The Externship Department at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School is committed to integrating professional development and identity formation into every aspect of its courses. Through our structured curriculum, students engage in experiential learning that bridges legal theory and practice, cultivating the skills and judgment necessary for their professional lives. Our courses are designed not just to meet ABA standards but to equip students with a clear understanding of the expectations, responsibilities, and opportunities that come with entering the legal profession. Taught using the Socratic method and meeting once per week, the classes encourage critical dialogue and reflective learning. Assignments are challenging and require students to perfect their legal and professional writing. Reflections and guided discussions prompt students to develop key competencies such as critical thinking, adaptability, professionalism, and ethical decision-making — skills essential for long-term career success.
Central to our externship program is the deliberate shaping of each student’s professional identity. We encourage students to think deeply about who they are as future lawyers, what values will guide their practice, and how they will contribute meaningfully to the profession and the public. By fostering self-awareness, communication skills, and a commitment to service, our courses prepare students to navigate the complex realities of legal work with confidence and integrity. Through close mentorship and continuous feedback, students leave the externship experience not only with practical skills but with a clearer sense of their place in the legal community.
Externships
Externships or field placements provide you with the opportunity to integrate the theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom with the practical experience of on-the-job training. Unlike an internship, an externship allows you to receive academic credit for the education you gain outside of the classroom. The program is flexible and offers a variety of field placements to enhance your legal education as you gain practical experience and the confidence necessary to embark on a successful legal career.
Eligibility
Students are eligible to participate once they have successfully completed all first-year courses or 45 credit hours, have at least a 2.3 GPA, and are in good-standing. Part-time students are also eligible once they meet these criteria and are urged to plan ahead to create the time and schedule adjustments to take advantage of these opportunities. For more detailed information regarding student and supervisor roles in the the Externship Program, read the Student Handbook for Externships and the Supervisor Handbook for Externships. Additionally, students may earn a total of nine (9) hours in externship credits towards their J.D. The number of externship credit hours is based upon a student’s GPA, as referenced by the following:
Externship Credit Chart
| GPA | Maximum Number of Lifetime Externship Credits allowable per Student |
|---|---|
| Less than 2.3 | 0 |
| 2.3-2.7 | Up to 6 credit hours *Taken only in the summer semesters |
| Greater than 2.7 | 9 credits maximum |
Students must earn a minimum of two and no more than six credit hours in a semester. Students are required to work a total of 47 hours for each credit hour. For example, in a 14 week semester a student must work 141 hours or approximately 10 hours a week for 3 credits.
Ready for an Externship? Start Here!
Get Experience. Earn Credit. Build Your Career.
The ABA requires all law students to complete at least six credit hours of experiential learning before graduating. Externships are a great way to meet this requirement while gaining real legal experience under attorney supervision and faculty guidance.
To be eligible:
- Complete all required 1L courses and have at least 30 credits.
- Be in good academic standing.
- If externing the summer after 1L year, have earned a 2.3 GPA or higher in your first semester.
- The remaining requirements will be explained in the mandatory orientation.
How it works:
- Attend a mandatory orientation every semester you plan to extern (even if you externed before!). Orientations will be advertised every semester for the following term. Just keep an eye out.
- Find your own externship or choose one from the school’s approved list.
Finding the Right Externship for You – Key Questions to Ask Yourself:
- What areas of law genuinely interest me or align with my long-term career goals?
- What gaps or weaknesses in my resume could an externship help strengthen?
- What type of work environment will help me grow — firm, government, court, nonprofit?
- What skills or experiences do I need to gain now to stand out to future employers?
Need help narrowing your options or planning your path? Professor Anderson is available for one-on-one externship advising. Email Ms. Haynes at ahaynes@johnmarshall.edu to schedule a meeting.
Before requesting an appointment, please:
Be ready to discuss your career goals and bring questions!
Upload an updated and approved resume in 12Twenty before requesting an appointment.
Check your eligibility.
Field Placements
In order to qualify for the externship program, a placement must:
- Be a judicial clerkship or a position with a governmental agency, corporate legal department, or a legal non-profit agency;
- Meet the educational goals of the Externship Program; and
- Be under the supervision of a practicing attorney.
Placements with private firms or attorneys are allowed only if the firm or attorney meets the private firm certification requirements and has a practice in particular practice areas. Please contact Professor Anderson for further details about placements with private firms. A list of approved placements can be found on the AMJLS website.
| Team | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professor Mecca Anderson | Director of Externship Programs and Associate Professor of Legal Practice | manderson@johnmarshall.edu | (678) 916-2679 |
| Allyn Haynes | Externship Coordinator | ahaynes@johnmarshall.edu | (678) 916-2688 |