Student Legal Services Externship (B679)
This Externship allows students to receive academic credit for one semester of work at Student Legal Services (SLS). Students typically earn credit during their first semester of work at SLS; after that, students who continue to work at SLS are paid hourly. The course is open to second and third-year students.
What is SLS?
SLS is a non-profit law office that provides legal services to Indiana University students and student groups. The office, located at the corner of Seventh and Fess (across from Dunn Meadow), is university-funded, and has been serving IU—Bloomington students since 1971. While nearly 40% of its cases involves landlord-tenant relations, the other 60% covers a broad range of legal issues, including criminal (18%), contracts (10%), consumer (9%), family (6%), administrative (6%), and tort (5%).
Visit the SLS Web site.
What skills will I develop?
Students develop fundamental professional skills through real-life client interviewing, counseling, problem solving, negotiating, and document drafting. Trial preparation and litigation is available for students who are certified under the student practice rule. Students work under the close supervision of SLS staff attorneys.
What is the time commitment?
A student must work a minimum of ten hours each week in the SLS office for the semester; reflective essays, meetings with the faculty supervisor, and other administrative tasks take additional time.
Are there additional academic requirements?
Yes. While SLS attorneys provide training and supervise the legal work, Cynthia Reichard supervises the academic component. Students must meet two academic requirements: they must submit a series of reflective essays, and they must submit one work-product sample at the close of the semester.
Reflective Essays
Students are required to submit reflective essays, each on a different topic. The essays are due every other week during the semester, and will be rejected if not thoughtful and professional. Students may reflect upon any work-related topic, but topics will be suggested for each essay, such as:
- coping with stress caused by a new work environment or area of law;
- motivating oneself—what happens when I love/hate a particular case, client, or area of law;
- recognizing ethical issues;
- managing difficult relationships with supervisors or peers;
- and assessing lawyering skills—are my skills adequate?
Sample Work Product
At the end of the semester, students will be required to submit one representative sample of work product completed during the semester. Students will be instructed to obtain their supervisor's permission, and to redact as the supervisor deems necessary.
How much credit will I receive?
A student may elect to receive 1 to 3 hours of course credit.
How is the course evaluated?
The course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
I want to be a part of this ...
Here's what you need to know to participate in the SLS Externship:
- Contact the Career Services Office for an interview. Students must first be accepted at SLS through their regular selection process.
- If SLS agrees to hire you, you may register for academic credit during registration. Be sure to complete the permission form.