Externship Director.

Job Description

The Externship Director reports to the Dean through the Associate Dean for Experiential Learning and is responsible for the development, administration, and management of the externship program for second- and third-year law students for a semester of in-the-field, live, practical, hands-on experience in the practice of law.

The Director is responsible for ensuring compliance with the American Bar Association Accreditation Standards, ensuring a quality experience for each extern, as well as developing and cultivating relationships with law firms, government entities and community service agencies both local and nationwide.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES Community Relations

Works with local non-profit organizations, government entities, judicial chambers and even private law firms to develop meaningful field placement opportunities for students

Advising Students

Works closely with students to assure a successful field placement, requiring : organizing regular programs each semester to recruit and inform students about the Externship Program and the types of placements that are available;

advising students individually regarding the selection of an appropriate placement based upon their previous experience (both work and academic), their existing skills, their personal goals for anexternship (i,e.

skills development, substantive law experience, exposure to new area of practice), and the types of experiences offered by each agency or office;

andadvising students about other clinical or skills opportunities that may be available to students outside of the Field Placement Program.

Assists students enrolled in the Externship Program with any problems which may arise during the semester such as supervisory issues, time management issues, or meeting their goals for the placement.

Problems may beaddressed through working with the student to develop a plan of action or through direct intervention by the Director, depending upon the nature ofthe problem.

Teaching Students

Under ABA rules, for-credit field placement requires that students enroll in an accompanying class that deals with substantive legal issues, as well as issues related to professionalism and ethics.

Depending on the exact structure of the program, the Director may teach the class component. In this case, the Director would also have to have some type of faculty appointment (i.

e., adjunct faculty status).

Visiting Placement Sites, Communicating with Placement Supervisors, and Conducting Supervision Workshops

• Develops relationships with the students’ supervisors at the various agencies, nonprofits, and judicial chambers; screens new potential placements and ensures that appropriate plans of supervision are in place for existing placements;
• personally visits placement sites and meets with placement supervisors to assess the nature of the supervision, types of available projects, resources available to students, qualifications for student externs, and suggestions about the program;

and reviews reports by the supervisors about the students and communicates when needed with the individual supervisors.

Reviewing Student Materials

Students in the Externship Program are required to submit time sheets, interim reports, final reports, journals, supervisor evaluations and writing samples.

The Director reviews and retains these materials, monitoring and evaluating the student experiences, and seeks to identify and address any problems that may arise at a placement.

Required Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
• Member of the Oklahoma bar or some other state bar
• Experience as a practicing attorney
• Ability to develop and cultivate relationships with various constituencies
• Ability to develop and implement a solid and meaningful externship program
• Excellent writing, communication, organizational, supervisory and analytical skills
• Superior interpersonal and oral presentation skills
• Word processing and technical skills
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to do weekend travel and work
• Ability to appreciate cultural diversity in communications with all groups associated with the University

Preferred Qualifications Preferred Qualifications : Physical Demands

• Typing / Keyboarding : Proficiency in typing and using a computer keyboard for extended periods.
• Speaking : Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Reaching : Ability to reach for items on shelves or in cabinets.
• Manual Dexterity : Ability to use hands and fingers to operate office equipment, handle files, and perform other tasks.
30+ days ago