Legal Clinics > Externship Program

Judicial Externship Program

The Judicial Law Externship serves as a vehicle by which 3L students learn the application of professional responsibility; the importance of professional ethics; and the practice of law from sitting Judges.  The practicum component educates students by affording them the opportunity to learn the legal process and the importance of each of the processes from the unique perspective of a sitting state trial; federal trial; federal bankruptcy or appellate judge.  While student assignments vary, it is expected that during this externship experience students will be tasked with researching legal issues; evaluating legal arguments; reviewing motions calendars; writing judicial memoranda; drafting opinions and orders; and observing trials. 

The practicum provides three (3) credit hours for 180 hours of work per semester. In addition, the classroom component provides two (2) hours of credit and employs a Socratic learning pedagogy combined with opportunities for students to learn by reflective sharing of their experiences in their respective placements.

The classroom component of this externship provides students with a practical application of legal writing concepts.  These classroom concepts include, but are not limited to: effective legal writing; critical legal analysis; issue identification; persuasive writing skills; and effective oral communication skills.  In addition, the classroom component supports and enhances the student’s educational development by allowing students the opportunity to share and reflect on their placements; what they have learned; and how they can apply what they have learned to better prepare them for the practice of law.