Civil Practice Externship Fieldwork
Prerequisites: 1L course of study Students earn academic credit while working in approved placements across a wide range of civil practice settings including non-profit organizations, government offices and agencies, private law firms, and corporate and union in-house legal departments. Students find their own placements based on an interest in a particular practice area or opportunity to hone particular lawyering skills. At the placements, students are paired with a supervising Mentor Attorney to work on real legal matters, while receiving close supervision and regular feedback. At the law school, students are supported by faculty in a required seminar or tutorial to learn from their experience. Depending on the placement, typical activities include conducting legal or factual research, conducting client or witness interviews, drafting memoranda and other legal documents, preparing transactional documents, participating in discovery or trial preparation, attending a negotiation or court hearing, observing attorneys in a variety of lawyering activities, or discussing an experience with a Mentor Attorney. Students may also gain exposure to case management and workplace skills, client relations, and policy and institutional issues.
Grading and Method of Evaluation:
High Pass-Pass-Low Pass-No Credit. Students will be assessed based on an end-of-semester evaluation provided by the Mentor Attorney and the student's oral and written descriptions of and reflections on the fieldwork.
Enrollment Notes:
Students interested in enrolling in the Civil Practice Externship fieldwork course must read the Externship Student Manual and follow its enrollment procedures. For information on current externship opportunities, visit Symplicity. Students are limited to three externships during law school and ordinarily may not repeat a civil practice externship in the same placement. Exceptions may be made upon a showing of the educational benefit to be derived and subject to the approval of the Faculty Director.
Grading and Method of Evaluation:
High Pass-Pass-Low Pass-No Credit. Students will be assessed based on an end-of-semester evaluation provided by the Mentor Attorney and the student's oral and written descriptions of and reflections on the fieldwork.
Enrollment Notes:
Students interested in enrolling in the Civil Practice Externship fieldwork course must read the Externship Student Manual and follow its enrollment procedures. For information on current externship opportunities, visit Symplicity. Students are limited to three externships during law school and ordinarily may not repeat a civil practice externship in the same placement. Exceptions may be made upon a showing of the educational benefit to be derived and subject to the approval of the Faculty Director.