Corporate Counsel Externship I

Corporate Counsel Externship I

Credit Hours: 3-12 hours
S/U Course
Offered: Fall and Spring
Open to: 2L and 3L

Corporate Counsel Externship I gives students the opportunity to develop critical practice skills by working one-on-one with practicing lawyers at some of the nation’s leading companies. This innovative course combines a practical, skills-based class taught by experienced in-house counsel with externships in legal departments of a wide range of companies and nonprofit organizations. Companies participating in the program include Aflac, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, FedEx and Piedmont Healthcare, among many others. In today’s environment, many employers look for recent law graduates who are “practice ready.” This course helps prepare graduates to meet those expectations. Another valuable aspect of the program is that it helps students explore career options.

The weekly two-hour class supplements the work experience with readings, written reflections, and practical skill assignments. The class teaches students both substantiative law in key “in-demand” practice areas and the soft skills needed to be successful lawyers. Each semester, approximately 10 guest speakers share their expertise with the class. Even though the class is taught from an in-house perspective, students learn practice skills that will be useful in many practice settings. Students can earn 3 credits (6-7 hours of fieldwork per week or 84 hours) or 4 credits (9-10 hours per week or 126 hours). 3Ls with a cumulative GPA of at least 83.00 can earn up to 12 credits. Students apply for individual externships and must secure an eligible externship to be admitted to the course. Externships are posted each semester in BearBoard with an application deadline in early October for spring externships and early March for fall externships.

See Course Catalog for official description.