Mitchell Externships

Externships For credit learning opportunities outside the classroom, such as public defender’s office, government agencies, law firms, corporations & nonprofits. Cannot receive pay. Need 22 credits completed to register for externships. Prerequisites or co-requisites, depends on each externship. See individual course requirements.

Clinics - Externships Difference between externships & clinics: Generally, in clinics, students work directly with Mitchell’s clinical faculty or adjunct faculty to work on cases that the Mitchell clinics decide to take. Think of Mitchell’s clinical faculty and clinical students functioning as a small law firm. Example: Child Protection Clinic. http://web.wmitchell.edu/legal-practice-center/client-representation-clinics/ In externships, students are placed outside the law school to work with attorneys/judges outside the law school on projects/cases specific to that office or organization.

Externships Generally fall under two main categories on the course listing: Course based: In-class room component, plus field placement. Independent externships: No class room component, but students have faculty supervision, individual meetings. (unless in pilot phase) See http://web.wmitchell.edu/legal-practice-center/externships/

Credits Register when you sign up for your other classes. Courses and independent externship credits are based on number of hours in your field placement. 50 hours = 1 credit 100 hours = 2 credits 145 hours = 3 credits 190 hours = 4 credits (rare)

Externships Not finding the externship experience you are looking for under Mitchell’s course offerings? See Independent Externships Symplicity postings (If pre-approved, will have my contact information on it.) Your own contacts – Mitchell mentors http://web.wmitchell.edu/legal-practice-center/externships/independent-externships/

Examples of Placements Criminal Justice Externship: Ramsey County Public Defender’s Office Government Agency Externship: MN Department of Labor & Industry Law & Business Externship: Best Buy District Court Externship: Hennepin County District Court Family Law Externship: Family law attorney

Examples of Placements Independent Externships Hennepin County Taxpayer Services* City of St. Paul Attorney’s Office Neighborhood Justice Center (Note, MJF opportunities may be set up as independent externships) University of MN-Office of Institutional Compliance* Corporations Small law firms North Carolina Legal Aid *Examples of alternative legal careers

How Many Externships Can I Take? Independent = total of 4 credits Independent Judicial = total of 4 credits Course based externships = no limit (register for one course each semester until the first round of registration is completed)

Why should I take Externships? Part of your legal education – gain hands on experience under attorney supervision & faculty guidance. Apply what you learn in the classroom to solve problems for individuals, agencies, corporations and nonprofits. Create enthusiasm & passion for the practice of law. Career exploration- test run, including alternative legal careers. Build your portfolio of legal skills. Employers want: Practical experience.

Recommendation Have variety of practical experiences by the time you graduate: Clinics & externships Volunteer (MJF) Paid clerkships “Legal Experience” section of your resume should be robust. Prove you are interested in a specific practice area. Have some variety to leave paths to employment open.

EXAMPLE – 3L Resume LEGAL EXPERIENCE Minnesota Department of Human Services- Appeals Division, St. Paul, MN Law Clerk Spring 2012 – Present Legal Extern August – December 2012 -Assist the Appeals Workgroup to set up the Healthcare Exchange Process in Minnesota. -Reviewed all state benefit cases to draft appeal orders, dismissals, reconsiderations and licensing decisions for the Administrative Law Judges and Chief Judges. Minnesota Department of Commerce , St. Paul, MN Independent Contractor May 2012 - Present -Draft consent orders for settlement with companies within the Department’s jurisdiction. -Help with grant requests and legal research regarding the Minnesota Health Care Exchange. -Review Company contracts and procedures for violations of Minnesota Law. Ramsey County Mental Health Court, St. Paul, MN Student Certified Attorney May 2012 - Present -Appear twice a month to represent clients in a diversionary court aimed at reducing recidivism among those whose criminal behaviors are attributable to mental illness. Cancer Legal Line, Minnesota Justice Foundation, St. Paul, MN Volunteer Spring 2012 -Worked on a project to summarize the Affordable Care Act for a local Minnesota non-profit and present it in a forum that conveys all the relevant information. Public Health Law Center, St. Paul, MN Volunteer January – May 2012 Research Assistant – May – December 2012 -Summarized the Affordable Care Act to present to small businesses.

Melissa Wright, Externship Director Contact Melissa Wright, Externship Director Melissa.Wright@wmitchell.edu 290-6369 Office 159 (1st Floor, past Hachey Commons, follow the long hallway to the very end). Power Point will be posted on Mitchell’s Independent Externship Website or contact me if you want it emailed to you.