Legal Definitions - extern

An extern is typically a student, often a law student, who works for a legal employer to gain practical experience, usually for academic credit rather than monetary compensation. This arrangement allows the student to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world legal setting under professional supervision. The term emphasizes that the student is working externally to their academic institution, integrating practical experience with their studies, and is generally not considered a paid employee.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of an extern:

• Example 1: Judicial Externship
  A third-year law student, Sarah, spends a semester working as an extern for a federal district court judge. Her responsibilities include conducting legal research on complex procedural issues, drafting memoranda analyzing motions filed by litigants, and observing court proceedings. She receives academic credit from her law school for this experience, which provides her with invaluable insight into the judicial decision-making process.

  This illustrates an extern because Sarah is a student gaining practical legal experience outside of her university classroom, working under the supervision of a judge, and receiving academic credit instead of a salary.

• Example 2: Public Interest Externship
  During her summer break, Mark, a second-year law student, secures an externship at a non-profit legal aid organization that provides free legal services to low-income individuals. He assists staff attorneys by interviewing clients, preparing initial drafts of legal documents for family law cases, and helping to organize case files. While he doesn't receive a salary, the experience counts towards a public interest certificate program at his law school.

  This demonstrates an externship as Mark is a student working for a legal employer (the non-profit) to gain hands-on experience, and his work contributes to his academic program rather than being a paid employment position.

• Example 3: Government Agency Externship
  Emily, a law student with an interest in environmental law, takes on an externship with the legal department of a state environmental protection agency. She spends her time researching regulations related to industrial waste disposal, assisting attorneys in preparing for administrative hearings, and reviewing permit applications. This practical exposure to environmental law in a governmental context is a required component of her specialized curriculum.

  This example highlights an extern because Emily is a student working for a government legal office, applying her legal studies in a practical setting, and fulfilling an academic requirement without being a salaried employee of the agency.