Stanford Law Externship Programs

Field-Based Legal Learning & Professional Development

Law School Experiential Learning Opportunity

Mission & Overview

Stanford Law's externship programs provide students with field-based legal work experience in real legal settings. Through externships, students work directly with practicing attorneys in courts, government agencies, law firms, and nonprofit organizations, developing practical lawyering skills while earning academic credit and gaining valuable professional experience.

Externships combine direct legal work with an academic seminar component, ensuring that field experience is integrated with reflection and theoretical learning. Students develop professional networks, explore career paths, and contribute meaningfully to the work of their host organizations.

Program Structure

All Stanford externship programs share a common structure combining field work with academic instruction:

  • Field Work: 12-15 hours per week with your host organization
  • Seminar: Weekly 1.5-hour Externship Companion Seminar (LAW 881)
  • Reflection: Regular reflection on experience and professional development
  • Units: 12 units total for the field work; 2 units for the seminar
  • Duration: Typically one semester; may extend across full academic year

Externship Options

LAW 882: Civil Law Externship

12 Units | Field Work in Civil Legal Practice

Work with civil law practitioners in private firms, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations handling civil matters. Civil law externships provide experience in contract law, business law, real estate, litigation, and other civil practice areas.

  • Discovery and document review
  • Legal research and memoranda
  • Deposition preparation
  • Client counseling and communications
  • Motion and brief drafting
  • Negotiation and settlement discussions

Career Paths: Private firm practice, business law, litigation, corporate counsel

LAW 883: Criminal Law Externship

12 Units | Field Work in Criminal Justice

Work with criminal justice practitioners in public defender offices, district attorney offices, federal prosecutors, or criminal defense firms. Criminal law externships develop trial practice skills and criminal procedure knowledge.

  • Case investigation and discovery
  • Motion drafting and argument
  • Witness preparation
  • Trial observation and participation
  • Plea negotiation
  • Appellate advocacy

Career Paths: Public defender, prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, public interest law

LAW 884: Government Law Externship

12 Units | Field Work in Government Law

Work with government attorneys in federal, state, or local government agencies. Government law externships provide experience in administrative law, regulatory practice, and policy development.

  • Administrative law and procedure
  • Regulatory compliance and guidance
  • Policy development and analysis
  • Interagency collaboration
  • Public comment processes
  • Legislative drafting

Career Paths: Government counsel, administrative law, regulatory practice, policy work

LAW 885: International Externship

12 Units | Field Work in International Law

Work with international organizations, human rights groups, or international law practitioners. International law externships may involve international travel and provide exposure to comparative law and global legal systems.

  • International human rights law
  • Comparative law research
  • Cross-border transactions
  • International litigation and dispute resolution
  • NGO legal work
  • International development law

Career Paths: International law, human rights, global organizations, international practice

LAW 886: Public Interest Law Externship

12 Units | Field Work in Public Interest Organizations

Work with nonprofit organizations, legal aid societies, public interest law firms, and advocacy organizations. Public interest externships develop skills in community lawyering, social justice advocacy, and service to underrepresented populations.

  • Direct client representation
  • Community legal work
  • Impact litigation
  • Policy advocacy
  • Community organizing
  • Systemic reform advocacy

Career Paths: Legal aid, nonprofit law, social justice, public interest practice

LAW 881: Externship Companion Seminar

2 Units | Weekly Reflective Seminar

All externship students participate in a weekly seminar led by faculty supervisors. The seminar integrates field experience with academic learning through:

  • Structured reflection on field experience
  • Discussion of professional responsibility issues
  • Career development and networking
  • Peer learning from other externs
  • Integration of theory and practice
  • Skills development workshops

Enrollment & Academic Requirements

Who Can Enroll?

Externships are available to 2L and 3L students. Prerequisites vary by program but typically include foundational courses in the relevant practice area.

Academic Standards

Students must:

  • Maintain good academic standing
  • Obtain host organization approval and supervision agreement
  • Complete all field work hours (typically 300+ hours)
  • Participate in all seminar sessions
  • Complete reflection assignments and evaluations

Grading & Credit

Externship programs award academic credit based on:

  • Field Work Evaluation: Graded by host organization supervisor based on legal work quality and professional responsibility
  • Seminar Participation: Graded based on attendance, reflection, and engagement
  • Learning Outcomes: Assessment of legal knowledge and skills developed
  • Total Credit: 12 units for field work + 2 units for seminar

Application Requirements

To apply for an externship, students typically provide:

  • Completed application form
  • Resume and cover letter
  • Statement of interest in the specific externship type
  • References from law professors
  • Evidence of relevant coursework
  • Host organization placement (varies by program)

Application Process

The externship application process typically follows these steps:

  1. Select Program: Choose from Civil, Criminal, Government, International, or Public Interest externship
  2. Secure Host Organization: Identify and secure approval from host organization (may be coordinated by program)
  3. Submit Application: Complete and submit externship application with supporting materials
  4. Faculty Review: Program faculty review application and clearance
  5. Confirmation: Upon approval, confirm field work dates and seminar enrollment
  6. Begin Externship: Start field work and seminar participation

Contacts & Further Information

Externship Program Director: Contact the Stanford Law Clinics office for program leadership

Civil Law Externship Coordinator: For questions about civil law placements

Criminal Law Externship Coordinator: For questions about criminal law placements

Government Law Externship Coordinator: For questions about government law placements

International Externship Coordinator: For questions about international placements

Public Interest Externship Coordinator: For questions about public interest placements

General Information: law-clinics@stanford.edu or (650) 723-2474

Application Deadlines: Program-specific; typically rolling admissions with priority deadlines

Externship Reflection & Learning

Externships emphasize integrating field experience with critical reflection. Seminar discussions explore:

On Professional Identity

How is your professional identity developing through this field experience? What kind of lawyer and professional do you aspire to become?

On Lawyering Skills

What lawyering skills have you developed or strengthened? Where do you see opportunities for continued growth?

On Practice Areas

How has this externship influenced your thinking about different practice areas and career paths? What appeals to you about this work?

On Justice & Ethics

How has field work deepened your understanding of justice, ethics, and professional responsibility in legal practice?