The University of Montana School of Law

U.S. Department Of Justice

Faculty Supervisor:
Professor Jordan Gross
406.243.2559
jordan.gross@umontana.edu

Placement in this clinic requires an extensive background check and security clearance. The security clearance application process begins approximately three (3) months prior to the start of semester in which the student is enrolled. If you have any questions about the federal security clearance process, you should speak with Geri Fox before making your clinic selection.

There are two placement categories in this office: (1) General criminal and (2) Environmental Crimes. The two placement categories have different supervising attorneys, different prerequisites, and different assignments, as set forth below.

1. General Criminal
Supervising Attorneys: Kris McLean, Tim Racicot, Cyndee Peterson, Tara Elliott

4 Credits Per Semester Academic Year Only

Prerequisite:

Professional Responsibility (effective for all classes entering Fall 2011 and thereafter)

Co- or Prerequisite:

Criminal Procedure, effective Fall 2012

Areas of Law: Federal Criminal and Regulatory Law (primary); May include some Civil Law

Lawyering Skills: Litigation; Research and writing; Negotiation; Communication

Sample Projects: Appear in court; Communicate and negotiate with defense counsel and pro se defendants; Interview witnesses Perform legal research; Draft motions.

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana has offices in Billings, Great Falls, Helena, Butte, and Missoula. The Missoula office is responsible for criminal cases prosecuted by the United States in the Missoula, Helena, Butte and Great Falls Divisions of the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.

Assignments may include appearances (initial appearances and detention hearings) and trials involving misdemeanor offenses on federal lands before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, research and pretrial briefing for criminal cases, and research and brief writing for appeals before the Ninth Circuit. The AUSAs in Missoula handle a variety of cases, including offenses involving drugs, firearms, fraud, violent crime, child pornography, and immigration.

2. Environmental Crimes Section
Supervising Attorney: Robert Anderson

4 Credits Per Semester Academic Year Only

Satisfies the Environmental/ Natural Resource Law Certificate Requirement.

Prerequisite:

Professional Responsibility (effective for all classes entering Fall 2011 and thereafter)
Introduction to Environmental Law, effective Fall 2012.

Co- or Prerequisite:

Criminal Procedure, effective Fall 2012

Areas of Law: Federal Environmental and Wildlife Criminal and Regulatory Law (primary); May include some Civil Law

Robert Anderson from the Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice prosecutes federal criminal cases (in Montana and other federal district courts) involving violations of wildlife and pollution laws like the Endangered Species Act, the Lacey Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Clean Air Act. Many cases arise from long-term undercover investigations of criminal syndicates engaged in organized illegal international trafficking in protected wildlife species. Students working with Mr. Anderson will primarily assist with research and writing.