PowerPoint Presentation

MSU College of Law Externship Program Spring 2017 Information Session

Externship Information SessionSpring 2017

Professor Jennifer Rosa, Director of Externship Programs

Jill Roberts, Assistant Director for Career Development, Career Services Office

EXTERNSHIP v INTERNSHIP

InternshipLaw practice experience done on a volunteer or paid basisArranged individually between the student and the siteNo oversight from the Law CollegeMay be performed anywhere

ExternshipExperiential and academic componentsLaw practice experience that allows the student to earn pass/fail academic credit (various) and carries certain requirementsAcademic credit hours for an externship cost the same as any other credit hoursTypically performed only at nonprofit organizations or government/judicial sites, reflecting a commitment to public service and pro bono work

Jenn

EXTERNSHIP BASICS

What? Law practice experience outside the classroom for credit. Students perform substantive legal work under the direct supervision of an attorney and attend a mandatory classroom seminar that meets periodically throughout the semester.

Where? Students may work in judicial, governmental, legal aid or nonprofit settings.

Anywhere else? In limited circumstances, students may work at law firms if they engage only in pro-bono work (work for indigent or nonprofit clients only), court appointed defense work, or certain local government work. There are also special placements available in corporate general counsel offices.

Jenn

GENERAL OBJECTIVESDevelop the following skills:Problem solving and negotiationLegal research, writing, and analysisProfessional responsibilityCommunication

Gain the following professional advantages:Self-awarenessProfessional contactsWriting sampleRecommender or reference

JennThink about your personal objectives and what you want to get out of the externship siteTalk with your supervisor about expectations and goals

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Full-time students must have completed 1 full year of legal studies

Good academic standing (at least a 2.0 GPA)

For international students, because this is considered a law school course, CPT is not required (see Dean Alsup if questions)

JennQ: What is CPT? it is something about working as an international student, Curricular Practical Training Q: check on # credits minimum (what is one full year=24 credits?), there used to be an actual number from the ABA, then they changed it to the vague 1 year, so I dont know if we are putting a number on it

EXPERIENTIAL COMPONENT

Students may earn up to a maximum of 9 externship credits total during law schoolPLAN AHEAD

The configuration can be (a) three, 3 credit externships; (b) one, 3 credit and one, 6 credit externship; or (c) one special 9 credit externship

General Externships: 3 or 6 credits (6 requires permission)DC Externship Program: 6 or 9 credits (9 requires permission)Talsky Center International Externships: 9 credits (some exceptions)

Cannot repeat the same externship site

Graded on a pass/fail basis

JillA student may earn up to 12 externship credits if 9 of those credits are from an Talsky Center International ExternshipIf you desire a 6 credit general externship OR a 9 credit DC externship, special permission is required from Prof. Rosa, the Director of Externship Programs

EXPERIENTAL COMPONENT (cont.)

3 credit externship, students must work at least 160 hours at the site AND a minimum of 10 weeks during summer, 14 weeks during the semester6 credit externship, students must work at least 320 hours at the site AND a minimum of 10 weeks during the summer, 14 weeks during semester9 credit externship, students must work at least 480 hours at the site AND a minim of 10 weeks during the summer, 14 weeks during semester

Week Modification:Can work more weeks, but not fewerIf a student needs to complete the externship in fewer weeks, must obtain Professor Rosas approvalHours:Must complete the required number of hours by working those hours (no hours given for holidays or vacation time)

JillWorking more than the required hours or weeks is fine (check with employer for # hours they expect)For all semesters, hours must be arranged with the externship siteHours AND week requirement

PLACEMENT EXAMPLESGOVERNMENT SITES

Michigan Attorney Generals Office Several DivisionsMichigan Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Several DivisionsMichigan Department of Environmental Quality Washtenaw County Public Defenders OfficeWayne County Prosecutor's Office City of FlintMichigan House Democratic Policy StaffU.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corp. (JAG)U.S. Department of JusticeU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)U.S. Attorneys Office, Eastern District of Michigan (deadline Oct. 3)

JillUse Symplicity / Career Network to find sites that students previously went toBe purposeful when you select an externship placement

PLACEMENT EXAMPLESCOURT SITES

U.S. Court of Appeals, Chambers of Hon. David W. McKeague U.S. District Court for the WD of MI, Chambers of Hon. Janet T. NeffMichigan Supreme Court Justice McCormack Michigan Court of Appeals, Chambers of Hon. Mark BoonstraMichigan Court of Appeals Research DivisionKent County 17th Judicial Circuit Judge QuistIngham County 30th Judicial Circuit Judge AquilinaIngham County Probate CourtU.S. Tax Court (Judge Buch)Alexandria Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

