Nonprofits and Public Sectors Externship – 6042

Spring 2015
Nancy Cook

Information for Registration - Spring 2015

In this externship course, students acquire legal experience in nonprofit and public sectors under the supervision of practicing attorneys in the field. Placements for the spring may include: Children’s Law Center; Council on Crime and Justice; Court Watch; Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid; MN AIDS Project; MN Health Law Center; and Ramsey County Public Defender. Students are permitted to arrange their own placements with permission of Professor Cook.

Prior to the beginning of the term, students will be notified of their placements at approved sites and will be directed to report to an on-site supervisor before the end of the first week of the term (January 21). Students are expected to meet with the externship site supervisor to define the scope of the work and to delineate externship expectations. Externs must spend 8-12 hours per week engaged in work related to the placement, for a total of 100 hours over the course of the semester.

A related classroom component will focus on contextual ethics; systemic analysis; lawyer’s role and career development; and skill building in professional-to-professional interactions, leadership, strategic problem solving, and reflective practice. Short reflective writings are required throughout the semester, as well as two in-class presentations.