EXTERNSHIP MEETING

for SPRING 2010“Enhance Your Legal Experience!”

Jennifer Barnes, Director of the Externship ProgramCarolyn Landry, Externship Coordinator

General Information 60 hours for each credit earned (average 14

hours per week for 3 credits.) You may earn between 2-5 credits per semester

(5 or more credits requires permission from Director of the Externship Program.)

GPA must be above 75 in fall/spring semesters. May work at placement during break, start one

week before semester begins, and work after classes cease, if necessary.

General Information-cont. Give yourself blocks of time for working at

externship such as M-W or T-Th all day, or 3 half days free.

Timesheets due to Carolyn every two weeks from the day you start your externship until hours completed.

Must complete academic component portion of externship to earn a grade.

Class is Pass/Fail.

General Information-cont. Recommend that you do not do two

externships in one semester because of potential conflict of interest and workload.

Academic Component

Must attend classes unless you have already attended class this past summer or this fall, or have participated in a cluster group. (Verify with Carolyn)

Must timely submit assignments consisting of reflective essays, peer responses, and journals.

Paperwork/Evaluations Student and Supervisor must complete a “Student Agency

Agreement” form. Student must complete “Externship Certification” form. Supervisor must complete a “Mid-term Performance

Evaluation” and a “Final Performance Evaluation.” Student must complete a “Final Student Evaluation” (not

reviewed by agency/judge.) Grade will not be submitted until all paperwork is completed

and submitted, including evaluations, timesheets, and assignments.

Application Process All cover letters, resumes, and writing

samples (if required) are submitted through “Simplicity” for any externship desired.

Deadline for applying to all externships is Friday, October 9, 2009 by 12pm.

“Externship Certification” form due to Carolyn by Friday, October 9, 2009 by 12pm.

Application Process- Cont. May apply to as many or as few

externships as desired. We recommend that you have cover letters

and resumes reviewed by Career Services by October 2, 2009.

Externship placement is not guaranteed.

Judicial Externships Must enroll for 3 or more credits for Judicial

Externships. If applying for Superior Court and desire a

particular calendar, please indicate in cover letter. (i.e. Criminal, Civil, Juvenile, Family)

If want to be placed in a particular courthouse (i.e. Mesa or North Phoenix), please specify.

If desire a particular Judge, direct cover letter to that Judge and it will be forwarded by Judge Heilman for consideration.

US Department of Justice Security clearance required. Students

supplied with packet. Must immediately begin security clearance, so that externship may start timely.

Security clearance applies to US Attorneys Office, Immigration Courts, Department of Homeland Security.

Interviews Once agency/judges get packets, they are

reviewed, and then agencies and selected judges will set up interviews directly with students by e-mail or phone.

Professionalism required at all times. Notify agency/judge if declining offer for interview. Show up on time dressed professionally. Turn your cell phone off, etc.

Be prepared to pay for parking at most placements.

Interviews-cont. Majority of interviews are at

agency/judge’s office. Some interviews are arranged on campus.

Recommend that you bring a copy of a writing sample with you to give to interviewer(s).

Do your best to not miss any classes for interviews.

Offer Process Agencies/judges will contact Carolyn and not

students with offers by Tuesday, November 17th. Carolyn will begin contacting students on

Thursday, November 19th with first place offers. Once student receives offer(s), student has 24

hours to get back to Carolyn with decision. Spring schedule is due to be posted by November

19th.

Offer Process-cont. Carolyn communicates acceptance to the agency

and student may also communicate acceptance to set up schedules/training, etc.

Once you accept any offer, you are committed to that placement for the semester. (Consider it a 14 week job interview.)

YOU MAY NOT BACK OUT OF YOUR COMMITMENT ONCE POSITION IS ACCEPTED!

If you back out, you will not be allowed to enroll in any other externships while you are in law school.

Value of Externship If you commit to the work, the externship

experience will be very helpful on your resume. Placement may assist you in figuring out if you

want to engage in a certain practice, or not, upon passing a Bar Exam.

Great networking opportunities! Extern placements know you are students, so

expectations manageable, but communication with your supervisor is critical!

Have fun!