The Individual Externship Program Experiential Learning Tailored for You March 24, 2016

What is an Individual Externship? Experiential learning opportunity in which the student Performs volunteer legal work at a field placement under supervision of an experienced attorney Reflects on that experience with guidance from a member of the faculty, and Earns law school credit corresponding to the hours of work performed Differs from externship clinics in that there is no classroom component (except when satisfying PBLR)

Credits Correspond to Hours Worked Credits are earned at rate of 56 hours of externship work per credit Academic year externships are generally 2 or 3 credits, 1 under limited circumstances PBLR-satisfying externships must be at least 3 credits Summer externships may be up to 4 credits

Enrollment Restrictions 1L’s may not enroll until June Term Individual externship and SRP credits are capped at a total of 8 Individual externship credits count toward the maximum of 12 ungraded credits allowed toward degree Dual clinic/externship enrollment is permitted only with approval of all supervisors

Satisfying the PBLR Individual externships will satisfy PBLR if: Student enrolls in externship of at least 3 credits; Student is concurrently enrolled in the one-credit, graded Individual Externship Seminar (IES) Seminar enrollment occurs during course selection, but externship enrollment may occur later Student does not need to have externship secured when enrolling in seminar Seminar enrollment triggers counseling meeting with Externship Director

Starting the Externship Selection Process Consider how an externship fits into your overall course of study, your interests, and/or career plans Practice areas Legal skills Practice venues Geographical considerations

Identifying a Suitable Field Placement Pursue field placements that meet your educational and career goals Brainstorm plan of action with Externship Director Review list of approved externship placements Review other volunteer legal opportunities posted on Symplicity Network at CPC and CBA events, and at Law School symposia and conferences Talk to faculty members and practicing attorneys

Types of Field Placements Public Sector State and federal court clerkships, administrative agencies and departments, municipalities Criminal Justice US and state’s attorneys, public defense Public Interest Organizations General and specialized legal services In-House Legal Departments General counsel for corporate and institutional clients Law Firms General and specialized practices, mostly small

Securing a Field Placement Contact potential field placements/supervisors Explain your goals, interests, and availability Provide any requested information: CV, writing sample, cover letter, transcript Follow selection procedures – interview, references If offered an externship Understand the nature of work you will be doing Set a schedule that maximizes your educational experience Ensure that placement meets program policies

Enrollment Process and Deadlines Enrollment requires two forms – application (signed by student) and approval (signed by field supervisor and faculty supervisor) Enrollment forms must be submitted to the Externship Director no later than the end of the first week of the semester in which the student will enroll Late applications may be accepted only for extenuating circumstances Students may not earn credit for hours worked prior to the submission of a complete application Summer deadlines are more flexible, but the restriction on earning credit prior to submitting completed enrollment forms still applies

Securing a Faculty Supervisor All individual externships must be supervised by a member of the full-time faculty For IES students only, the faculty supervisor is the Externship Director. Non-IES students must contact faculty members they know through classes or other activities or organizations, or who teach in the areas of law relevant to the field placement The faculty supervisor must approve the student’s proposed field placement and the type of work that the student will be assigned The faculty supervisor and student agree on the method by and frequency with which the student will submit journals and meet with the faculty supervisor during the externship placement

Orientation Program All externs must attend an orientation program before beginning work at the field placement Review of: Enrollment process, Record-keeping and reporting requirements Ethical and professional obligations of externs, Student practice rules, Policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment and inappropriate romantic relationships, and Workplace etiquette

Recordkeeping Requirements Weekly Work Logs TWEN submissions describing time spent and nature of work done Reflections or Journals IES and non-IES students must engage in guided reflection IES students have periodic reflections built into seminar Non-IES students must submit quarterly journal entries to faculty supervisor.

Completing the Externship Complete work hours correlating to credits sought Satisfy worklog and reflection requirements Submit to Externship Director three evaluations: Student Placement Supervisor Faculty Supervisor

Why do an Individual Externship? Provides practice-based learning in substantive law, skills, and professional values Provides insight into career goals/preferences Provides work references/letters of recommendation Provides networking opportunities Provides potential employment opportunities Many students rate externship as a highlight of legal education

An Alternative: Partnership and Externship Clinics Some field placements are also associated with a Partnership or Externship Clinic Partnership Clinics include the Center for Children’s Advocacy, Connecticut Urban Legal Initiative (CULI), Environmental Law Clinic (at CT Fund for the Environment), US Attorney’s Externship Clinic Externship Clinics include the Center for Energy and Environmental Law (CEEL), Legislative Clinic, Administrative Clinic, Judicial Clerkship Clinic, State’s Attorney’s Clinic Students may have option of working at these field placements through the associated clinic or as individual externs Partnership and externship clinics have a specialized classroom component and satisfy PBLR, but may be offered only once a year and never in summer

Questions? Consult Individual Externships webpage Answers to FAQ’s Contact Prof. Jennifer Mailly, Externship Director Jennifer.Mailly@uconn.edu 860-570-5216