Externship Student Testimonials

FEDERAL JUDICIAL EXTERN
"I was fortunate enough to sit in on a jury voir dire, a
jury trial, a couple of bench trials, duty court, motions,
sentencings, pretrial conferences, the deposition of a
Detroit Police Officer accused of wrongly shooting the
plaintiff, and a host of other civil and criminal
procedures."

PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE EXTERN
"The biggest benefit to me from doing this externship was
definitely the in court practice that I was able to be a
part of.  I was able to conduct several preliminary exams
and even two trials under the supervision of the
prosecuting attorney. I was also able to talk with the
real people involved with criminal law, including
defendants, victims, police officers, attorneys, and
judges, and gained a much better understanding of the
actual law and procedure.  I also learned quite a bit
about evidence and how it plays a vital role in the trial
process."

JUVENILE JUDGE EXTERN
"Before working at the Third Judicial Circuit Court, I
knew very little about juvenile justice.  Now, I move
forward with a great deal of knowledge. I have learned
about child abuse, child neglect, adoption, and juvenile
delinquency. I found an area of the law that I enjoy."

JUDICIAL EXTERN
"Another benefit of this externship was the two giving
supervisors I worked under.  I enjoyed their willingness
to share their "war stories" and advice.  Upon reflection,
sometimes I feel that I learned more about life as an
attorney than I did about the law itself."

PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE EXTERN
"I still remember how nervous I felt the first time I knew
that I was going to hold a preliminary exam.  I thought I
was going to be sick, that's how bad the butterflies in my
stomach were.  But by the end of my time with the
Prosecutors Office, I could actually feel how I had
learned and changed.  The nerves and butterflies weren't
as bad, my speaking inside the courtroom was more smooth
and effortless, even making closing arguments got easier."

JUDICIAL STAFF ATTORNEY EXTERN
"Getting some real-life legal experience has made me more
confident.  Throughout the school year, it was sometimes
discouraging speaking with other law students who had
legal experience, either in the past or concurrent with
law school.  I felt like I was at some sort of
disadvantage.  Using and improving some of the skills that
I learned during my first year of law school was very
beneficial and will serve me well during my two remaining
years."