In externship clinics, students work under faculty supervision and the supervision of judges and attorneys in government agencies, law offices, counsel offices, and judges’ chambers. Students also attend a seminar to share experiences and insights and to focus on the substantive nature of their work. The Site Supervisor, Faculty Supervisor, and Student Extern Agreement form may be downloaded (see below). For assistance with securing a placement for academic credit, please book an appointment with the Career Center. Email your application packet along with your updated resume to externships@ggu.edu. Hard copy applications will not be accepted. If the application is approved, the Program Director will email the registrar and request the student be enrolled in the externship course.

Updated policies for the externship hours:

• Paid Externships Hours Policy
• Unpaid Externship Hours Policy

CONTACT

For further Questions or to discuss the program, please email: externships@ggu.edu.

EXTERNSHIP COURSES AND CLINICS

LAW 896A Externship: Civil Field Placement

This course involves both classroom and field work components. In class, students work toward effectiveness in the field by developing skills, engaging in discussion, and reflecting on goals and performance. In the field, students practice civil litigation or transactional work at private or nonprofit law offices, government agencies, or in the legal departments of businesses. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement and is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. Application required by deadline to enroll. See deadlines above and find the application here.

LAW 896B Externship: Advanced

This course involves both classroom and field work components. In class, students work toward effectiveness in the field by developing skills, engaging in discussion, and reflecting on goals and performance. In the field, students practice civil litigation or transactional work at private or nonprofit law offices, government agencies, or in the legal departments of businesses. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement and is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. Application required by deadline to enroll. See deadlines above and find the application here.

Prerequisite: completion of an externship course for credit in the same discipline.

 LAW 896C Externship: Judicial Externships

This course involves both classroom and field work components. In class, students work toward effectiveness in the field by developing skills, engaging in discussion, and reflecting on goals and performance. In the field, students practice the research, writing, and other skills needed to work under the supervision of a judge or court staff attorney. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement and is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. Application required by deadline to enroll. See deadlines above and find the application here.

Prerequisite: cumulative GPA of 2.5 for state trial court and 2.75 for appellate and federal court.

Pre- or co-requisite: Evidence

LAW 896F Externship: Criminal Litigation

This course involves both classroom and field work components. In class, students work toward effectiveness in the field by developing skills, engaging in discussion, and reflecting on goals and performance. In the field, students practice criminal litigation with prosecutors, public defenders, or private defense attorneys. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement and is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. Application required by deadline to enroll. See deadlines above and find the application here.

Pre- or co-requisite: Evidence

LAW 896I Externship: Immigration Clinic

This course includes both classroom and field work components. In class, students learn the intricacies of immigration law practice. In the field, students engage in a clinical experience with attorney supervision as they work with clients who are seeking relief in the form of asylum, U-visas, and other types of humanitarian relief. The classes and clinics are held on Thursday evenings. This course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement and is graded on a Credit/No Credit basis. Students must submit the required Application by the deadline to enroll and all Applications are subject to approval by the Externship Director. Find the Application here. Part-time students receive priority registration. Prerequisite: LAW 842A or LAW 842D or LAW 706A, or receive approval from the Externship Director.

LAW 896M Externship: Cannabis Law Clinic

This course includes both classroom and field work components. In class, students learn the fundamentals of cannabis law practice. In the field, students engage in a clinical experience with attorney supervision as they advise clients on how to obtain cannabis operator licenses through the Equity Program. Students also will advise clients on all aspects of the cannabis industry, including regulatory, tax, contract, and intellectual property issues. The classes and clinics are held on Thursday evenings. The course counts toward completion of the Experiential Learning Requirement and is graded on a Credit/No Credit. Basis. Students must submit the required Application by the deadline to enroll and all Applications are subject to approval by the Externship Director. Find the Application here.

• Externship Clinic Info Sheet
• How to Find and Secure a Placement
• Information for Prospective Supervising Attorneys
• Externship Placement Certification Form for New Employers
• Pre-Approved Externship Program Employers 
• Pilot Program Allowing Paid Credit-bearing Externships
• Job Posting Form

Handbooks

• Supervising Attorney Handbook

Applications

• Externship Application Packet

What is an Externship Clinic?

