Extern Spotlight
This semester, I have had the privilege of being an extern with the Public Defender’s Office. Through this experience, I have conducted legal research and writing, drafted motions, and observed trials—allowing me to gain a better understanding of the criminal law process and assist clients. I have learned so much from the supportive attorneys in the office, who have shown what it means to zealously advocate for clients during some of the most challenging moments in their lives. Their dedication and compassion have inspired the type of advocacy style I hope to embody: one rooted in empathy, understanding, and a commitment to justice and fairness.
Externships provide the opportunity for students to earn academic credit while performing legal work off campus under the supervision of an attorney or judge.
An externship is a semester-long work experience that provides students academic credit and practical legal experience off campus. FSU Law has one of the most extensive externship programs in the country. Students can choose from more than 150 placements working with judges and lawyers in criminal, civil, governmental, public interest, corporate, and other areas of law. Externships are available three semesters each year in Tallahassee, across Florida and the U.S., and at select international placements.
Students are supervised by experienced attorneys or judges and receive training and support appropriate to the program from the clinical faculty. Students learn the role of an attorney or judicial clerk while working in various legal settings and learning legal skills.
Externship Programs
Appellate Externships
Appellate externships give students experience with matters that continue after a trial court decision. Students may review trial records, research issues on appeal, assist with briefs, and become familiar with appellate procedure and motion practice.
These placements are particularly useful for students who want to strengthen their legal research, analysis, and writing skills. Opportunities may include appellate work with offices such as the Florida Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Public Defender.
Students should visit the FSU College of Law Externships site on Canvas for the most current information and to apply.
Corporate Counsel Externships
Corporate counsel externships provide students opportunities to work with in-house legal departments and gain firsthand experience with corporate legal practice.
Placements expose students to the legal needs of businesses and may involve areas such as transactions, compliance, contracts, regulation, and corporate governance. These externships are especially valuable for students interested in understanding the role of lawyers working inside corporations.
FSU Law works with corporate legal departments in Florida and throughout the Southeast.
Students should visit the FSU College of Law Externships site on Canvas for the most current information and to apply.
Criminal Justice Externships
Criminal justice externships place students in prosecution and public defense offices in Tallahassee, throughout Florida, and in other locations. Depending on the placement and number of credits, students may assist attorneys with research and case preparation or gain more extensive litigation experience.
These externships are especially valuable for students interested in litigation and provide opportunities to develop oral advocacy, legal writing, investigation, research, and case-management skills.
Select Placements in Tallahassee
- Office of the State Attorney
- Office of the Public Defender
- Office of the U.S. Attorney
- Office of the Federal Public Defender
- Innocence Project of Florida
- Regional Conflict Counsel
State attorney and public defender placements are also available throughout Florida, with some opportunities available outside the state.
Students should visit the FSU College of Law Externships site on Canvas for the most current information and to apply.
Environmental Externships
Each year, many students take advantage of the highly respected Externship Program offered by the Center for Environmental, Energy, and Land Use Law, which includes many extern opportunities in the fields of Environmental and Land Use Law.
Students, please visit the FSU College of Law Externships site on Canvas for the most current information and to apply.
Government Externships
Federal Government
Students working with federal agencies can gain experience in many areas of law, including litigation, investigation, public policy, legal research, and drafting.
Select Placements
- Army, Air Force, and Navy JAG
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- U.S. Department of Justice
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Internal Revenue Service
- Securities and Exchange Commission
State Government
FSU Law's location in Florida's capital provides extensive opportunities for students to work with state agencies. Depending on the placement, students may gain experience in litigation, administrative law, regulatory matters, compliance, transactions, or government counseling.
Local Government
Local government externships expose students to the wide range of legal issues handled by cities and counties, including land use, environmental regulation, contracts, employment, taxation, public safety, utilities, and other matters affecting local communities.
Opportunities are available with local governments in Tallahassee and elsewhere in Florida.
Students should visit the FSU College of Law Externships site on Canvas for the most current information and to apply.
International Externships
Each year there is an opportunity for students to further their education and gain practical experience with international legal issues by enrolling in international externships.
Students may receive academic credit while performing supervised legal work for government agencies, nonprofit organizations, international tribunals, and organizations addressing issues that cross national borders.
Opportunities may involve subjects such as human rights, environmental matters, and international trade. Students may also work with tribunals or nonprofit organizations located in other countries.
International placements have included organizations in locations such as London and Chiang Mai.
Students should visit the FSU College of Law Externships site on Canvas for the most current information and to apply.
Judicial Externships
In these programs, students work with judges and professional clerks while learning to carry out judicial clerking responsibilities. Students may be placed in diverse judicial settings, including the Florida Supreme Court, federal trial courts, state appellate and trial courts, and with Administrative Law Judges.
Students generally draft memoranda, conduct legal research, and have the chance to observe trials and proceedings. These externships are great opportunities for students who want to improve their legal research and writing skills and who wish to gain first-hand knowledge of the judicial system.
Select Placements
- U.S. Circuit Court
- U.S. District Court
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court
- U.S. Immigration Court
- Florida Supreme Court
- Florida District Courts of Appeal
- Florida Circuit Courts
- Florida Division of Administrative Hearings
- Florida Public Employees Relations Commission
Students should visit the FSU College of Law Externships site on Canvas for the most current information and to apply.
Public Interest Externships
Public interest externships give students opportunities to work directly with individual clients under the supervision of experienced attorneys. Students may develop skills in interviewing, counseling, identifying legal issues, planning cases, and assisting clients with their legal needs.
These placements can be particularly useful for students interested in areas such as family law, immigration, bankruptcy, estate planning, elder law, employment, personal injury, health and education law, real estate, and other client-centered practices.
Select Placements
- Legal Services of North Florida
- Legal Services of North Florida Low-Income Tax Clinic
- Disability Rights Florida
- Southern Poverty Law Center
- Earthjustice
- Americans for Immigrant Justice
- Florida Council Against Sexual Violence
Students should visit the FSU College of Law Externships site on Canvas for the most current information and to apply.
