Semester Externships

The Law Department accepts applications from current law students interested in working as an unpaid extern in one of our legal divisions during the school year. A semester externship with the Law Department offers an opportunity to learn about the Law Department and to acquire valuable hands-on litigation experience. Law students selected for a semester externship work closely with our attorneys and conduct legal research, and draft motions, briefs and other litigation related documents. Depending upon the division to which they are assigned, externs may attend or take depositions, interview witnesses, appear or assist attorneys in court and argue motions in accordance with our student practice order.

Students selected for a semester externship position may work a part-time schedule (between 10 and 15 hours per week) or a full-time schedule (between 35 and 40 hours per week) for an entire semester.


Division Placements
While placements are available in most of our 16 legal divisions, the divisions listed below frequently seek semester externs. Please click on a division to learn more about their practice and the tasks that interns do.
Administrative Law and Regulatory Litigation
Affirmative Litigation
Commercial & Real Estate Litigation
Economic Development
Environmental Law
Family Court
Labor & Employment Law
Legal Counsel
Municipal Finance
Tax & Bankruptcy Litigation
Tort
Workers' Compensation


Application Process
Applications should be sent through our on-line application process, addressed to:

Director of Legal Recruitment
New York City Law Department
100 Church Street
New York, NY 10007

Applications are not accepted by regular mail or e-mail.  Questions may be sent to recruitment@law.nyc.gov.


Law School Clinical Programs
The Law Department also hosts several externship programs for New York City area law schools. Students interested in these programs must apply through their law schools. These programs include:

Brooklyn Law School - Federal Civil Litigation Externship
Brooklyn Law School - Municipal Litigation Externship (not offered 2020-2021)
Cardozo Law School - Corporation Counsel Appellate Externship
Cardozo Law School - Family Court Clinic
Cardozo Law School - Labor and Employment Law Clinic
Columbia Law School - NYC Law Department Externship
New York Law School - Municipal Litigation Defense Clinic
New York University School of Law - Representing New York City Clinic

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.