Judicial externships
What is a judicial externship?
Students work in the chambers of a judge one day a week during the semester or full-time during the summer for academic credit. Externs work alongside the judges and their judicial clerks on research and writing assignments that include any substantive area of law. Students typically engage in drafting memos on motions for transfer, bench memos in preparation for oral argument, court orders on a variety of motions, and full or partial opinions. The judges and their clerks provide detailed feedback. Judges offer the opportunity to observe hearings and participate in meetings. These may include oral arguments, settlement negotiations, pre-trial hearings, trials, voir dire, opening and closing statements, sentencing hearings, naturalization ceremonies.
Both federal and state courts in Indiana host externs during the semester and summer. We have partners with Circuit Court, District Court, Magistrate Court Judges, and Bankruptcy judges. In the State courts, we have partners with the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Tax Court, trial courts, and specialized courts.
How do students apply for it?
Contact the Career Services Office (lcareers@indiana.edu) to start the process.
Who is eligible and when?
All students who have finished their 1L year are generally eligible to work in judicial chambers from their 1L summer onward. In the summer, students typically have a wide choice of locations. During the semester, students work within a manageable commute from the law school.
Specialized programs:
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit: 2-3 externship positions open each spring for 3Ls.
- Summer programs:
- Just the Beginning Program places diversity students in a summer judicial internship mainly in federal and state appellate courts. The program is open to 1Ls and 2Ls.
- Rural Justice Initiative (open to 1Ls). Information can be found here.
For more information:
Contact the Career Services office at lcareers@indiana.edu.