Information that applies to all types of field placements is located on the main Field Placements page.
As of Summer 2025, students may receive both academic credit and compensation for qualifying field placements. Please review the information below for more information about the process for paid field placements.
Student Responsibilities
Before Applying for Academic Credit
Discuss the opportunity with your employer first and ensure they understand the requirements before committing.
- Will you be receiving substantive legal work and shadowing opportunities?
- Can they provide a supervising attorney?
- Are they able to handle the administrative and supervisory tasks required?
Applying for Academic Credit
If you are planning to receive both pay and academic credit, you must secure your placement and submit your application by the Paid Placements deadline date listed on the Field Placements homepage.
If you have applied for funding (e.g. fellowship, SPIEP, PILF summer funding, etc.), you should still apply for academic credit by the Paid Placements deadline, even if your funding has not yet been confirmed.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers must meet specific supervisory and training requirements, and all placements will be vetted by the law school.
Employers may have different expectations for paid employees compared to what is appropriate for an extern to earn academic credit. Even well-intentioned employers may struggle to distinguish between the two roles. Below are some key differences:
| Paid Employees/Law Clerks | Externs Receiving Academic Credit |
|---|---|
| May be assigned various tasks, including administrative duties like answering phones, filing, and data entry. | Must engage in substantive legal work similar to what a first-year associate would perform. |
| Can be supervised by anyone. | Must be supervised by a designated attorney who has been licensed for at least two years. Other employees may assist and/or direct an extern in day-to-day work, but externs should receive work from attorneys. |
| May have infrequent meetings with their supervisor. | Required to meet one-on-one with their attorney supervisor at least weekly to review assignments, receive feedback on work/performance, receive legal/professional skill development, and ensure educational goals are met. |
| May perform repetitive tasks. | Work should be varied and designed to expose the extern to a range of legal issues, experiences, and professional opportunities. |
| No substantive legal writing is required. | Must complete at least five cumulative pages of substantive legal writing involving factual and/or legal analysis. |
| Assignments may primarily serve the employer’s needs. | Assignments must be educational and contribute to the student’s legal learning experience. |
| Expected to work all paid hours. | Be invited to observe and/or participate in meetings, hearings, trainings, and other events as part of their learning experience. |
Frequently Asked Questions
This section will be updated as information becomes available.
Can I get credit if I’ve already been working as a paralegal or legal assistant?
Only if you transition to a law clerk/legal extern role with substantive legal work, feedback, and shadowing opportunities.
What if my employer does not agree to the requirements?
You cannot receive academic credit unless your employer fully complies with the Field Placement Program Requirements.
Can I receive funding through federal work-study, such as SPIEP (Summer Public Interest Employment Program), and academic credit simultaneously for my field placement?
No. LMU policy states that students cannot earn academic credit for a job paid by federal work-study, such as through SPIEP. This applies to field placement units taken in any term.