Externship Program

At DePaul Law, Chicago’s legal community helps you turn theory into practice.  As an extern, you earn academic credit while working in an approved legal setting, engaging in the kind of research, writing, analysis and professional judgment attorneys use in practice every day. 

With more than 160 externship opportunities across a wide range of practice settings, you can work with judges, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, private law firms, corporate legal departments and other approved sites. 

These placements help you see how lawyers work, build professional connections and enter the legal job market with a clearer understanding of where your own professional path may lead. 

Externs work with a dedicated site supervisor who guides the fieldwork experience and provides feedback throughout the semester. The required companion seminar, taught by seasoned practitioners, helps you connect your fieldwork to legal ethics, professionalism and the daily practice of law through case rounds, facilitated discussions and directed readings. Together, they help you develop the professional identity that you will carry into your legal career. 

Where Students Extern 

DePaul Law externs work in a wide range of legal settings.  Recent sample placements include: 

What You’ll Do

• Work on legal matters at an approved externship site
• Learn from a supervising attorney, judge or other qualified site supervisor
• Receive feedback and guidance throughout the semester
• Develop legal research, writing, analysis and professional judgment
• Observe legal practice in courts, agencies, organizations, firms and corporate legal departments
• Explore practice areas and professional settings before graduation
• Build practical experience and professional connections for the legal job market
• Connect your fieldwork to legal ethics, professionalism and the daily practice of law through the required externship seminar

Office Hours: Monday 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM