NEXT (Northwestern Externship Program) -- Externships in Law

NEXT 2009 | About NEXT | Alumni Host FAQs | Student FAQs | Past NEXT Photo Gallery

Please refer to the reply code below each externship when you are completeing your application.  Click here to return to the NEXT homepage.

California

Foster City, CA
Available: Opportunity to shadow the head of Licensing and Business Development for a $2B/yr life science tools (PCR, etc) business.  The applicant should expect to learn or be exposed to patent licensing activity, which would include an introduction to patents, contracts, finance and negotiation.  Depending on the interests of the applicant, the visit could include an introduction to some of the technologies sold by the company. Reply Code: LAW60

Van Nuys, CA
Available: Opportunity for a student to spend a day with a public defender. Meet the judge, the prosecutor, the entire court staff. Check out life in the L.A. County Jail Sheriff's Lock-up facilities. It's bound to be an eye-opener for you.  Reply Code: LAW52

Connecticut

West Haven, CT
Available: Opportunity for a student to experience a general practice of law, with the potential for court appearances.  Reply Code: LAW20

Florida

Miami, FL
Available: Opportunity for a student to learn the nuts and bolts of civil trial practice and how a judge makes determinations of law and fact.  Reply Code: LAW40

West Palm Beach, FL
Available: Opportunity for a student to visit a law office, observe paper flows and a meeting or hearing, if any scheduled.  Discuss with partner and attorneys law experience.  Community Association Representation.  Small Firm, thus, not "exciting" like in the movies, but real life experience.  Reply Code: LAW29

Illinois

Chicago, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow a law clerk to a federal district court judge.  The opportunities vary based on our schedule each day, but an extern may have the opportunity to observe various court proceedings including status calls, trial, or criminal proceedings.  The extern would also get to experience the way a judge's chambers runs and see what goes into the judicial decisionmaking process.  If someone is interested in attending law school this externship may give you an interesting insight into the world of law from the court's view. Reply Code: LAW02

Chicago, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow a trial attorney for a municipality.  Everyday is different; a typical day can range from being in the office writing motions or briefs to taking depositions, aruging motions, or being on trial.  Reply Code: LAW05

Chicago, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to experience the day to day workings of a felony trial room at the Cook County Criminal Courts Building at 2650 S. California.  Particularly, they would gain insight into the representation of indigent defendants.  Students will likely see defendants both in and out of custody, and be able interact with the attorneys.  Reply Code: LAW07

Chicago, IL
Available: Opportunity to shadow a plaintiff's personal injury attorney. Depending on the day, the student would have an opportunity to attend court and perhaps a deposition as well as the day to day duties of an attorney.  Reply Code: LAW16

Chicago, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to see a typical day of an in-house counsel for a consulting company. You'll be able to meet different attorneys, their clients and experience first hand how to juggle different stakeholders and interests.  Reply Code: LAW25

Chicago, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to observe first-hand the process that a union attorney encounters while (1) representing suburban police officers who are accused of misconduct; (2) negotiating labor contracts for subruban police departments; and (3) arguing cases before local cours and administrative agencies on behalf of suburban police officers.  Externs will be give an opportunity to attend actual hearings if scheduling permits.  Reply Code: LAW27

Chicago, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to see how a law office works and perhaps go to court.  Reply Code: LAW33

Chicago, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to be exposed to the basics of the patent prosecution process and the litigation process.  The extern also will be exposed to what life will be like as an IP attorney.  Reply Code: LAW35

Chicago, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to spend a day in the life of a litigation attorney.  I am a solo practitioner who recently started my own litigation boutique, after spending years as a partner in BigLaw.  The student will observe several aspects of legal practice that I encounter in my typical workday, from case work to client interaction to law practice management.  The student will also have the opportunity to gain perspective on the practice of law in different environments.  Reply Code: LAW37

Chicago, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow an alum at Alvarez & Marsal. I am in the M&A Transaction Advisory Consulting Department. My particular group is comprised typically of lawyers with a tax or finance background, many also have MBA's or LLM's in Taxation. However, we work with a variety of other cross industries within the firm, such as Business Consulting, Restructuring, Corporate Finance and others. Alvarez & Marsal offers a wide variety of inter-connected career choices all within the same firm. We are a global firm with over 5000 employees.Personally, I have a great deal of experience in mentoring career choices, as I was educated with a MBA, JD, LL.M in Taxation, and have worked in financial derivatives &  a combined effort centralized in M&A tax / corporate law.  Reply Code: LAW38

Chicago, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow a partner in a small boutique law firm.  The extern interested in the practice of law would have the opportunity to go to court and observe the practice of law.  Some of the activities might include observation of hearings, arbitrations, settlement negotiations and trials.  Also the general operations of a small law firm as opposed to a large corporate like law firm, in which the individual partners like myself have a very hands on practice in terms of management, marketing, operations, etc.  An externship with my firm would be most beneficial to a student who has an interest in the practice of law but perhaps has not been exposed to the legal field.  Someone who might even be interested in a solo practice.  A small law firm is just one example of legal practice.  Reply Code: LAW46

Chicago, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow a Senior Paralegal at Jenner & Block.  I am able to offer a day at a major law firm. The focus of the program can be as broad or specific as the student desires. In the past, I have had attorneys, paralegals, project assistants and title company representatives speak to students about various areas of the law (including real estate, corporate, estate planning, litigation, and intellectual property) and the tasks associated with each level of a law frms operations. A brief tour of downtown Chicago's state, federal and county building locations is also included. In short, students will be exposed to a wide range of topics hosted by myself and Jenner & Block personnel. I very much enjoyed my hosting experience last year, and look forward to participating again.  Reply Code: LAW57

Evanston, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow an Administrative Law Judge with the Social Security Administration. I hear cases involving claimants seeking disability benefits. You would be able to sit in on administrative hearings. The hearings involve medical forensic issues so there would be health issues as well as legal issues. Good opportunity for students interested in either law or medicine.  Reply Code: LAW012

Libertyville, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to watch a divorce lawyer in action. Externship will take place in court or my office, depending upon the day.  Reply Code: LAW18

Markham, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to observe both misdemeanor ansd felony courtrooms at work.  These are criminal proceedings.   The "ride-along" includes observing trials, preliminary hearings, and bond hearings.  The accompanying assistant public defender would be able to offer commentary on what the extern sees and answer questions.  When possible, the extern would be introduced to prosecutors and judges who could also answer questions about their work in the criminal justice system.  Those who are easily shocked or disgusted by man's alleged inhumantiy to man need not apply.     Reply Code: LAW56

Schaumburg, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to visit PepsiAmericas.  You will have the opportunity to better understand the scope and demands of several in-house legal roles at a $5 billion organization with operations in the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean.  We would provide insight into the types of matters we handle, how our roles differ from those in a law firm environment and how the legal function interacts with the broader organization.  A building tour, branded goodies, discounted beverages and the chance to ask an unlimited number of questions would also be provided.  Reply Code: LAW59

Skokie, IL
Available: Opportunity for a student to work in the suburban felony division of the circuit court. The majority of the day would be spent in the courtroom, observing the attorneys, assisting in the investigation and preperation of cases for trial and communicating with clients.  Reply Code: LAW19

Indiana

Indianapolis, IN
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow an in house legal counsel for an intercollegiate athletic conference.  A student would see what a typical day is like in an athletic conference office.  The office is made up of only 11 people, so I tend to work in many different areas of athletic administration, including NCAA compliance, all legal issues, administration of league sports and marketing and fundraising.  An extern would have an opportunity to learn about a more nontraditional legal career path.  Reply Code: LAW30

Indianapolis, IN
Available: Opportunity for a student to experience such a broad-based experience as the practice of law - specifically litigation.  That experience potentially includes teleconferences, meetings, and hearings.  Reply Code: LAW31

Indianapolis, IN
Available: Opportunity for a student to visit The Center Township Small Claims Court, which is located in the City-County Building in Indianapolis, IN.  The court has the largest caseload in the state, topping 15,000 this year.  The court docket includes evictions, creditor-debtor issues, contract disputes, personal injury cases, and other claims.  The disputes are all civil and are under the jurisdictional limit of 6,000 dollars.  An extern would observe the court proceedings, research various legal issues that arise.  The court is a fast-paced environment and would allow a student an up-close view of small claims court litigation.  Court hours are 9:00 am - 4:00 pm daily, with the exception of 8:30 am - 2:30 pm on Tuesdays.  Parking is not provided.  Reply Code: LAW43

Lafayette, IN
Available: Opportunity for a student to gain insight into criminal forensic psychology.  Broad practice in criminal forensic psychology: pre-trial competencies; not guilty by reason of insanity; sentencing; mental health & the law issues.  Reply Code: LAW50

Massachusetts 

Boston, MA
Available:  Opportunity for a student to experience a day at a large, prestigious, national law firm in Boston, Massachusetts. As a third year associate in the Corporate Department (Tax and Estate Planning), I will expose the student to every day tasks such as client meetings, meeting other attorneys, reviewing projects of interest, discussing life at a large law firm and providing advice to the student as he/she plans his/her path to law school. I will also offer myself up as a mentor to the student in case he/she has any questions or would like law school or career advice in the future.  Reply Code: LAW01

