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Do I have to do an externship?
Yes. All students must complete an externship to graduate from ASL.
Do I have to do my externship during the summer between my first and second years of law school?
Yes. The externship has deliberately been placed in the curriculum between the first and second years of study. Some of your second year classes draw upon the experiences you have during your externship. Also, the summer between your second and third years of study should be focused on your future employment opportunities. As a result, the vast majority of students will do their externship during their first summer. The only exceptions are situations involving transfer students and extreme emergency situations (e.g., illness involving hospitalization for an extended period of time or military mobilization).
If I have worked in a professional environment before, do I still have to do an externship?
Yes. The externship is designed to give you insights into the actual practice of law. Even if you have worked in professional environments before (including if it was in a legal environment), your legal studies will have an impact on how you view the work that practicing attorneys do. As a result, all ASL students must complete the externship, regardless of their previous professional background or experience.
Under what circumstances might the externship requirement be waived?
None. It is a requirement for graduation.
Why is it so important that I do an externship?
ASL's curriculum is focused on the actual practice of law. Throughout your studies here, you will have many classes that concentrate on the practical skills of lawyering. The externship is a vital part of this curriculum.
May I do my externship wherever I want?
No. There are approved sites which students must select from. While there is a process for adding new externship sites, very few are added each year. You should not presume, then, that you will be able to work where you want. There are almost 300 pre-approved sites, however. As a result, the chances are good that you will be able to work in the general geographical area that you'd like to be in, or in the general practice setting that you are interested in (or both).
How do I find an externship?
Students apply directly to externship sites on the pre-approved list. Placements are made competitively, and each site selects students based on their own criteria.
What happens if I can't find an externship?
In the rare circumstances where this happens, the Externship Program Director assists students in finding a suitable placement.
What happens if I have an emergency during the summer I am supposed to do my externship?
If the emergency is of such a nature that you cannot complete the externship during the summer between your first and second years of study (e.g., significant illness involving extended hospitalization or military mobilization), the Dean and Externship Program Director will make arrangements for you to do your externship during the next summer. Otherwise, the Externship Program Director and the Site Supervisor will work to ensure that you can complete the required hours prior to returning to school in the fall.
What does the externship entail?
During your externship you will shadow a practicing attorney in a government, judicial, or public interest setting. You will work closely with the Site Supervisor to devise a set of goals for the externship. During the summer, you and your Site Supervisor will work to ensure that your goals (both those of the program generally and your specific goals) are met.
How many hours do I have to complete at my externship site?
Currently, each student must work a minimum of 200 hours over six weeks at the externship placement site.
What kinds of things might I do at my externship site?
The sorts of tasks you might be involved in are almost endless. That being said, past externs have frequently engaged in the following types of activities: assisted with trial strategy; drafted judicial opinions; drafted pleadings and legal memoranda; interviewed clients; observed court proceedings; performed factual investigations; researched legal issues; and, updated law libraries.
What are the weekly requirements that I must meet?
The Site Supervisor will assign each student's weekly tasks. Throughout the week the student will document their work on his or her logs (time sheets) and in their journals. At the end of each week the Site Supervisor will review the student's logs for accuracy and sign them. These logs, along with the student's journals and whatever written work the student has produced, will be sent weekly to the Faculty Supervisor. The Faculty Supervisor will then review the student's logs, journals and written work.
Are there any other requirements?
In addition to the weekly reporting requirements, each student is required to produce at least one substantial written work during the externship. While there is some flexibility in what constitutes a substantial written work (the Faculty Supervisor will make the final determination), at a minimum it should be a document of at least 4 to 6 pages in length, which shows independent research and analysis on the student's part.
How do I pay for my expenses during the externship?
Students pay for their expenses during the externship program in the same way they pay for school during the year. Currently, ASL waives the tuition for the summer credits associated with the externship. There are, however, costs associated with general living expenses during the six weeks of the externship. Living expenses can be paid for through private means or loans. Any questions regarding financial aid should be directed to the Office of Student Services.
What happens if there is a problem during my externship?
Any problems should be immediately reported to your Site Supervisor. Problems should also be reported to your Faculty Supervisor, who may discuss the situation with the Externship Program Director. All of these individuals will work to assist you in dealing with whatever difficulties arise during the course of your externship.
What is the externship class, and when do I have to take it?
The externship class is a required part of the program, and is offered during the spring term. The class is designed to prepare externs for their placements. Issues such as ethics, individualized learning, and professionalism are addressed during the first half of the class. The second half of the class is devoted to giving students specific training concerning their particular type of placement.
Who is my site supervisor?
Your Site Supervisor is the licensed attorney under whom you will be working at the externship placement site.
Who will be my faculty supervisor?
Shortly before you begin your externship, you will be assigned a faculty member to supervise your work throughout the summer. Each faculty member will supervise approximately 18 students. Students and Faculty Supervisors will have weekly contact, and the Faculty Supervisor will review all student logs, journals and written work.
After I finish my hours during the summer, what do I have to do to complete the externship?
You must complete a group debriefing with your Faculty Supervisor (at which time you will complete the student evaluation). Some time during your second year (probably during the Fall term) you will also have a short meeting with the Externship Program Director.
When will I get credit for my externship?
Once you have completed all the necessary requirements for the externship and your file is complete, the Externship Program Director will audit your file. If all the documents concerning your externship are in order, the Externship Program Director will award your grade for the course. Generally this is done prior to the winter term break.
If you have questions that are not answered here, or if you'd like to discuss any of the above information, please feel free to contact the Externship Program Director, Professor Scott Boone, by email at sboone@asl.edu.
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