Field Placement

The Field Placement Program provides GW Law students an opportunity to earn academic credit while working as student externs with government, judicial, and nonprofit organizations. In the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, student externs work directly with judges or practicing lawyers. The Program enhances students’ educational experience through exposure to the actual practice of law. With over 500 students participating in the Program each year and the unique opportunities available to students as a result of our location in the nation’s capital, the Field Placement Program is one of the most extensive legal externship programs in the country. The primary educational objectives of Field Placement are to provide students with the opportunity to gain experience in different substantive areas of law and legal process; to develop legal research, writing, interviewing, counseling, and investigative skills; to deal with issues of professional responsibility in an actual practice setting; and, to engage in reflective lawyering.

GW Law Students

Students benefit from the guidance of GW Law adjunct faculty, who teach the required corequisite courses that complement the externship experience. All corequisite courses are taught in an experiential format that encourages learning by doing. Additionally, students receive regular communication and feedback from the practicing attorneys or judges who serve as placement supervisors. Regular communication and feedback from adjunct faculty and placement supervisors combine to offer students a unique opportunity to gain practical experience, enhance employment marketability, develop essential connections in the legal field, and enhance their overall academic experience. Please see the Field Placement FAQs for additional information.

Contact Us

Field Placement Program
The George Washington University Law School
2000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052
Located: Lisner Hall Ste 204
Monday - Friday; 9 am-5 pm

Email Field Placement
Phone: 202.994.5184
Fax: 202.994.3362 

 

Keri A. McCoy
Assistant Dean for Field Placement
Lisner Hall, Suite 205
[email protected]
202.994.5184


Current Students

Field Placement Portal

Visit the Field Placement page on MyLaw for additional information about eligibility, registration, and finding an externship.

Externship Opportunities

Visit CORE to view current postings, and find the list of Field Placement-Eligible CORE Postings on the Field Placement Page of MyLaw.

Recent Student Placements*

 

  • American Civil Liberties Union
  • DC Court of Appeals
  • DC Superior Court
  • International Monetary Fund
  • National Public Radio
  • National Wildlife Federation
  • Office of the US Trade Representative
  • Public Defender Services
  • Smithsonian

 

  • US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • US Court of Federal Claims
  • US Department of Justice
  • US Department of State
  • US District Court for DC
  • US Federal Communications Commission

 

  • US House & Senate Judiciary Committees
  • US Patent and Trademark Office
  • US Securities & Exchange Commission
  • Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
  • White House Office of Legal Counsel
  • World Bank
  • World Organization for Human Rights

*This is a representative list only. A more comprehensive list of placements and additional Program information is available to current students on the portal.


"From professors to supervisors, I have been able to find such great mentors that have helped me further develop into the law student and future attorney that I hope to be.”

Eden Nebel
JD ‘22

View All Student Spotlights

Eden Nebel, JD ‘22

Supervisor Resources

Posting Externship Opportunities

Post an externship for GW Law students online using CORE.

For information on how to post an opportunity, contact [email protected].

If you have questions regarding students earning academic credit for their work, contact [email protected].

American Bar Association Standards

The American Bar Association’s Standards for the Approval of Law Schools are minimum requirements designed to ensure that law schools provide a sound program of legal education. Standard 304 contains the requirements that must be met in order to award credit toward the JD Degree for field placements (externships) and other study outside the classroom.