Law Center Internship Course Recognized by Association of Counties

An internship course at NSU’s Shepard Broad Law Center was recently recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACO), the national organization representing county governments in the U.S.

NACO presented the Broward County Consumer Protection Division two 2009 Achievement Awards for "innovative county government programs," with one of the awards presented for the NSU Law Center's Consumer Protection Law Internship course that provides students with a hands-on opportunity to resolve consumer disputes. The course, which includes instruction in local, state, and federal consumer protection law, allows for the students to be placed with Broward County Consumer Affairs and work side-by-side with agency personnel in the processing of consumer complaints. Students intake consumer complaints and work to resolve complaints through a conciliation or administrative hearing.

The course was designed by Michael Flynn, NSU professor of law, and Law Center alumna Mona Fandel ('77), Broward County Consumer Affairs director. The one-of-a-kind clinical internship includes an advanced workshop in consumer protection law taught at the law school in addition to the internship placement. There is also a pro bono aspect to the internship as services provided by the division are free to the public.

"To receive this prestigious award acknowledges the cooperative effort of NSU Law and the Broward County Consumer Protection Division to not only provide a service to citizens but a unique educational and public service opportunity for law students," said Professor Flynn, chair of the Broward County Consumer Protection Board.

The other Achievement Award was granted to Fandel's division for its PowerPoint program, "The World of Identity Theft." This program provides valuable information about a subject that affects an increasing number of consumers and provides the information in an interesting and memorable way by using cartoons from the popular film Alice in Wonderland.