Laura Belkner

Legal Intern

May 2012 to May 2012

Assists in all aspects of employment discrimination litigation. Participates in mediation and trial preparations including the drafting of motions, discovery requests, and complaints. Performs complex legal research. Prepares deposition outlines and assists in interviewing potential clients for the plaintiff-oriented firm.

Legal Intern

September 2011 to November 2011

Investigated and drafted memoranda on facts and charges surrounding alleged NYPD employee misconduct and corruption. Assisted in the internal processing of disciplinary cases and administrative trials. Provided assistance with internal disciplinary case negotiations.

Mediator

September 2011 to November 2011

New York, NY, Mediator, Fall 2011
Mediated all aspects of matrimonial cases, with a focus on child custody issues. The cases were referred from New York State Supreme Court through the Office of Court Administration. Drafted settlement agreements and file divorce papers.

Legal Intern

June 2011 to August 2011

Assisted low-income tenants in all aspects of nonpayment and holdover proceedings. Interviewed clients, composed affidavits on their behalf, and crafted applications to charitable organizations for money to pay clients' rent arrears. Prepared subpoenas and FOIL requests. Filed applications for rent reductions based on decreased services with the DHCR, and educated tenants about nonpayment proceedings. Researched creative defenses to holdover petitions and wrote a motion to dismiss for failure to state a cause of action. Researched and wrote memoranda on New York City zoning laws.

Legal Intern, Immigration Law Externship Clinic

September 2010 to November 2010

Counseled French-speaking clients on their asylum applications based on domestic violence experienced in their home countries and helped write a memorandum of law on how women who experienced domestic violence in their home countries make up a cognizable social group worthy of asylum, and that the late filing should be overcome due to extraordinary circumstances. Also assisted in cancelation of removal proceedings.

Judicial Intern

June 2010 to August 2010

Researched and drafted memoranda on family law issues concerning persons in need of supervision and child delinquency. Updated law for Judge Elkin's series New York Law of Domestic Violence. Observed fact finding and dispositional hearings on PINS, domestic violence, and child delinquency matters.