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Disaster Law Externship

1 credit hour

Overseeing Professor
Christine Cerniglia, Professor of Law 
[email protected]

Field Placement Supervisor
Linda Anderson Stanley, ABA Young Lawyers Division, Director of Disaster Legal Services

Program Description
This externship is structured so one student works directly with an EJW attorney who is providing direct outreach on disaster legal issues.  The extern will work directly with Equal Justice Works attorneys and staff fellows on assigned cases or projects involving disaster research or FEMA claims. Students are required to assist the assigned attorney on the case with legal research, relevant fact gathering and understanding the available benefits through FEMA or other agencies to assist people in rebuilding their lives post disaster. Students may also receive assignments to research systemic issues related to disaster resilience and work with both Stetson professors and community organizers to host meetings or large conferences related to disaster resilience. 

The Disaster Law Externship is a tethered experience to the Disaster Law Primer.  Students must complete the primer before taking the externship and may pursue the externship and Primer in the same semester. Students will study FEMA guidelines, the Individual Household Manual as well as understand the impact of disasters across the country and best practices to build a more resilient community.

Placement Locations
All work is remote and weekly virtual check-in meetings are required. Students are assigned to a supervising attorney or staff attorneys, an overseeing professor to which may require the student to check-in with several mentors throughout the semester. 

Program Requirements:

  • 42.5 hours for 1 credit per semester;
  • Weekly timesheet
  • 3-4 reflective journals per semester;
  • Written research project at the end of the semester
  • Attend the weekly Individual Externship Seminar 

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Successful completion of all first-year required courses;
  • Be in good academic standing;
  •  Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in the Disaster Law Primer (LAW 3300)

Application Requirements:
Submit a completed application by the appropriate deadline (for more information, visit our Clinics and Externships page).