Externship Program

Seattle University School of Law recognizes that experiential learning is an important component of a law student’s legal training. Experiential learning at the law school takes two primary forms: either the traditional clinic or the externship program, which places students with judges or practitioners.

A traditional clinic can offer a student the opportunity to represent a client in a live case, and a well-supervised externship program can help a student learn to manage a heavier case-load or to complete a variety of attorney work products in judicial chambers or practice settings. The externship experience helps the student move from law school to practice more easily. Both the faculty supervisor and the site supervisor guide the extern in reflecting on experiences in practice. This reflection enhances the practice experience by providing context for an extern’s reactions to situations and observations.

The externship program’s goal is to provide externs with a rewarding, well-supervised experience in judicial chambers or a practice setting that will ease their transition into practicing law, will instill professionalism, and will increase awareness of social justice concepts.

The externship program operates within the Law School’s mission, which focuses on social justice, especially access to justice, concepts.

See the Frequently Asked Questions section for further information about the program and the externship sites.

Students who are researching possible Externship Placements should visit the Externship Sponsors Database for comprehensive information about applying for an Externship. Within the database, you will find a list of all Sponsoring Agencies, Externship Application instructions, and much more.

If you have any questions, please contact Danielle Armstrong at (206) 398-4128, or armstrod@seattleu.edu for more information.