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

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Questions? Consult Individual Externships webpage
Answers to FAQ’s
Contact Prof. Jennifer Mailly, Externship Director