public policy
• Enforcing statutes that impact every consumer in the U.S. every day of the year
• A TRULY collegial work environment
What do BCP Summer Law Clerks Do?
Work directly with attorneys and investigators on:
• Litigation (district court and administrative)
• Investigation
• Public Policy Matters
BCP Summer Law Clerks:
Perform legal researchDraft research memoranda and
administrative and court pleadingsInterview consumers and draft affidavitsAttend Commission meetings, workshops,
hearings, depositions, negotiations, and strategy sessions
Special Training Programs
Our Summer Law
Clerk Training
Programs provide
the opportunity
to acquire practical
lawyering skills
Special Training Programs
BCP Law Clerks
participate in:• Deposition training
and exercise• BCP “hot topics”
series
Deposition Training
• Mini-workshop led by experienced BCP litigators on conducting and defending a deposition
• Opportunity to conduct a mock deposition with BCP attorneys acting as moderators
• Group feedback session with BCP attorney defending your deposition
BCP “Hot-Topics” Series
• A series of mini-workshops designed to familiarize law clerks with the work of each of BCP’s six divisions
• Opportunities to discuss the issues with lead attorneys and staff in an informal environment
ALL of the SMART people do it.
Seinfeld
SongLyricsFRCPs
Your brain before a BCP Summer Clerkship
Your brain after a BCP Summer Clerkship
Legal Skills
ConsumerstatutesSocial/WorkskillsFRCPs
Our location is IDEAL. . .
The Federal Trade Commission is located at 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, and at 601 New Jersey Avenue. Just steps from:
• The Capitol, White House, Washington Monument, Supreme Court, and Library of Congress
• The Museums of the Smithsonian Institution• Theaters, Restaurants, Union Station, and the MCI
Center (home to the Washington Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics)
• METRO (D.C.’s excellent subway system)
Spending your summer at BCP is just more fun
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100
fun percentage
other gov't agencylaw firmBCP
Bureau of Consumer Protection
BCP Summer Law Clerks are assigned to one of BCP’s six divisions for the entire summer
Division of Advertising Practices Division of Enforcement Division of Financial Practices Division of Marketing Practices Division of Planning and Information Division of International Consumer Protection
Division of Advertising Practices
Protects consumers from deceptive and unsubstantiated advertising, ranging fromInternet advertising to Infomercials toFortune 500
companies' advertising
stays on top of privacy issues, especially children's privacy online
confronts novel First Amendment issues
Division of Enforcement• Monitors compliance with
Commission cease and desist orders and federal court injunctive orders
• Investigates violations of consumer protection laws and litigates before ALJs or U.S. District Courts
• Enforces trade laws, rules and guides through administrative or federal court proceedings
Recent Accomplishments:• Obtained TROs against
companies that misrepresented the availability of Postal and Wildlife Job Opportunities
• Obtained a multi-million dollar settlement from Triad Discount Buying Service, Inc. for allegedly deceptive buying club memberships.
• Settled care labeling violations with Jones Apparel Group.
• Settled charges with several companies for unsubstantiated engine treatment product claims.
Division of Financial Practices
Protecting online and financial privacy
Investigating subprime and predatory lending practices
Challenging lending discriminationRegulating credit bureaus, debt
collectors, and non-bank lenders
Division of Marketing Practices
Leads the Commission’s response to fraud, including: Internet and
telecommunications scams Telemarketing & direct mail
fraud Deceptive spam e-mail Fraudulent business and
work-at-home opportunities Fraudulent investment
opportunities
Through a state-of-the-art Internet lab, attorneys and investigators unravel sophisticated “technology fraud”and find wrong-
doers who are deceiving unsuspecting consumers
The Division of Planning and Information
• Collects and analyzes consumer complaint information to further all aspects of the Bureau’s mission.
• Coordinates the toll-free ID Theft Hotline and the nation’s Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse.
• Provides information and assistance to victims of identity theft.
• Partners with law enforcement nationwide to help combat ID theft.
• Conducts outreach to industry and law enforcement on ID theft matters and promotes consumer and business education initiatives.
• Assists and advices the other BCP divisions on cases involving the bankruptcy of a target company and other issues.
The Division of International Consumer Protection
• Coordinates the FTC's international consumer protection work by:Combating cross-border fraud
We facilitate international information sharing among consumer protection law enforcement;
We assist staff in litigation with an international component
Developing international e-commerce and consumer protection policies, primarily in the areas of jurisdiction, privacy and security
What have previous Law Clerks said about the program?
“I get to do what I want to do later in life - dealing with new technologies. . . . This is a fun place to work; [it provides] the ability to learn a great deal about the future of the Internet.” Robert Stein, 2L, law clerk (Summer 2000)
“Every one here loves their job. The attorneys are incredibly passionate about helping consumers and they are excited to share that passion with the law clerks.” Heather Garms, 1L clerk (Summer 2001)
What have previous Law Clerks said about the program?
“I know that what I am doing really makes a difference for consumers. It is exciting to have the ability to make that kind of impact.” Aaron Tax, 2L law clerk (Summer 2002)
“If you are looking for an unique opportunity for a fun and challenging learning experience, then the [BCP Summer Law Clerk] program is a great place to apply.” Michael Lohnes, 1L law clerk (Summer 2002)
Selection Procedures and Criteria
Admission to the
Program is competitive.
We select approximately
12 first and second year
law students from top
law schools across the
country.
Selection Procedures and Criteria
Selections are based upon:
• Interview
• Enthusiasm for regulatory/consumer protection issues
• Previous work experience
• Grades
• Writing sample
Apply Now!—Don’t Wait!
• Second year law students may apply as soon as possible after August 15. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis.
• Selections for 2L law clerk positions will take place on a rolling basis through November.
• First year law students may apply as soon as possible after December 1. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis.
• Selections for 1L law clerk positions will take place on a rolling basis through March.
Apply Now!—Don’t Wait!
Send:
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Writing Sample
• Transcript
To:BCP Summer Law Clerk
Committee
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
H-286
Washington, DC 20580
202-326-3392 (fax)