Skip to main content
    Admissions Overview
    Find all the information you need about applying to our undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Start your application to Willamette here.
    Academics Overview
    Learn more about our academic programs – from courses and faculty to unique opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.
All Programs and Degrees
Advising Resources
Academic Calendar
Library
    Life on Campus Overview
    Get a feel for life at Willamette. Learn more about Salem, our campus culture, and how we foster a sense of community.
Learning in the Pacific Northwest
Athletics
Diversity at Willamette
Health and Wellness
Housing and Dining
Arts
Campus Recreation
Events
Safety
    Our Stories
    We’re proud of the difference our students and alumni are making. Dive into the stories of how they’re leading in their fields and transforming knowledge into meaningful action.
Athletics
Arts
Big Data
Climate Change
Democratic Institutions
    Cost & Aid Overview
    Get the latest information about tuition costs and financial aid opportunities available to Willamette students.
Tuition & Fees
Request Info Visit Apply Give
About News Alumni Directory Parents Athletics The Arts
Pacific Northwest College of Art

Externship Program

The Externship Program immerses law students in the fast-paced work of the practicing lawyer.

The Externship Program provides an experiential learning environment that allows law students to develop their skills and values as novice lawyers. The program also seeks to strengthen the School of Law’s relationship with the bench, bar and community and to improve students’ prospects for obtaining satisfying, permanent employment after graduation. As such, the Externship Program allows students to “test the waters” in a specific area of legal practice. This program often is the capstone experience for students during their study at the law school.

Students are partnered with attorneys working in various legal settings in the wider community. They participate in legal work in many different contexts under the constraints of real-life practice. Attorneys who supervise students in the Externship Program receive support and mentoring from the externship director.

Externs have a wide range of opportunities from which to choose and can seek placements that fit their particular skills, background and career interests. Willamette students have enjoyed externships with local, national, and international hosts in a variety of legal settings, such as with in-house counsel of national and regional companies, state and federal representatives and senators, state and federal agencies, prosecutors' offices, public defenders' offices, nonprofit legal services, and private law firms. Students participate in transactional work, litigation, administrative advocacy and alternative dispute resolution as well as legislative drafting and advocacy.

When the Oregon Legislature convenes, many Willamette law students plunge into externship placements at the Capitol. Willamette students work with legislators, the governor’s office, the Judiciary Committee and the Legislative Counsel on a variety of legislative and law improvement measures.

"Every day of that externship, even on the hard days, I loved it. It was supportive. It was the kind of environment I want to work in."
Kirsten Parsons JD'21
Kirsten Parsons

Participation in the Externship Program

Students participate in the Externship Program by enrolling in Externship. This course is graded on a pass/fail/honors basis. Students enrolled in the Externship Program work up to 40 hours per week in their field placement. Participation in the program requires an academic component. Students attend class, produce on-line assignments, and produce a final written reflective paper. The externship course is open to second- and third-year students in good academic standing who have received a passing grade in LRW.

For more information on Externship, please contact Assistant Professor of Experiential Education & Director of Externships, Terry Wright at (503) 375-5431 or by email. You may also contact Bev Ecklund at (503) 370-6057 or becklund@willamette.edu.

"My externship helped catapult my career. It allowed me to gain exposure to interesting new practice areas and added value to my resume in a way that could not be accomplished on campus. It was one of the best parts of my legal education."
Byrin Romney JD'20
Byrin Romney

Featured Externship Placements

Below is a list of illustrative current and past externship placements that have afforded our students the opportunity to obtain real-world experience in a manner the brings the Law School's Signature Strengths to life.

Willamette University

School of Law