Externships

Turning legal knowledge into legal action.

Sidebar

At the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, we believe law students should be practicing law, not just studying it. Through our robust externship program, students gain real-world legal experience while serving individuals, families, businesses and communities throughout the region.

Externships place second- and third-year students in a wide range of legal settings, from courtrooms and government offices to nonprofit organizations and corporate legal departments. These placements offer an inside look at the legal profession and help students build the confidence, judgment and practical skills they’ll need to make an immediate impact after graduation.

Learning by doing

All Brandeis Law students complete at least six credit hours of experiential coursework as part of their degree. Externships count toward this requirement and often fulfill what’s called a Live Client Course – a legal experience where students work directly on real cases and with real clients, under the supervision of licensed attorneys.

What makes Brandeis externships different?

Community impact

Many placements focus on serving underrepresented or vulnerable populations.
 

Personalized experiences

With dozens of opportunities across sectors, students can explore areas of law that align with their goals.
 

Professional development

Students build practical skills in legal research, writing, interviewing, negotiation and courtroom advocacy.
 

Supportive structure

Faculty guidance and intentional placement make for a meaningful educational experience.

Where our students serve

Brandeis externship placements reflect the diversity of the legal field and include opportunities in areas such as:

Public service & government

Students support agencies like the Indiana Department of Child Services, Kentucky Commission on Human Rights and the Energy & Environment Cabinet – working on everything from family services to environmental policy.

Criminal justice

Through placements with the Kentucky Innocence Project, local prosecutors and public defenders and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, students engage in the full spectrum of criminal law – from defense to prosecution and post-conviction work.

Judicial externships

Students gain a behind-the-scenes view of the legal system by working directly with trial or appellate judges and their staff.

Corporate & in-house counsel

In externships with the University of Louisville’s legal departments and major employers like Signature Healthcare, students learn about business transactions, compliance, intellectual property and more.

Legal aid & advocacy

Students assist with immigration cases, family law, consumer protection, and civil rights litigation through placements with organizations such as Legal Aid Society, ACLU of Kentucky and Kentucky Equal Justice Center.

Practice with purpose

Externships at Brandeis aren’t just about checking a box – they’re about learning how to be a lawyer who makes a difference. By the time our students graduate, they’ve already stepped into real legal roles and seen firsthand what it means to serve others through the law.