Externship clinics offer students the opportunity to earn credit for supervised work with live clients in the areas of immigration and cannabis law. Externship clinics are taught by practicing attorneys, with academic oversight.

Opportunities to gain lawyering experience outside the traditional classroom include: Four Externship Courses, for which students attend seminars while gaining practical experience off campus:

• Civil Litigation
• Criminal Litigation
• Judicial Externship
• Advanced Externship (for repeating externships)

Two externship clinics:

• Immigration Clinic (Asylum)
• Cannabis Law Clinic

In addition to working in an approved placement, is there a classroom component to all externships?

Yes, students must attend a companion seminar that meets frequently, although not necessarily every week of the semester. Seminars are designed to develop professional competency and practice readiness. See individual course descriptions for more information about the seminar.

Where can I work as an extern?

You can work at approved placements in government agencies, non-profits, civil law firms, companies, and judicial chambers. You can extern locally or outside of the Bay Area. In some cases, you may also work in another country, or receive credit for another university’s summer program.

Can I receive academic credit while getting paid for my work?

Yes, you can receive academic credit while doing paid work. Placement for pay and credit must be approved by the Externship Director before the start of the semester.

What will I learn from participating in an externship while in law school?

The overarching goal is to help students become accomplished and reflective practitioners. In the seminar component of each externship class, students explore competencies relevant to their practice. This combination of hands-on, supervised work experience, and classroom discussion helps students develop professional skills while enhancing their critical perspective of the issues confronting lawyers and legal institutions in modern society.

Who is eligible to enroll in an externship?

Students who have completed 28 units, are in good academic standing, and have completed any required pre-requisites for a course.

Enrollment in externship courses is limited and prior approval is mandatory. Check the specific course descriptions for additional prerequisites.

Can evening part-time or Flex students participate in clinics and/or externship programs?

Yes. Part time an Flex students are encouraged to consult with the Externship Director to see if the particular class can accommodate the student’s schedule. Externships also offers two evening clinics – the Immigration Clinic and the Cannabis Law Clinic, which are designed to provide part-time students with clinical opportunities.

Are LLM students eligible for clinics and/or externship programs?

Yes, as long as there is space available.

Are international students in the JD, SJD, or LLM programs eligible to enroll in externship programs?

Yes, as long as there is space is available, and certain additional requirements are met. International students should contact lawinternational@ggu.edu for more information about these requirements.  Students may also refer to this guide on the CPT requirements necessary to enroll in externships.

How many hours do I have to work for each field placement unit?

For each unit, students must work 45 hours at an approved placement. Hours spent preparing for and/or in the accompanying class do not count toward the credits earned.

Can I take more than one clinic/externship at a time?

No. A student may enroll in only one clinic or externship course per term.

Are there limits on the number of clinic units I can earn during law school?

JD students are limited to no more than a total of 13 units during law school for any combination of externship. Courses that count toward this unit limitation include all externships & clinics.

How do I get started?

• Work with the Career Center to identify an area in which you’d like to gain practical experience and get referrals to placements.
• Visit the Bridge for current listings, and review student evaluations of externship experiences.
• Fill out an Externship Application and submit it, along with a current resume, via email to externship@ggu.edu.
• You must apply by the deadline even if you have not received an offer yet. Wait on approval and confirmed enrollment in the course. Remember to communicate with the Externship Director and the Career Center if you have any problems securing a placement.

When should I start looking for a placement?

Only students who have successfully completed 28 credits are eligible to receive credit for an externship. In most cases, students should begin seeking placements in the beginning of the semester PRIOR to the semester in which their placement will be completed. (For example, begin applying for summer placements at the beginning of the spring semester.)

What about the Clinics?

GGU offers three in-house “live-client” clinics that operate as law offices on campus:

• Environmental Law and Justice Clinic (ELJC)
• Women’s Employment Rights Clinic (WERC)
• The Veterans Legal Advocacy Center (VLAC)

Note: You do not receive externship credits working at the above mentioned in-house clinics.