Discover the future of law through the Texas A&M School of Law Externship Programs. Our externship programs offer highly trained, academically accomplished students the chance to apply advanced legal principles in real-world settings ranging from government entities to law firms and corporate legal departments. Foster relationships with future legal professionals passionate about applying their knowledge beyond the classroom and explore the impact A&M students can bring to your organization.
The Corporate/In-House program is designed to offer students practical experience working alongside counsel in the legal and compliance departments of corporations and non-profit organizations. Under a supervisor’s mentorship, students work to contribute and assist on ongoing legal matters and projects and in turn gain hands-on experience that can deepen their understanding of the role of in-house counsel and develop their skills and substantive knowledge.
Program Requirements
Students commit to working between 8 to 40 hours /week, which can vary depending on whether a part- or full-time externship is offered, and participate in a seminar that is tailored for students working in in-house settings. The seminar is taught by a current General Counsel attorney. It is designed to complement the fieldwork experience and explores the functions of in-house legal departments and addresses common legal and ethical challenges faced by corporate and non-profit counsel. While the seminar is not graded separately, attendance and participation are required.
To learn more about the program’s requirements, you can review the Texas A&M Externship Programs Overview.
The Criminal law Externship Program is designed to offer students practical experience working alongside counsel in any criminal law setting- whether in prosecution or defense. Under a supervisor’s mentorship, students work to contribute and assist on ongoing legal matters and projects to develop their skills. It is also expected that while gaining practical and hands-on experience, they will deepen their understanding of the mission and operations of the host placement, including the attorney-client relationship, and the range of skills necessary for effective lawyering.
Program Requirements
Students commit to working between 8 to 40 hours/week, which can vary depending on whether a part- or full-time externship is offered, and participate in a seminar that is tailored for students working in criminal law. The seminar is designed to complement the fieldwork experience and explores concepts key to practicing criminal law and fostering their professional development, and invites guest speakers to explore issues attorneys face in the criminal law context. While the seminar is not graded separately, attendance and participation are required. To learn more about the program’s requirements, you can review the Texas A&M Externship Programs Overview.
Sample Placement Organizations
Externs have worked with:
The Civil Law Firm Program is designed to offer students practical experience working alongside counsel in the private law firm setting. Under a supervisor’s mentorship, students work to contribute and assist on ongoing legal matters and projects to develop their skills. It is also expected that while gaining practical and hands-on experience, they will deepen their understanding of the attorney-client relationship, how a law firm operates and the range of skills necessary for effective lawyering.
Program Requirements
Students commit to working between 8 to 40 hours/week, which can vary depending on whether a part- or full-time externship is offered, and participate in a seminar that is tailored for students working in a law firm setting. The seminar is designed to complement the fieldwork experience and explores concepts to foster their professional development and invites guest speakers to explore issues relevant to practicing in a law firm context. While the seminar is not graded separately, attendance and participation are required. To learn more about the program’s requirements, you can review the Texas A&M Externship Programs Overview.
Sample Placement Organizations
Firms who have recently hosted students include:
The Judicial Externship Program is designed to offer students practical experience working alongside judges, staff attorneys and clerks in the chambers of state or federal judges. Under the judge’s mentorship, students have the opportunity to observe matters before the court and perform work to contribute and assist on ongoing legal assignments to develop their skills. It is also expected that while gaining practical and hands-on experience, they will deepen their understanding of the role of the judiciary and judicial process, and the range of skills necessary for effective lawyering.
Program Requirements
Students commit to working between 8 to 40 hours/week, which can vary depending on whether a part- or full-time externship is offered, and participate in a seminar that is tailored for students working in the courts. The seminar, taught by a judge and/or career staff attorney, supports the students’ fieldwork experience, discusses the role of the courts and topics to foster the students’ professional development. While the seminar is not graded separately, attendance and participation are required. To learn more about the program’s requirements, you can review the Texas A&M Externship Programs Overview.
Sample Placement Organizations
Externs have worked with:
The Public Interest/Government Externship Program is designed to offer students practical experience working alongside attorneys in various public interest organizations and governmental entities at the federal, state and local level. Under a supervisor’s mentorship, students work to contribute and assist on ongoing legal matters and projects to develop their skills. It is also expected that while gaining practical and hands-on experience, they will deepen their understanding of the host organization’s mission, operations and issues they face and the range of skills necessary for effective lawyering.
Program Requirements
Students commit to working between 8 to 40 hours/week, which can vary depending on whether a part- or full-time externship is offered, and participate in a seminar that is tailored for students working in public service. The seminar supports the students’ fieldwork experience and explores concepts key to fostering the student’s professional development and invites guest speakers to explore issues relevant to practice in the public service context. While the seminar is not graded separately, attendance and participation are required. To learn more about the program’s requirements, you can review the Texas A&M Externship Programs Overview.
Sample Placement Organizations
Externs have worked with:
Interested in creating an externship opportunity with Texas A&M School of Law? We welcome you to reach out to our program director. Join in shaping the next generation of legal professionals while adding value to your organization.
If you would like to start the process, please complete the attached Questionnaire when contacting the Director.
