Leech Tishman Litigation Counsel James K. Paulick Oversees Program
PITTSBURGH, PA – October 1, 2020- Leech Tishman is pleased to announce the firm’s participation in Duquesne University’s Private-Sector Externship Program. Coordinated by the University’s Tribone Center for Clinical Legal Education, the externship program enables students to earn academic credit while working at a law firm in a pro bono capacity, allowing them to gain practical experience and attentive training.
Litigation Counsel James K. Paulick is overseeing the extern program at Leech Tishman, collaborating with the Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania to provide up-to-date research and briefs. Paulick is currently supervising two externs from the program who are focusing on federal criminal defense matters and working on court-appointed compassionate release cases.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal prison inmates are increasingly petitioning the Bureau of Prisons for compassionate release. The externship placement offers students a unique opportunity to help represent criminal defendants in the federal justice system. The extern students’ duties include performing legal research and analysis; interviewing and consulting interested parties; reviewing records and developing compassionate release plans; and preparing motions and petitions.
“This program is a great opportunity for these students to gain in-depth understanding of this area of law,” Paulick said. “Most of all, it will greatly support these prisoners in their petitions regarding compassionate release.”
About the Duquesne University Private-Sector Externship Program
The externship program permits students to earn academic credit while working at a law firm or in an in-house counsel legal department. The externship offering enhances a strong academic tradition by incorporating real-world experiential learning into the curriculum to cultivate skilled and knowledgeable students ready to join the workforce with the competencies, learning, and professionalism to excel.
About the Tribone Center for Clinical Legal Education
Duquesne’s Tribone Center for Clinical Legal Education is comprised of community-focused clinics as well as externship opportunities, a pro bono program and fellowships, all of which provide student attorneys hands-on client experiences and the opportunity to serve the public while earning credit. For more information about the Tribone Center, please visit: https://duq.edu/academics/schools/law/clinics-and-externships/tribone-center-for-clinical-legal-education.
About Leech Tishman
Leech Tishman Fuscaldo & Lampl is a full-service law firm dedicated to assisting individuals, businesses, and institutions. Leech Tishman offers legal services in alternative dispute resolution, aviation & aerospace, bankruptcy & creditors’ rights, cannabis, construction, corporate, data privacy & cybersecurity, employee benefits, employment, energy, environmental, estates & trusts, family law, government relations, immigration, insurance coverage, intellectual property, international legal matters, litigation, real estate, and taxation. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, Leech Tishman also has offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Sarasota and Wilmington, DE.