The objective of the Externship Program is to teach students, through practical experiences, about the operation of the legal system and the role of lawyers in that system. Students enrolled in the Program work for one semester at a designated field placement at a public (i.e., governmental), nonprofit, or public interest institution or agency in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area.

During the summer, the placement site is not limited to any geographic location. In addition, students may work in a private law firm provided that the student’s work is of a public interest nature or relates to a pro bono matter undertaken by the firm. Students are also required to attend and participate in a weekly 75-minute seminar taught by the Clinic Director or Equal Justice Program Coordinator. The seminar focuses on a variety of issues and topics including, but not limited to the development of lawyering skills, problems arising at the placement site, ethical issues, discussion of other issues relating to placements, and career opportunities for public interest lawyers.

No enrollment will be permitted, or credit given, for a paid externship. Evaluation will be based on the student’s performance at the placement site (by the law school supervisor and the field supervisor), participation in classroom sessions, and periodic reviews of the student’s journal. A grade of “pass or no-pass” will be awarded.

Fall and Spring Semester Programs

During the Semester Program, students are required to work twelve (12) hours per week for thirteen (13) weeks, and must attend a seventy-five (75) minute weekly seminar. A student shall not be permitted to work in excess of twelve (12) hours per week at a placement site. Additionally, students are required to keep a journal of the student’s reflections and activities at the placement site.

A student shall receive four (4) hours of academic credit upon successful completion of the Semester Program. A student enrolled in the Externship Program shall not be permitted to enroll in a “live-client” clinical course offering during the same semester in which the student is enrolled in the Semester Externship Program. A student, however, may enroll in a “live-client” clinical course during the semester in which the student is completing the seminar portion of the Summer Externship Program. The maximum number of students enrolled in the Externship Program in any semester shall not exceed twenty (20) students, and shall include those students who have completed their field placement during the summer.

Summer Program

A maximum number of ten (10) eligible students will be permitted to complete their field placement during the summer (i.e., between the months of May and August) and to complete the weekly seminar during the fall semester immediately following the summer in which the field placement has been completed. Students who are enrolling in the Summer Program must register, be accepted into the program and attend a mandatory orientation during the spring semester immediately prior to beginning their summer field placement. Summer Program students must work a minimum of thirty-two (32) hours for ten (10) weeks and maintain a reflective journal of the student’s activities at the placement site. A student shall receive six (6) hours of academic credit upon successful completion of the Summer Program.

Eligibility and Prerequisites

1. Successful completion of two (2) semesters of law school study;
2. Successful completion of a course in Legal Reasoning, Research & Writing;
3. Selection of a placement which has been approved by the Equal Justice Program Director or Clinic Director;
4. Written agreement of the Attorney Field Supervisor at the field placement that the placement will adhere to the responsibilities imposed by the Law School; and
5. Be interviewed and approved for enrollment by the Equal Justice Program Director or the Clinic Director.