2025-2026 Law School Catalog

LAW-4006 Private Placement Externship Seminar

This course is available to all students registered for a private sector legal externship (e.g., solo practitioner, private firm, corporate placements). The two credits granted for this course are in addition to and independent of any credits awarded for the field placement experience. This classroom component will cover topics including the unique ethical and legal responsibilities of working as an attorney in the private sector. This course will provide education in bias, cultural competency, racism and professional identity formation. Externship experiences will also be discussed in class. Experienced private sector   attorneys as guest speakers will provide insight into their career paths and current private sector legal positions. Students will be expected to complete time logs and narrative reflective journals as part of their externship responsibilities. Readings and class participation are essential components of the course. An in-class oral presentation on a topic related to the student's fieldwork experience is required. An extended journal entry on an ethical issue is required. The paper will not satisfy the writing requirement. Student work is graded on a H/P/LP/F basis.If a student in a private sector placement is unable to take the Private Sector Lawyering course, the student may request to be supervised individually by a full-time faculty member only if the student has taken, or is in the process of taking, a substantive course elective with that faculty member that relates to the field placement experience. Decisions about individual faculty supervision will be made by the Externship Director. The faculty member must agree to supervise the student under the guidelines of the Externship Program.

Credits

2

Offered

Spring