American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas (1 position)
The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas is a private, nonprofit membership organization, founded in 1969 to preserve America’s original civic values enshrined in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The ACLU of Arkansas is an affiliate to the national ACLU, and both organizations challenge governmental action that poses a threat to the civil liberties or civil rights of a group of persons. These liberties include, among others, free speech, religious freedom, racial and ethnic justice, due process, privacy, LGBT rights, reproductive freedom, voting rights, and students’ rights. The ACLU works in the courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
An extern for the ACLU of Arkansas will: (1) assist with intake of requests for assistance; (2) conduct research and write issue papers; and (3) work with the legal director to address a variety of civil rights issues, both formally and informally. During the legislative session, an extern also will have the opportunity to research proposed legislation and develop information to be used for legislative committee hearings. The ACLU of Arkansas will interview students recommended for an externship prior to final approval of the placement.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Legal Affairs Office (1 position)
Arkansas Children’s, Inc. (AC) is the only healthcare system in the state solely dedicated to caring for Arkansas’s 703,000 children. The private, non-profit organization includes two pediatric hospitals, a pediatric research institute and USDA nutrition center, a philanthropic foundation, a nursery alliance, statewide clinics, and many education and outreach programs — all focused on fulfilling a promise to define and deliver unprecedented child health. Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) is a 336-bed, Magnet-recognized facility in Little Rock operating the state’s only Level I pediatric trauma center; the state’s only burn center; the state’s only Level IV neonatal intensive care unit; the state’s only pediatric intensive care unit; the state’s only pediatric surgery program with Level 1 verification from the American College of Surgeons (ACS); the state’s only magnetoencephalography (MEG) system for neurosurgical planning and cutting-edge research; and the state’s only nationally recognized pediatric transport program. Additionally, ACH is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report in four pediatric subspecialties (2020—2021): Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Nephrology, Pulmonology, and Urology. ACH is one of only five hospitals in the nation that have achieved Magnet Status, ACS Level 1 verification and a Beacon award from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. ACH is academically affiliated with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). The Department of Pediatrics of UAMS is physically located on the hospital’s campus. ACH staff consists of more than 505 physicians, 200 residents, and 4,400 support staff.
Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW), the first and only pediatric hospital in the Northwest Arkansas region, opened in Springdale in early 2018. ACNW operates a 24-bed inpatient unit; a surgical unit with five operating rooms; outpatient clinics offering over 20 subspecialties; diagnostic services; imaging capabilities; occupational therapy services; and Northwest Arkansas’s only pediatric emergency department, equipped with 30 exam rooms. Generous philanthropic and volunteer engagement has sustained Arkansas Children’s since it began as an orphanage in 1912, and today ensures the system can fundamentally transform the health of children in Arkansas and beyond.
An extern for Arkansas Children’s will work directly with lawyers in the Legal Affairs department, as well as the EVP, Chief Legal Officer, on legal issues affecting its hospitals, clinics, foundation, medical group, clinically integrated network, and research institute. The extern will: (1) assist with requests by AC constituents for legal assistance; (2) conduct legal research and analysis and write memoranda of law; (3) review, draft, and revise contracts; (4) engage in AC’s enterprise risk management and compliance efforts; and (5) depending on the extern’s schedule, attend meetings with lawyers in the department, the Vice President & General Counsel, and the Chief Legal Officer. Students applying for this position should possess an interest in health law, strong research and writing skills, and the ability to work independently. Completion of the course in Business Associations is preferred but not required. The Vice President & General Counsel will interview students recommended for an externship prior to final approval of the placement. This position is located at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. Because this position is located in a hospital environment, the student selected for this externship is required to have a current flu and COVID-19 vaccination, take a tuberculosis test, and pass a criminal background check. Other health and safety requirements are available upon request.
