To apply, please fill out this online form, or, alternatively, print out this PDF version and mail it to our New York address.
The trainee program at DeOrchis & Partners, LLP, has been successfully operating for more than 25 years. It has permitted over 80 foreign lawyers (and a few P&I Club claims handlers) with an opportunity to observe firsthand the practices of maritime and transportation law. The trainees have come from more than 16 countries including the United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Greece, Guatemala, Mexico and Israel.
The goal of our program is to provide trainees with a practical and realistic exposure to the operation of a litigation firm specializing in maritime and transportation laws. The program allows trainees to work side-by side with all of the lawyers in our office in much the same way as a new associate attorney. Trainees are taught how to perform legal research under the American Common Law system, including computerized research on Lexis. Trainees are also involved in investigation and factual research including analysis of documents and files. On occasion, there is an opportunity to assist in on-board ship inspections, at local or distant ports.
Trainees are encouraged to accompany lawyers to court for hearings, motions, trials and appeals. They are also invited to attend arbitration proceedings and mediations. Trainees are expected to assist the trial attorney wherever possible. We also arrange, when possible, for trainees to attend client meetings and negotiations with opposing lawyers and to sit in on strategy discussions.
Emphasis is placed on speaking and writing proper English. Consequently, trainees are normally required to draft letters, memos, legal pleadings, opinions, and reports.
Informal lectures are given from time to time by the legal staff on various subjects including evidence, procedure, jurisdiction and substantive laws. Trainees are also encouraged to learn about law firm management by participating in the general activities of the firm, including assistance to the managing attorney, library, accounting and filing departments.
All trainees are encouraged to attend legal forums and seminars outside the office, including those given by the Maritime Law Association, The Society of Maritime Arbitrators, and the Marine Insurance Claims Association. Furthermore, on a social level, trainees are invited to firm outings including various lunches and dinners; attend theater and sport functions, or simply grab a beer after work.
Period of Program
To accommodate the number of applicants to our trainee program, the period of the program is limited to three to six months. On occasion, in order to accommodate the number of applications, the period of the program may need to be limited to less than four months. Trainees may elect to stay for a period shorter than the full program length. The firm tries to limit the total number of trainees at any time to a maximum of 2 or 3 so as to insure that each trainee has the maximum exposure and attention of the firm and its resources.
Requirements for Application to the Program
- Applicants should have graduated from a law school outside the United States. Foreign students presently attending a law school outside the United States, or pursuing a Master of Law program in the United States, are also accepted in the program.
- Applicants must have an interest in maritime and transportation law, which can be established either through taking courses in maritime or transportation law, or by working for a law firm or company whose business is in the maritime or transportation field.
- Alternatively, the applicant must provide a letter of recommendation from an individual in the maritime or transportation field.
- Applicants must intend to return abroad after completing the Trainee Program.
- Applicants must obtain a proper visa for the period of the program.
Visa for the United States of America
Before entering the U.S. you are advised to obtain a visa for your stay in the country. We strongly recommend you to obtain an exchange visitor (J-1) visa or another appropriate visa for your training period, other than a tourist visa waiver.
Please be advised that we cannot issue visas for the applicants. You must contact an organization authorized to issue visas for exchange visitors (J-1). The applications for J-1 visas must be filed with the appropriate authorities approximately three months prior to starting an internship program.
To obtain a J-1 visa you have to contact the American Embassy in your home country for basic information on the procedure to obtain a proper Visa.
We recommend you contact Interexchange for your visa application. We have been using them for several years and they are fast and effective. You should contact them approximately three months prior to starting an internship program. You can find additional information about Visas on the Inter Exchange web site in the “Career Training USA” Section:
You can also contact the American Bar Association which runs a program called the International Legal Exchange Program (ILEX). The American Bar Association can give you advice about the visa and provide you with the documents you need for your visa application.
Insurance and Living Arrangements
All health, dental and life insurance must be obtained independently by the trainee and cannot be provided by the firm. Unfortunately no health coverage can be provided through the office.
Trainees are responsible for making their own arrangements to obtain an apartment or living quarters. It is recommended that applicants speak with existing trainees in our office to get suggestions on living arrangements in New York. There are local newspapers, like the Village Voice, which provide weekly listings of apartments for rent or to share. Please be aware that New York is a relatively expensive place to live, and even a shared apartment can cost over $1000 per month. Many listings can also be found at the following website:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/
We suggest that new trainees arrive in New York a few days before they start with our office so as to have the necessary time to become familiar with the City and search for an apartment. You may want to consider staying at the following places on a weekly rental arrangement until an apartment is located:
Men:
Vanderbilt YMCA
224 E 47th Street (2nd Ave.)
New York, New York 10017
Phone: 212-756-9600
Kolping New York
165 EAST 88 Street
New York, N.Y. 10128
Phone: 212 369 6647
http://www.kolpingny.org/
Women:
Webster Apartments
419 W. 34th Street (9th and 10th Ave.)
New York, New York 10001
Phone: 212-967-9000
http://www.websterapartments.org/
Chelsmore Apartments
205 West 15th Street
New York, NY 10011
Phone: (212) 924-7991
http://www.chelsmore.com/
To apply or to request additional information, please send an e-mail with as subject “Your Name – DeOrchis & Partners, LLP – Trainee Program” attaching your resume to:
Vincent M. DeOrchis: vdeorchis@marinelex.com
Kaspar Kielland: kkielland@marinelex.com
