During the fall, spring, and summer semesters, the Legal Aid Society supervises a limited number of law school externs who are placed with us through their law schools. Law School externs earn academic credit towards their Juris Doctor degrees.

Externs are usually assigned to either our District Court Bureau which handles misdemeanor cases, or our Family Court Bureau which represents respondents in the Nassau Family Court in neglect, family offense, custody, and support cases. Externs will sometimes assist our County Court attorneys who represent clients charged with felonies.

Externs work on a daily basis with our staff attorneys. Their duties will include interviewing clients and family members, attending court conferences, legal research and writing, field investigations, and assisting attorneys during pre-trial hearings and at trial.

The program is designed to provide law students with hands-on practical experience in the criminal justice system.

If you are interested in applying for an externship with the Legal Aid Society, please contact your law school externship placement director and forward a cover letter and resume to Elinor Merget at emerget@nclas.org, or fax to (516) 565-3694.