ZSR Recruiting: Summer Associate Assignments

Nature of Our Practice

Associates at the Firm

Summer Associate Assignments

• Outline arguments in response to a motion to dismiss in a claim charging fraudulent inducement, business tort, and a private cause of action under the Federal Aviation Act.

• Research the doctrine of state secrets as it applies to a contract with a government agency engaged in covert operations.

• Draft a letter to a foreign government ministry seeking information on steps to be taken to begin airline operations in that country.

• Research the law in Virginia on the renewal of judgments after their expiration, and their enforceability thereafter.

• Research the case law on the need to consolidate multiple employment discrimination claims filed by the same plaintiff against a single employer.

• Investigate (with interviews of the complainant and witnesses) the basis for a claim of employment discrimination.

• Research and write a memorandum on the Department of Transportation's decisions regarding the citizenship requirements for owning an air carrier operating in the U.S.

• Draft a memorandum in support of a motion to dismiss an employment discrimination claim.

• Research and draft a memorandum discussing the circumstances under which an employee's tortious conduct is considered to be within the scope of employment, and whether the employer can be held liable for negligent supervision of its employee.

• Discuss whether the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution requires a state to recognize the vehicle identification number statute of another state.

• Analyze the elements to be considered by the Department of Transportation in deciding to grant antitrust immunity to an airline alliance.

• Review the laws of several states on the toxic packaging of products in those states.

• Research the relative scope of regulatory jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms over the transportation and storage of explosives.

• Research the rights of a creditor in bankruptcy to recover the property of the debtor without a court's intervention.

• Attend a hearing on the Federal Trade Commission's use of industry guides, and draft a report to clients on the FTC's regulatory reform program.

• Research whether recovery of worker's compensation benefits by a federal employee under the Federal Employees Compensation Act precludes that employee from pursuing a claim for employment discrimination.

• Research how religious donations would be taxed in light of the Supreme Court's overruling of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and subsequent legislation.

• Research the applicability of the attorney work product rule under Florida law.

• Prepare opposing arguments in preparation for mediation in a Civil False Claims Act case.

• Research Alaska state court procedural rules regarding tax protests.

• Research and write a memorandum discussing whether an auditor may be sued by a third party for libel regarding statements made in an audit.

• Prepare an application for exemption for an international air carrier.

• Research a consignor's right to receive proceeds from consigned goods under the Uniform Commercial Code where the consignee files for bankruptcy.

• Update Department of Transportation requirements for foreign ownership of U.S. airlines.

• Prepare a motion to dismiss in a case filed in state court by two Cuban human rights organizations that allege violations of international conventions.

• Research and prepare a memorandum explaining whether the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act provides a private cause of action.

• Review National Transportation Safety Board decisions regarding requirements for documentation of aircraft maintenance records.

• Determine the scope of the National Transportation Safety Board's ability to use its emergency power to revoke airworthiness certificates.

• Research and write a memorandum regarding the Department of Transportation's treatment of foreign ownership requirements in cases of foreign airline privatization.

• Research fines imposed by the Federal Aviation Authority on helicopter operators and the process for appeal of those fines.

• Prepare a Supplemental Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion to Dismiss in an employment discrimination case.

• Research the requirements for sufficiency of service on a registered agent under District of Columbia law.

• Research the requirements under California law for proper service of process on a trust.

• Prepare a trademark application for an international airfreight transportation company.

• Research federal funding received by Amtrak and Amtrak's possible status as a government entity.

• Summarize federal contractor debarment regulations.

• Research and write a memorandum analyzing the Surface Transportation Board's authority to impose post-merger conditions on applicants in a railroad merger proceeding.

• Survey state corporate law regarding discriminatory treatment of shareholder agents vs. non-shareholder agents.

• Research and write a memorandum explaining tax implications of constructive dividends.

• Compare New York, California, Florida and District of Columbia statutory provisions relating to unincorporated associations.

• Review the accuracy of a Los Angeles religious organization property tax exemption survey.

• Research and prepare a memorandum analyzing Uniform Commercial Code requirements for notice of breach of warranty under Florida law.

• Research the Alien Tort Claims Act and self-executing treaty case law and prepare a memorandum evaluating the applicability of both in a case filed in state court by two Cuban human rights organizations that allege violations of international conventions.

• Report on the substance and status of friendship treaties between Sweden and Russia.

• Assist in drafting arbitration opinion in a railroad dispute.

• Research whether the power to administer leasing regulations under 49 CFR 376 is now vested in the FMCSA.

• Research whether discovery is permitted in railroad oversight proceedings.

• Research whether under the ADA a retail establishment must provide interpretation services for deaf customers.

• Research whether California law permits a city to include a clause in a contract preventing the contracting party from pursuing injunctive relief.

• Analyze whether, and to what extent, punitive damages are allowable in fraud, tortious interference and business conspiracy claims under Florida law.

• Analyze international safety assessment materials for business development presentation.

• Draft a memorandum analyzing whether a Virginia corporation can be exposed to possible dissolution for ultra vires actions in violation of its corporate articles if the corporation is stripped of its not-for-profit status by the IRS.

• Prepare an analysis of the effect of EPA water quality regulations on a chemical manufacturer’s operations.

• Under Surface Transportation Board precedents, research whether the presence of a second competitor with the ability to serve a coal plant operates as a competitive restraint even if the second competitor does not transport coal.

• Prepare a memorandum outlining the scope of discovery in a New York arbitration.

• Draft responsive pleadings in a Surface Transportation Board proceeding.

• Analyze the Federal Court interpretation of the Copperwell Doctrine.

• Assist in preparation of article for the Journal of Transportation Law.

• Prepare a memorandum regarding the current status of the embargo against Iran.