Please Note:
The Externship Program is not
accepting applications at this time.
Please check back for future deadline information.
What is an Externship?
An externship is a learning experience outside of the classroom. Students can earn up to ten credits toward graduation through Gonzaga University School of Law's Externship Program. Students earn academic credit by working in “field placements” for judges and practicing attorneys in public interest law offices. Students earn credit by practicing law.
- Students can enroll in externships during fall, spring, and summer semesters.
- Externship placements, or “field placements,” are available in the Spokane area, across the state, and across the world.
- Students can enroll in the externship program for a maximum of two semesters.
- Placements are for one semester only, except in pre-arranged circumstances.
- Students must be enrolled in, or have completed, 60 credits OR be exceptional students who have completed one year of law school and possess sufficient skills as determined by the Externship director. Third year students receive preference for placements in the program. Second year law students may be approved on a limited basis; criteria for this determination include grade point average and requested placement.
- The ABA prohibits students being paid for any externship work that earns credit toward graduation.
Where do Externs Work?
Students work in courts and public law offices, such as prosecutors’ offices, public defenders’ offices, or in public law firms serving people without resources to afford legal assistance. Judges’ chambers provide field placement opportunities for students interested in experiencing a judicial clerkship. A sampling of Gonzaga Law School placements include:
Within Spokane and Surrounding Area:
- United States District Court of Eastern Washington
- United States Bankruptcy Court
- United State Bankruptcy Trustee
- Washington Court of Appeals, Division III
- Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings
- Spokane County Superior Court
- Spokane County District Court
- Kootenai County District Court
- First Judicial District of Idaho
- Federal Defender of Eastern Washington and Idaho
- United States Attorney’s Office
- Spokane County Public Defender
- Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office
- Spokane Counsel for Defense
- Spokane City Prosecutor’s Office
- Washington State Attorney General’s Office
- Washington State Department of Social & Health Services
- Center for Environmental Law & Policy
- SIRTI
- Center for Justice
- Unemployment Law Project
- World Relief
- Team Child
Outside of Spokane:
- Ada County Prosecutor’s Office (Boise, ID)
- Alaska Public Defender Agency (Anchorage, AK)
- Superior Court (Anchorage, AK)
- Armenian Assembly of America (Washington, DC)
- Benton County Superior Court (Kennewick, WA)
- County Public Defender (Clarkston, WA)
- City of Seattle Attorney's Office (Seattle, WA)
- City of Tucson Public Defender (Tucson, AZ)
- Columbia Legal Services (Seattle, WA)
- Counsel for the Accused (Seattle, WA)
- Davis County Prosecutor’s Office (Farmington, UT)
- Davis County Public Defender (Farmington, UT)
- DuPage County State’s Attorney Office (Wheaton, IL)
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Seattle, WA)
- Federal Public Defender – Northern District of Texas (Dallas, TX)
- Federal Public Defender – Western District of Washington (Seattle, WA)
- Friends of the San Juans (Friday Harbor, WA)
- Fourth District Court of Utah (Provo, UT)
- Issaquah Municipal Court (Issaquah, WA)
- Jackson County Circuit Court (Medford, OR)
- King County Superior Court (Seattle, WA)
- Lake County District Attorney’s Office (Lakeview, OR)
- Municipality of Anchorage (Anchorage, AK)
- National Conference of State Legislatures (Denver, CO)
- National Labor Relations Board (Los Angeles, CA)
- Second District Court of Utah (Bountiful, UT)
- Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office (Everett, WA)
- Third District Juvenile Court of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT)
- Union County District Attorney (La Grande, OR)
- United States Attorney's Office (Salt Lake City, UT)
- United States Department of Justice (Washington, DC)
- United States District Court for the District of Nevada (Las Vegas, NV)
- United States District Court of Eastern Washington (Tri-Cities, WA)
- United States District Court for the District of Oregon (Portland, OR)
- United States District Court for the District of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT)
- University of Washington Tech Transfer (Seattle, WA)
- Whatcom County Prosecutor's Office (Bellingham, WA)
- Washington State Court of Appeals, Division I (Seattle, WA)
- Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings (Seattle, WA)
- Washington State Supreme Court (Olympia, WA)
- Washoe County Senior Services (Reno, NV)
- Weber County Public Defender (Ogden, UT)
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Why Should I be an Extern?
- Learn lawyering through hands-on training under the direction of sitting judges and practicing attorneys
- Work directly with a Judge or attorney as a mentor
- Gain greater insight into the legal system
- Develop professional skills
- Create or expand a professional network
How Do I Become an Extern?
The externship office is available to assist you in obtaining an externship placement, or you can apply directly to your choice of placements.
Regardless of whether you plan to arrange your own placement, you must still apply to the Externship Director to be admitted to the Externship Program for each semester. To apply, submit the completed paperwork to Robbie McMillian, Externship Program Coordinator.
Application Process
- Complete and sign an externship application, obtainable below or in hard copy from the Program Coordinator.
- Submit application, a copy of your resume, and a writing sample to the Program Coordinator.
- The Externship Director must approve each application for each semester.
- Space is limited each semester, so submit your application early.
What are the Requirements to Receive Externship Credit?
- Successful completion of at least 60 hours of work per “field” credit enrolled. Externship field credits are graded on a pass/fail basis.
- Successful completion of a required, one-credit externship seminar course. The seminar course is graded on a letter grade basis.
- Successful completion of a reflective learning component, through regular submission of journals.
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Rule 9 Limited License to Practice Law
Some externship placements, such as in the prosecutors’ and public defenders’ offices, that provide students with in-court experiences, require Admission to Practice Rule 9 status (a limited license to practice law).
- Only students who have completed 60 credits are eligible to apply for their Rule 9 membership with the Washington State Bar Association.
- Visit the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Web site for more information regarding Rule 9 admission.
Download Center
Download these forms for your use.
Students:
Supervising Attorney or Judge:
If you have any questions about the use of any of these forms, please contact Robbie McMillian, the Externship Coordinator at (509) 313-3740.
For additional volunteer or paid placement opportunities, please contact Gonzaga Law’s Career Services Office at (509) 313-3705.
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Externship Program
Questions?