Externships

The Externship Experience

UC Law SF Externships give students opportunities to develop their legal skills at approved governmental or public interest law offices.

In addition to working in their placements, students co-enroll in a faculty taught course designed to enhance the placement experience. Faculty also monitor placements to ensure their quality as learning experiences. Students assume real-world responsibilities and develop professional contacts and relationships in contexts identical to those in which they may eventually practice.

The Alternative Dispute Resolution [ADR] Externship

The ADR Externship puts students to work at a dispute resolution center, court program, non-profit, or company so they can see ADR in action. The ADR Externship is a course for advanced dispute resolution students who want an integrated learning experience, combining work at a placement site with an academic seminar. Students have an opportunity to engage in various ADR-related activities, including process observations, practice group meetings, research and writing on complex topics, system design and evaluation, analysis of procedures and policies, access to ADR programs, best practices, and conducting actual mediations. ADR professionals supervise students at the placement site. Please email The Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution, to obtain information on the ADR Externship and to apply.

UC Law SF Students can learn more on the ADR Externships Intranet Page.

Corporate Counsel Externship Program

The Corporate Counsel Externship Program offers second and third-year students an opportunity to earn academic credit through hands-on training in the pre-vetted corporate counsel offices of our partner for-profit and non-profit organizations. This immersive experience is designed to train students, enhancing their legal skills and preparing them to become practice-ready business attorneys.

Through the program, students gain insight into the dynamic role of in-house attorneys, observing how they collaborate and communicate effectively with their corporate clients. They also learn how to integrate the client’s mission, business objectives, and industry complexities into their legal advice.

Under the guidance of experienced supervising attorneys, students receive mentorship and substantive feedback, ensuring their growth and development throughout the semester.

UC Law SF Students can learn more about the Corporate Counsel Externship Program on the CCEP Intranet Page.

Judicial Externship Program

UC Law SF has one of the most extensive judicial externship programs in the country. Students work with federal and state court judges at the trial and appellate levels and administrative law judges at a variety of federal and state agencies. UC Law SF’s location in San Francisco’s Civic Center is within a few blocks of this extensive array of court settings. Each year, about 120 students spend a semester as a judicial extern. Students work full or part-time in judicial chambers on legal research memos and judicial opinions under the supervision of judges and their postgraduate or permanent law clerks. The externship promotes the improvement of analytical, research, and writing skills in a real-life, real-time context that requires students to exercise professional judgment on a daily basis.

UC Law SF students can learn more about Judicial Externships on the Clinic’s Intranet Page.

Legal Externship Program

The Legal Externship Program provides students with the opportunity to participate in an approved externship program at a government agency or non-profit legal organization. The intent of the Legal Externship Program is to address the gap between our clinical course offerings and a student’s desire to obtain supervised direct legal experience in a particular practice area or setting not otherwise available.

UC Law SF Students can learn more about Legal Externships on the Clinic’s Intranet Page.

UCDC Law Program

The UCDC Law Program is a collaborative, full-semester externship program in Washington, DC for 4^th-6^th semester law students from five University of California (UC) law schools including UC Law SF. The Program combines a weekly seminar course with a full-time field placement. Students who participate are eligible to receive 13 units for successful completion of the program: 10 units for the field placement, and 3 units for the required companion course, “Law and Lawyering in the Nation’s Capital.” Students who have participated in the program have externed with White House Counsel, Office of the Vice President, National Immigration Law Center, Securities and Exchange Commission, USDOJ – Consumer Protection Branch, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), etc.