New Jersey

Bridgewater, New Jersey
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow the General Counsel of the Company - individual will assist me in drafting and reviewinglegal contracts, drafting resolutions and exposure to general corporate, intellectual property and securities law.  Reply Code: LAW06

New York

New York, NY
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow a staff attorney in a community-based holistic public defender office in Harlem.  I do a mix of criminal cases, civil rights cases, and community initiatives. Depending on the day, a student could expect to accompany me to court, attend a community meeting on police abuse, criminal justice participation, or re-entry programs, meet with clients, either in the office or the community, initiate a surrender at the precinct, do a deposition, interview witnesses, or investigate crime scenes. This is a unique office and great experience for anyone interested in criminal justice, law, social work, public interest, or community organizing.  Reply Code: LAW04

New York, NY
Available: Opportunity for a student to accompany a litigator/trial lawyer to court or to proceedings which include depositions, motion argument, court conferences. depending on lawyer's schedule, work could be in any of the five boroughs of new york city. work involves representation of plaintiffs in personal injury, medical malpractice , labor law, product liability actions. this internship is not necessarily for a student who wants an assignment that will keep them busy all day. it usually involves a few hours in the morning,when court proceedings are more often in session.  Reply Code: LAW26

New York, NY
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow an attorney practicing transactional (i.e. NOT litigation) entertainment work.  Reply Code: LAW39

New York, NY
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow a civil litigator, which means I handle lawsuits for individuals and companies, both on behalf of those who bring suits (plaintiffs) and also defendants (who are sued).  My cases cover a wide range of areas of law, including breach of contract, business disputes, intellectual property, employment, some criminal law, Civil Rights, etc.  The extern might watch me take or defend a deposition, argue a motion in court, prepare motion papers or discovery, and so forth, depending upon when he or she would visit my law firm.  I should also note that I started my career as a local prosecutor (Assistant District Attorney)in Brooklyn.  I would try to make the externship day a learning and hands-on experience for the student, and, if possible, will attempt to work out the scheduling so a court appearance or deposition is a possiblity.  I should also note that I have a week-long arbitration scheduled for NYC in May, so if the extern comes then, he or she could hopefully attend that and watch me and my adversary handle the hearing.  I need to clear this with my firm's Managing Partner, but I don't anticipate any significant problem.  My law firm is located in midtown Manhattan, about a five-minute walk from Grand Central Station.  Reply Code: LAW53

New York, NY
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow a senior partner in the corporate department of a 100+ attorney law firm in New York City -- would involve overseeing a typical day's activities, including:  client phone calls, transaction negotiations, drafting of documents, law firm administrative decisions, internal meetings, etc.  Would create a realistic law firm experience for an undergraduate considering attending law school.  Reply Code: LAW58

North Carolina

Raleigh, NC
Available: Opportunity for a student to experience in land use law and local government regulation.  attending city council meetings, lobbying elected officials, land use planning for new shopping centers, golf courses, subdivisions.  Reply Code: LAW34

Ohio

Columbus, OH
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow in house counsel for one of Ohio's executive agencies (The Department of Administrative Services).  I encounter a wide variety of legal issues ranging from public records requests submitted by the public to counseling Department of Administrative Services employees.  The Department of Administrative Servies is the business arm of the state, and encompasses human resources for all state employees, the state architect, state purchasing, the office of information technology, the equal opportunity division, and collective bargaining.  As legal counsel, I work with each of the divisions, with an emphasis on the Equal Opportunity Division.  Being the business arm of the state, DAS provides a good sampling of what working in state government/public service is like.  Being an in house counsel is a different kind of practice than working in a firm or as a litigator (I've done both in prior positions).  If a student has an interest in a particular substantive area of government (state purchasing, equal opportunity, human resources), I can tailor our day to provide exposure to that interest.  Reply Code: LAW03

Columbus, OH
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow a staff attorney for a judge in a trial-level court (general division).  In addition to  learning about the daily responsibilities of a staff attorney (also called a law clerk in some federal courts), the student will observe courtroom proceedings and interact with court staff.
Reply Code: LAW10

Oregon

Portland, OR
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow a judge in Portland, OR who specializes in Juvenile and Family Court, specifically child welfare cases. My cases involve families who are dysfunctional in many ways--issues of child abuse, neglect,substance abuse, sex abuse, mental illness and criminality are pervasive.A student extern would see lawyers,probation officers, and social workers present cases to the court, and(time permitting) discuss cases with the judge. This externship would be of interest to students considereing careers in law,social work, psychology or criminal justice.  Reply Code: LAW44

