Host a Villanova Extern
An externship is an opportunity for students to earn academic credit by working onsite in an approved agency, both under the supervision of a lawyer at the host agency and with the guidance of a faculty advisor. Because it is an academic program, Villanova has adopted a policy designed to ensure the educational integrity of the externship experience.
According to that policy, the externship host agrees to comply with the following conditions:
- The externship host must commit to a minimum total of 168 clock hours onsite over the course of the summer.
- The externship host must designate one attorney as the supervising attorney; however, the student may also work with other attorneys actively involved in the work of the host agency.
- The externship should expose the student to substantive aspects of legal practice in the host agency. The student's time should not be spent on non-legal or clerical work, except to the extent it is a normal incident of work performed by attorneys in the host agency. The externship work should include, but need not be limited to, several of the following:
- developing and investigating facts;
- conducting legal research;
- participating in preparation for a hearing;
- drafting legal documents, such as letters, pleadings, orders, and briefs;
- participating in or attending sessions in which lawyers counsel clients, witnesses, or others associated with the work of the host agency; and
- participating in or attending negotiation sessions, conferences, or other meetings.
- The externship host must complete a short (i.e., less than 5 page) evaluation of the student’s performance at the conclusion of the externship.
- The externship host must comply with the law school’s Non-Discrimination Policy.
If you are interested in hosting an extern from Villanova University School of Law, please complete the Externship Host Registration form available here.