CARTI Office of General Counsel (1 position)
CARTI is an independent, not-for-profit cancer care provider. CARTI currently has 18 locations throughout Arkansas offering medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, and advanced imaging and screening procedures. Through its network of cancer treatment centers, CARTI provides patients with convenient access to leading-edge cancer treatment. CARTI strives to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care and to improve care through education and research, transforming the way cancer care is delivered.
CARTI’s Office of General Counsel reviews all vendor or supplier contracts; reviews all physician employment, affiliation, nondisclosure, and professional services agreements; responds to probate, garnishment, and bankruptcy pleadings as needed; assists Human Resources with employee issues; and works with the Executive team on strategic initiatives.
An extern at CARTI will work under the supervision of the general counsel and will be involved in reviewing contracts, responding to probate filings, and assisting with legal research on regulatory compliance issues. The extern will gain experience in contract review, healthcare operations, employment law, and probate proceedings. Prior healthcare or accounting experience would be helpful, but it is not required. CARTI will interview students recommended for an externship prior to placement.
CARTI Revenue Integrity Department (1 position)
CARTI is an independent, not-for-profit cancer care provider. Based in Little Rock at the CARTI Cancer Center, CARTI currently has 18 locations throughout Arkansas offering medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, and advanced imaging and screening procedures. Through its network of cancer treatment centers, CARTI provides patients with convenient access to leading-edge cancer treatment. CARTI strives to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care and to improve care through education and research, transforming the way cancer care is delivered.
One of the primary tasks of the CARTI Revenue Integrity Department is to appeal insurance denials and adverse authorization determinations, relieving patients of that burden. In doing so, the department draws on diligent research and a thorough understanding of insurance company policies, applicable contracts, Arkansas law and Arkansas Insurance Department regulation, ERISA law and regulation, Medicare/Medicaid regulation and guidance, and other resources as needed. Additionally, the broad scope of that work has implications throughout the organization: the department reviews and negotiates payer contracts, analyzes data related to denials and reimbursements, responds to audits from regulatory agencies, and uses legal research and resources to improve the way the organization addresses these challenges. While much of this work occurs “behind the scenes,” Revenue Integrity is a front-facing department that routinely interacts with patients to address their concerns and advocate on their behalf.
An extern at CARTI will be involved in all of the above tasks, with the majority of the work consisting of researching denials and drafting appeals. The extern will gain experience in many areas of legal practice, including contracts, appeals, healthcare, finance, insurance, and administrative law. Prior work experience in a healthcare setting would be helpful, but it is not required. CARTI will interview students recommended for an externship prior to final approval of the placement.
Center for Arkansas Legal Services (1 position)
The Center for Arkansas Legal Services (CALS) is a nonprofit organization that provides legal services to low-income Arkansans in civil cases. CALS focuses on matters involving family law, housing law (landlord-tenant), domestic relations, consumer law, and public benefits law. The attorneys and advocates at CALS assist clients depending on each client’s unique situation.
An extern at CALS will work directly with the attorneys in the office, assisting them in drafting pleadings, performing legal research, interviewing clients, investigating cases, and preparing for trials. An extern also will have the opportunity to attend and observe courtroom proceedings. Strong research ability, people skills, initiative, and a commitment to equal access to justice are required. The staff of CALS will interview students recommended for an externship prior to final approval of the placement.
Community Legal Access (1 position)
Community Legal Access (CLA) is a 501(c)(3) qualified nonprofit corporation serving the State of Arkansas. Its purpose is to make affordable legal services available to lower and moderate income people who may be ineligible for free services through Legal Aid and other such entities. Clients are paired with licensed Arkansas attorneys on its Modest Means Panel based upon their individual needs and location within the state. More information can be found at communitylegalaccess.org.
An extern with CLA will work directly with Executive Director Tony Mansell and have regular contact with its board members. An extern’s duties will include but are not limited to:
- intake of potential new client requests;
- pairing new clients with the appropriate attorney;
- reaching out to new attorneys to add to its panel;
- researching areas of Arkansas and assessing legal needs;
- and maintaining social media and website pages.
