Federal Judicial Externship

2 - 4 Credit Hours 

(variable credit available: each credit requires 42.5 hours)

Overseeing Professor:
Louis Virelli III, Professor of Law
[email protected]

Program Description:
Students extern with a member of the Federal Judiciary in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Each student is assigned to work with a federal district judge or a U.S. magistrate judge. Students perform numerous research and writing assignments under the auspices of the particular judges to whom they are assigned. Students are afforded the opportunity to attend judicial proceedings (e.g., jury selections, hearings, sentencings, trials, mediations, and arbitrations), and to obtain first-hand insight into the internal operations of a federal court. Students must commit one full day per week during the spring and fall semesters. Students must commit two full days per week during the summer semester. Students should expect to do some work outside of their time at the courthouse.

Placement Locations:
Placements will be with a United States District Judge or United States Magistrate Judge in the Tampa Division of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Program Requirements:
• 42.5 hours per credit

Eligibility Requirements:
• Successful completion of all first-year required courses;
• Be in good academic standing;
• Pass background check;
• Proficiency with Westlaw or Lexis is expected; and
• No legal employment/volunteering during Externship semester.

Application Requirements:
• Submit a completed application by the appropriate deadline (for more information, visit our Clinics and Externships page); and
• Timely submit additional documentation as required for this program. (Students are notified by the overseeing professor of additional requirements after applying and being provisionally placed in the program.)