Through ONU Law's Externship Program, students gain hands-on legal experience working for judges, government agencies, and public interest organizations and law firms, developing the practical skills that make a strong first impression on future employers. Consistent with ONU Law's public service mission, students bring their own interests and ideas to the table, and our externship director helps shape the right placement, from courtrooms to government offices to public interest organizations. Placements aren't limited to Ohio. Students have worked in externships across the country, especially valuable for our online JD students wherever they're located.
Students have gained real-world experience in placements such as municipal, juvenile, and appellate courts; state and federal government offices; prosecutor and public defender offices; and non-profit and legal aid organizations. There's no fixed list. Every placement is built around a conversation between you and the director about where you want your legal career to go.
Externship students work under the day-to-day supervision of an experienced attorney or judge at their placement site, with ongoing guidance from ONU faculty throughout the semester.