LEGAL EXTERNSHIPS – LAW 692

=================================================================================

LEGAL EXTERNSHIPS – LAW 692

Legal Externships offer students the opportunity to receive credit for pro bono work for a nonprofit organization, or judicial or governmental agency.  The definition “pro bono work” for purposes of the externship is consistent with that set forth for the Optional Transcript of Pro Bono Service and is described in these materials.

Approval of the externship is required prior to incurring the pro bono externship hours.  Any hours accrued before having the application approved will not count toward credit hours.

The student will receive 1 ungraded credit for each 60 hours of pro bono work up to a maximum of 6 credit hours (360 hours of pro bono work) for a student’s entire law school experience.  No more than 4 credits (240 hours) may be earned in any one semester. A student may enroll for up to a maximum 4 credits for placements in Champaign County, and up to 3 credits for placements elsewhere. There is a 120 work hour/2 credit per semester minimum requirement for each agency/organization that is strictly enforced.  No Credit Will Be Allowed Unless The Minimum Hour Limitation Is Satisfied.  If you are a joint program MBA/JD student, you cannot participate in this program during your first year.

Please note that the work must be legal in nature.  If you perform clerical and administrative work, this cannot count towards the hours available for externship credit.  To ensure that you are obtaining a meaningful educational experience, we will be periodically contacting your supervisors to discuss the nature and quality of work.

Basic Requirements / Information:

            ✦        The student must work a minimum of 120 hours for 2 credits

            ✦        The maximum credits the student can obtain for work outside of Champaign Co. is 3 credits

            ✦        The maximum credits the student can obtain for work inside of Champaign Co. is 4 credits

            ✦        The student must have an Externship Application approved prior to beginning any work

            ✦        Time Reports must be signed by both the student and his/her immediate supervisor

            ✦        Time Reports must be turned in every 2 weeks

            ✦        Time Reports that are more than 5 days past due will not be accepted

            ✦        The student must submit a Midterm electronically by the deadline given
 (see Midterm Self-Evaluation Link)

            ✦        The student must submit a Final electronically by the deadline given
 (see Final Examination Link)

            ✦        The student must check e-mail weekly*         – OR –

            ✦        If there is no access to e-mail during the placement, then the student must call in weekly

Note: If you work for more hours than the class credit requires, you may be eligible for a “Pro Bono Service” designation on your transcript.  Please see the separate materials pertaining to Optional Transcript Notation of Pro Bono Service, located in the College of Law’s Office of Career Planning & Professional Development.

*Communication is KEY to your receiving credit

Got Questions?  We've got answers!  Email us at extern@law.illinois.edu!

=====================================================================================

!!!!! IMPORTANT !!!!! 

You MUST have your Externship Application in and approved

BEFORE you begin working at your placement.

(Any hours accrued before having your application/placement approved

will not count toward your credit hours.) 

=====================================================================================