Corporate Counsel Externship Program

UC Law SF’s Corporate Counsel Externship Program provides second and third-year students the opportunity to earn academic credit based on training in pre-vetted corporate counsel offices of for-profit and non-profit companies.  The on-site learning helps students build their legal skills and knowledge so they can become practice-ready business attorneys.  Students will learn how in-house attorneys collaborate and communicate with the company client, and how they incorporate the client’s unique mission, business, and industry context into their legal advice.  Supervising attorneys guide, train, mentor, and provide substantive feedback to the student throughout the semester.

The on-site learning is supported and enhanced in the classroom. Students are enrolled in a weekly seminar that teaches the role of corporate counsel, integral lawyering competencies, and the ability to self-develop and learn from practice. The Corporate Counsel Externship Seminar is two units, C/NC.  Students will earn 4-5 Corporate Counsel Fieldwork units for 16-20 hours of work per week at their placements.  Students will work for a minimum of 12 weeks at their placements. All credits qualify as experiential. The Corporate Counsel Externship Seminar is taught by Professor Nira Geevargis, UC Law SF Externships Director, and co-taught by Professor Scott Darling, Chief Legal Officer, Upstart.

Student Requirements

  • Students must be in their 4th, 5th, or 6th semester of law school and in good academic standing.
  • Students cannot be participating in a concurrent live-client or work experience (i.e. clinic, externship, Start-Up Legal Garage, or legal work).
  • Students need to have recently met with CDO to review a resume and cover letter.
  • Students need to be enthusiastic, open-minded, and dedicated.

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