LLS | Externships | Judicial Externships FAQ

Judicial Externship FAQ

What is a judicial externship?

Judicial externships involve working in the chambers of a state or federal judge in exchange for unit credit at Loyola. Externs perform such tasks as file evaluation, legal research or preparation of memoranda. Judicial externships are graded "pass" or "fail."

What courts are available and what time commitments are required?

Los Angeles Superior Court (state court)	2-3 days per week
California Courts of Appeal (state court)	2-3 days per week
Federal Central District trial courts	4 days per week, often 5
Federal Magistrate Courts	2-3 days per week
Federal Bankruptcy Courts	2-3 days per week
Federal Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeal	Full time only; 5 days

What are the eligibility requirements?

Students who have completed the first year of day or evening studies in good academic standing may apply for a judicial externship. Good academic standing is a GPA of 2.00. Full-time judicial externships (seven to ten units) require a verified GPA of 3.00. Part-time judicial externs (two to six units) must have a verified GPA of 2.00 or higher. Students on academic probation may not apply for a judicial externship. Part-time judicial externships may be 4, 5 or 6 units. Each externship unit requires 56 hours of supervised services. Accordingly, a four unit externship requires 224 hours. In a 14 week semester, externs work two eight-hour days per week for 14 weeks to complete all hours.

What if a proposed externship conflicts with required second year classes?

Students may not enroll in an externship if it conflicts with required second year courses such as Con Law or Ethical Lawyering. Second year students may not enroll in a full-time judicial externship in the Fall semester of the second year, and may only enroll in an externship in the second semester of the second year if the externship does not conflict with required classes. Students receive no priority in registration if proposed externships conflict with required curriculum.

Is there a required concurrent course?

All externs are required to attend designated mandatory meetings at the beginning of the semester. No other concurrent course is required for part-time judicial externs (six or fewer units). Full-time judicial externs (seven to ten units) must participate in a judicial seminar course taught by the faculty externship director.

How does the process start?

Start early - at least at the beginning of the semester prior to the externship semester. The process starts when an application is filed on time in the Externship Department. Applicants are screened for eligibility at the time of application. Application deadlines are posted on this Web site each semester and in the Externship Department, in Registration Materials and in the Student Handbook. Students who file an application on time and are otherwise eligible may proceed with the process of sending a cover letter, resume, transcript, and writing sample to selected chambers requesting an interview. A sample cover letter is available on this web site or in the Externship Department for students unfamiliar with them. The faculty director will review the letter in advance if desired. Referral lists of judges are also available in the Externship Department. Profile information on individual judges is frequently available for review.

When are the application deadlines?

Deadlines are published in "Current Deadlines" and posted in the Externship Department. You must file an application on time in the Externship Department before you begin the search for a placement.

What is the difference between state and federal court?

In general, federal courts require a greater time commitment (minimum 4 full days per week). Day to day contact is often more frequently with the post-graduate law clerks than with the federal judge. Federal courts are courts of more limited jurisdiction than are state courts, so exposure to a range of subject matter will be more limited. In general, the state court experience allows more daily and direct contact with the judge. State courts accept part-time externs (2-3 days) readily. State courts are courts of wider jurisdiction offering a broader exposure to various areas of the law. Most downtown LA state courts arrange parking for externs while downtown LA federal courts do not. If court differences are unclear, consult the faculty director before making a choice.

Can I apply for a judicial externship independently of the law school?

Students must apply through the Externship Department. The application must be timely, applicants must be eligible and all judicial chambers approved prior to application. Applicants failing to follow policies and procedure may be prohibited from enrolling in the proposed externship. The policy is designed to ensure that applicants are aware of Law School requirements and/or judicial chambers’ requirements prior to application. Further, it should be obvious that the Law School has a substantial interest in seeing that student contact with judges proceed in an orderly and dignified manner, and in a manner which indicates that the Law School is working with chambers to meet their requirements for applicants.

What if I am offered an externship before all interviews are completed?

Accept it, unless you can figure out a way to tactfully tell the judge that you are waiting for something better (we have no suggestions for you here). Never accept a position and then decline it to accept a position that you think might be more prestigious with another judge. Judges are highly visible members of the legal community and communicate often with each other and members of the Bar. They will not view your fickleness as a reputable trait (one judge complained to the dean when a Loyola student accepted, then discourteously declined an externship, to accept a position in other chambers). If a judge is impressed with you in the interview, you may be offered a position on the spot. Be prepared for that possibility, and think through how to handle the situation if you really want to go on several more scheduled interviews. Your tact and manners are critical to your reputation and that of the Law School. A good strategy would be to try and schedule your interviews in order of your preference at the outset.

What happens after an offer is accepted?

All judicial externship offers to students must be confirmed in writing. Assuming compliance with all other policies and procedures, the Externship Department will provide the course registration number and mandatory course meeting dates.