Externships

Law Practice

Students work in a nonprofit organization, governmental agency, or private sector law firm engaging in a variety of lawyering tasks under the supervision of an attorney. The emphasis of the placement is for students to acquire a range of lawyering skills with a particular focus on professionalism, ethics, and public interest lawyering.

Judicial

Students work in judicial chambers on legal research memos and judicial opinions under the supervision of judges and their postgraduate or permanent law clerks.  Externs also have the opportunity to observe court proceedings.

Student Secured

Students may secure their own judicial, public interest, or private sector externship placement. However, students seeking approval to add a new externship site must obtain preliminary approval from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or the Associate Dean for Clinics prior to submitting formal site approval paperwork. Students seeking approval of a student secured externship must provide information that demonstrates a good reason why they cannot obtain a similar experience at one of the approved sites, including expanding geographic, practice, or substantive areas.

Sufficient lead time (a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the start of the semester) must be given to complete the approval process. The approval process will include a consultation with the proposed supervisor, an assessment of the substance of the proposed work, and a written agreement with the supervisor regarding the expectations and requirements for on-site supervision and mentoring.