We are pleased to announce that CK Hoffler has established an exclusive Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) externship program for students at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) through her NIL practice group at The CK Hoffler Firm. This initiative creates a direct pathway for AJMLS students to gain experience in a rapidly developing area of law.
The externship is open only to AJMLS students and places them inside Hoffler’s practice, where they work alongside trial attorneys handling active matters. Four AJMLS students are serving as externs at the firm this spring. In addition to the externship experience, Hoffler plans to support eligible students with paid internships after they complete their externship terms, extending the opportunity beyond the classroom and into sustained professional development. The externship program will be accepting a new cohort of students in Fall 2026.
The program was established through the efforts of AJMLS Professor Mecca Anderson, who connected with Hoffler to formalize the partnership. The result is a structured externship focused on NIL law, an area that continues to expand as student athletes and institutions navigate new legal and regulatory frameworks.
Hoffler emphasized that her decision to launch the inaugural program at AJMLS was driven by the caliber and determination of the students she has encountered.
“The reason why I chose Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School for this inaugural program is because every single student I’ve worked with is hungry. I want students who are hungry. Every single student that I’ve encountered has had that hunger, that passion. I want students who refuse to be denied.”
Professor Anderson described the collaboration as a natural extension of Hoffler’s longstanding commitment to mentorship and access within the legal community.
“CK Hoffler does not just talk about access and opportunity, she builds it. Her willingness to mentor, teach, and open doors at critical moments in my career evolved into a partnership grounded in developing the next generation of lawyers. Together, we created a NIL-focused externship that places AJMLS students inside an emerging practice area under real trial lawyers doing consequential work,” Anderson said.
Beyond hosting externs, Hoffler has also served as a guest speaker in Professor Anderson’s class, sharing insight from her practice and discussing the practical realities of NIL representation and litigation. Her involvement provides students with both hands-on training and classroom engagement, reinforcing the connection between legal theory and practice.
As NIL continues to shape collegiate athletics and related legal issues, this externship offers AJMLS students direct exposure to client representation, strategy, and trial preparation within a focused practice setting. The partnership reflects a shared commitment between Hoffler and AJMLS to prepare students for the demands of modern legal practice while expanding access to meaningful professional opportunities.