Public Interest Externship Program

The Public Interest Externship is a course designed to assist you define your role as a “Public Interest Attorney” through the integration of academic theory/analysis with common practice themes arising in public interest law advocacy. You will perform legal work at their externship field placements for a minimum of 140 hours during the 15-week academic term (supervised by a licensed attorney), record legal practice observations in reflection papers, and write 3 short Case Journals analyzing your field experiences on approved public interest law topics. There is no final examination.

Every year, the Public Externship Program sends as many as 30 students to work in government and public service law offices. As a participant, you will spend a full year working alongside attorneys who could become valuable contacts and references while you earn academic credit. The Public Interest Externship offers an excellent opportunity to practice the unique skill set required for the practice of public interest law.

Check out the current placement list (pdf) for our Public Interest Externship Program.

Clinical Public Interest Externship Documentation

Memorandum of Agreement (docx)
Placement Plan (docx)
Supervisor Assessment Form (docx)
Student Log Form (docx)

Prerequisites: Applicants must have completed 3 semesters of law school, with a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or above, and must have successfully completed (C or better) courses in Professional Responsibility and Evidence.