We hope to find someone who is a self-starter, has strong people skills, ambition, and a commitment to serving others. CLA will interview students recommended for the externship prior to final approval of the placement.
Medical-Legal Partnership, Legal Aid of Arkansas (1 position)
Legal Aid of Arkansas is a public interest, not-for-profit law firm dedicated to assuring equal access to justice in civil matters for low-income Arkansans. It is a recognized national leader in the deployment of innovative service models, with Medical-Legal Partnerships (MLPs) in rural community health centers, at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and with community mental health agencies. Legal Aid of Arkansas cultivates corporate and pro bono commitments to the MLPs and leverages the power of MLPs to effect meaningful change for its clients. Legal Aid of Arkansas seeks an extern for its Arkansas Children’s Hospital office in Little Rock. Primary duties will include research, legal writing, drafting court documents and client correspondence, and providing assistance to attorneys throughout a wide range of client representation. The successful candidate should have strong legal research skills, the ability to write memos and other documents that are clear and concise with respect to relevant information, and efficient attention to details. Must have pleasant, compassionate interpersonal skills dealing with diverse people of varying backgrounds. Most importantly, a successful candidate must be a team player and flexible in their ability to shift with changing priorities while still accountable for deadlines. A good sense of humor is a plus!
The MLP extern will be provided with a comprehensive view into the issues faced by low-income patients treated by the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Network and their families. They will be integral to the daily operations of the ACH office and will experience first-hand the role of public service attorneys in addressing legal needs and developing and implementing poverty-fighting strategies. The MLP extern may assist attorneys in preparation for hearings, education conferences, administrative law proceedings, and other legal proceedings, and they may attend such proceedings.
The MLP extern will interact with clients, medical care providers, and members of the general public. They may also assist with initial screening of potential clients, case initiation and management, and ongoing communication and correspondence with existing clients, court clerks, and staff. All MLP staff and personnel are expected to be professional and courteous when representing the office in any capacity.
The position will be embedded at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. Interest in the public service law sector and completion of a previous legal clerkship/externship/internship is desired. The MLP staff will interview students recommended for an externship prior to final approval of the placement.
National Center for State Courts, Center for Judicial Ethics (1 position)
The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) promotes the rule of law and improves the administration of justice in state courts and courts around the world. Established by Chief Justice Warren Burger in 1971, NCSC has shared authoritative knowledge and expertise to address current and emerging issues and trends in state court administration. NCSC’s mission springs logically from its original purpose to gather information and produce innovations to benefit all courts. NCSC is an independent, non-profit organization. Resources include webinars, on-site or remote technical assistance, education and training, and direct consulting.
The Center for Judicial Ethics (CJE) is part of the NCSC. CJE is a leader in state court judicial ethics best practices training, consulting projects, and materials on judicial ethics. The Director also acts as a liaison to all the U.S. state Chief Justices as well as some foreign judiciaries. The CJE is a liaison to the International Bar Association, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and other international legal organizations.
CJE has special access to top policy matters in U.S. state court jurisprudence. NCSC has unique access with collaborative relationships with the Conference of Chief Justices, Conference of State Court Administrators, the Association of Judicial Disciplinary Counsel, and other associations of judicial leaders.
Assigned externship students would work with the Director of the Center for Judicial Ethics – David J. Sachar – who has an office at Bowen and is a 1994 Bowen graduate. Projects would include:
- research on judicial ethics subjects (recusal, conflicts of interest, improper judicial demeanor, public financial disclosure, etc.);
- creating training videos for judges and judicial conduct commission members and staff;
- research and prep for the CJE meetings with chief justices on amicus briefs to be filed before the United States Supreme Court on matters that affect state court administration of justice;
- and research and prep for the CJE meetings with chief justices on the professionalism committee. This committee reviews bar admission standards, proposed new bar exams, as well as ethical standards for state judiciaries and practicing attorneys.
Mr. Sachar will interview applicants prior to final approval of an externship placement.