JillUse Symplicity / Career Network to find sites that students previously went toBe purposeful when you select an externship placement

PLACEMENT EXAMPLESNON-PROFIT SITES

Legal Services of South Central MichiganElder Law of MichiganMichigan Protection and Advocacy ServiceMichigan Indigent Defense CommissionLakeshore Legal Aid Counsel and Advocacy Law Line (CALL)MSU Office of General CounselMcLaren Health CorporationUniversity of Michigan Health Systems Compliance OfficeSt. Vincent Catholic Charities Immigration ClinicTip of the Mitt Watershed CouncilU.N. - International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia

JillUse Symplicity / Career Network to find sites that students previously went toBe purposeful when you select an externship placement

HOW TO OBTAIN AN EXTERNSHIP PLACEMENT

Postings in In Symplicity/CASE:

Review Externship Site Descriptions and comments from past externs on the specific posting in Symplicity

Submit applications through Symplicity using the Apply button, or as instructed by the specific siteThe posting in Symplicity will indicate how to apply

When applying through Symplicity, you have to upload the documents to send. Make sure you are selecting the correct cover letter with the correct employer, address, & salutation

Interview with externship site at their request

Both student and the supervisor must complete necessary forms

JillThere are two ways to obtain an externship placement: (1) review Symplicity for a list of externships or (2) establish your own externship

HOW TO OBTAIN AN EXTERNSHIP PLACEMENTEstablish your own externship/create your own adventure!

Site must meet externship requirements and objectives: Student must perform substantive legal workStudent must be supervised by an attorneySite must be non-profit, legal aid, government, or judiciary

A new site must be approved by Professor Rosa or CSO

Both student and the supervisor must complete necessary forms

Jill

HOW TO OBTAIN AN EXTERNSHIP PLACEMENT**Once you accept an offer, it is expected that you will perform an externship at that site**

For Summer Placements, Spring Recruitment FairFriday, February 10, 20171:00pm-3:30pm4th Floor Atrium

Opportunity to speak in person with externship employersTake copies of your resumeProfessional dress required

JillI like this addition! Alleviates the problem we just had.

ACADEMIC COMPONENTIn addition to time working, time will be spent in the classroom (5 classes during regular academic year and 3 classes during summer semester)

Students doing first externship in Michigan enroll in seminar that meets during the academic semester/summer.

During Summer, students may select from multiple seminar times that meet both in East Lansing and Detroit.

Students doing first externship out-of-state enroll in online seminar.

Students who are enrolled in a second or third externship AND have completed an in-person seminar may enroll in an online Advanced Externship Seminar (after first) or Advanced+ Seminar (after second)

JennCheck schedule to avoid conflicts! Attendance at all sessions is required for a passing grade. Students with conflicts should consider interning instead of externing.The dates of the class for the spring 2017 externship seminar are January 18, Feb. 1, February 22, March 22, and April 12

ACADEMIC COMPONENT (cont.)

Externship Seminar Requirements:

Attendance is mandatory

On time submission of assignments for general seminarLearning Plan Reflective EssaysFinal PaperSupervisor evaluationStudent evaluationWeekly time logs

All of the requirements must be completed in order to receive a passing grade for the externship

Jenn

FORMS

Required Forms:Externship Enrollment Form (from student, includes registration for mandatory seminar sessions)Spring Externship Agreement Form (signed and submitted by supervisor indicating they have reviewed the Field Placement Supervisors Guide)Forms are turned into the CSO office. Once the forms are processed and approved, they are submitted to the registrars office.

Forms are available from the Career Services Office and on the Career Services website.

Complete and return no later than Wednesday, December 21, 2016.

JillPay attention to dates!!

FINANCIAL AIDExternship credit hours cost the same as all other law school credits.

King and Merit Scholarships cover an externshipNo minimum credit enrollment requirement

Other types of financial aid also cover an externshipYou must take a minimum of 3 credits to receive a federal loan in summer semester (Stafford loan or Gradplus)

John Garcia, The Office of Financial Aid517-432-6810garcia11@law.msu.edu

DEADLINES

Preferred Externship Deadline:As soon as you have your placement secured

Final Deadline (both forms): Wednesday, Dec. 21

No Exceptions!!

Jill

QUESTIONS?

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