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA
Available: Opportunity for a student to spend a day at the office of white collar criminal defense attorney, specializing in federal investigations, including antitrust and international cartel inquests.  Reply Code: LAW32

Texas

Austin, TX
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow a lawyer in private practice in Central Texas.  My primary legal experience is in civil litigation, probate and estate administration, and family law.  I am in the process of opening my own law firm in the aforementioned areas of law.  In addition, I will be working in the area of criminal law.  Reply Code: LAW15

Houston, TX
Available: Opportunity for a student to visit a full-service commercial law firm that represents businesses in practically all areas they require: real estate, bankruptcy, finance, litigation, tax, estate planning and probate, and mergers and acquisitions.I run our litigation section and we handle a wide variety of business disputes involving contracts, fraud, real estate, breaches of fiduciary duties, disputes between partners and shareholders, employment claims, probate disputes, and probably other categories.  On a day-to-day basis I engage in writing, telephone coummunications, meetings, analysis, and strategic thinking with my associates and clients.  I am often appearing in court, taking depositions, conducting mediations, and meeting with clients, experts, witnesses, and opposing counsel.  Reply Code: LAW51

Virginia

Arlington, VA (D.C. area)
Available: Opportunity for a student to experience database maintenance, litigation analysis, teaching (contracts).  Reply Code: LAW36

Richmond, VA
Available: Opportunity for a student to experience the inner workings of a law school.  Observe preparation for and lecture of a law school class.  Observe meeting with students regarding coursework, career advice, etc.  Participate in discussions regarding on-going academic research and writing.  If its the right day -- may even get to attend a faculty/committee meeting.  Reply Code: LAW48

Washington

Kent, WA
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow a recently elected Superior Court (trial) judge. An extern interested in the legal field would have the opportunity to observe whatever is happening in a civil court on the day of the visit. The judge and bailiff would explain the nature of the proceedings.  Kent, Washington is about 45 minutes drive south of Seattle.  Reply Code: LAW17

Seattle, WA
Available: Opportunity for a student to visit my youth advocacy clinic class and possibly related court hearings.  I could arrange for the student to watch juvenile court hearings and to meet lawyers practicing in that court. There might be an opportunity to attend other policy-related meetings in which I participate concerning public defense and the justice system. These could include meetings concerning the right to counsel, problems in the truancy court system, and issues about juvenile detention practices. My class meets Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  Depending on the student's interests, we could try to schedule the day to accommodate those.  Reply Code: LAW11

Washington, DC

Washington, DC
Available: Opportunity for a student to learn what it is like to be a trial lawyer in the agency that serves as the law firm for the United States government.  I hosted a student in 2008, and believe we both found the experience useful.  Reply Code: LAW09

Washington, DC
Available: Opportunity for a student to sit with a Magistrate Judge in a criminal assignment in the Superior Court in Washington, DC.  The intern can watch actual pretrial detention hearings up close and can talk to the judge and the lawyers about the law and the proceedings.   Reply Code: LAW22

Washington, DC
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow a first year attorney at a major law firm in D.C.  I project that a day in March would include several meetings, communication with clients, preparing documents and interacting with other attorneys.  Depending on the law, the extern may have the opportunity to participate in the Legal Aid Clinic.  Reply Code: LAW23

Wisconsin

Franklin, WI
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow an attorney who specializes in collateral recovery and debt collection does on a daily basis.  Reply Code: LAW49 

Milwaukee, WI
Available: Opportunity for a student to observe the banking and bankruptcy practice group in a mid-sized law firm.  Reply Code: LAW08

Wausau, WI
Available: Opportunity to shadow an alum who manages the relationship with outside law firms, measuring their performance and auditing their work.  Reply Code: LAW47

International

London, England
Available: Opportunity for a student to shadow a New York trained lawyer working in the London office of a US law firm.  During the day, an extern would experience the typical day-to-day jobs of a corporate lawyer - calls with clients, drafting agreements, negotiating with other lawyers, meetings with partners, etc. Reply Code: LAW42

Rawalpindi-(Punjab) Pakistan
Available: Opportunity for a student to see how the Judicial system in Pakistan works especially during these testing times when un precedented lawyers movement has caught the attention of entire world.  Reply Code: LAW14

São Paulo, Brazil
Available: Opportunity to experience a firm that provides services related to cross-border transactions and assistance to international clients doing business in Brazil. the candidate may expect to see theday-by-day operation of a law firm providing international services.  The candidate should prepare to stay at least 1 week in Brazil and to have a minimum knowledge of portuguese, although all firm members are fluent in English.  Reply Code: LAW24