Students may apply to only one externship program in any given semester.
Corporate Counsel & Compliance
Placements are available in the offices of corporate general counsel offices, university counsel offices, and university compliance offices.
Students work one to three days per week in the offices where they are placed, under the supervision of a licensed attorney. They will also attend meetings with the program director, participate in group discussions, and submit reflective essays throughout the semester.
The Corporate Counsel & Compliance Externship Program is directed by Assistant Director of Career Services Nicole Hughes.
Government & Public Interest
Placements are available in both state and federal government offices and at public interest organizations.
Students typically work one to two days per week in the offices where they are placed, under the supervision of a licensed attorney. They will also attend class sessions and submit reflective essays throughout the semester.
The Government & Public Interest Externship Program is directed by Assistant Dean for Public Interest Law Glory McLaughlin.
Government & Public Interest Externship Application Form
Judicial
Placements are available in both state and federal judicial chambers.
Students typically work one to two days per week in the offices where they are placed, under the supervision of a licensed attorney. They will also attend class sessions and submit reflective essays throughout the semester.
The Judicial Externship Program is taught by Adjunct Professor Stephanie Avant (UA Law ’20).
Judicial Externship Application Form
Washington DC Externship
LAW 733 | 6-12 Hours
Students participating in federal externships obtain or enhance valuable practical skills by working full-time in Congressional or federal executive branch placements. These skills include legal research and writing, knowledge of substantive and procedural law, appreciation of professional responsibilities, and knowledge of the federal legislative or administrative system, among others. Students will also complete a classroom component and submit written coursework related to the experience.
All externs will also take the accompanying 2-hour course, Legislative and Political Writing (Law 638), taught by Alabama Law alumni living in DC and offered specifically for students participating in the externship program. The externship placement plus this companion course allows students to earn a total of 14 credit hours for the semester.
Both the externship and the associated course help students fulfill the requirements of the Law School’s Certificate in Governmental Affairs.
Examples of past placements include:
- AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees)
- CEJIL (Center for Justice and International Law)
- Department of Defense
- Department of Justice
- Department of Labor
- Department of Transportation
- Department of State
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Federal Trade Commission
- House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform
- Human Rights Campaign
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Office of the White House Counsel
- Office of Senator Katie Britt
- Office of Representative Terri Sewell
- Securities and Exchange Commission
- Senate Budget Committee
- Senate Legislative Counsel
- Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
- Senate Judiciary Committee
The Washington DC Externship Program is directed by Assistant Dean Megan Walsh. The Legislative and Political Writing course is taught by Adjunct Instructors Michael Taylor, John Cox, Johnjerica Hodge, and Clint Brown.