Elon Law and The Washington Center Announce Plans for Legal Externship Consortium

For Immediate Release - March 2, 2012                                                                                                   
Media Contact: Philip Craft
(336) 279-9333 / pcraft@elon.edu

Elon Law and The Washington Center
Announce Plans for Legal Externship Consortium

New program for law students creates DC externship opportunities
in federal agencies, legislative offices and non-profits

Elon University School of Law and The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars have announced a partnership to provide law students with legal externship opportunities in Washington, D.C.

The Washington Center – Elon University School of Law Externship Program will provide law students with opportunities for full-semester or summer externship placements in executive and legislative branches of the federal government, as well as in non-governmental sectors in Washington, D.C.

“The partnership will expand educational and career opportunities for Elon Law students,” said George R. Johnson, Jr., dean and professor of law at Elon University School of Law. “We are pleased to join The Washington Center to offer a program that will enable Elon Law students to serve in federal agencies, legislative offices and leading nonprofit organizations in the nation’s capital every year.”

The Washington Center – Elon University School of Law Externship Program will be made available to students of other ABA-approved law schools. Law schools interested in participating will join a consortium of law schools. Students will receive academic credit from their home law school. Participating students will be second- or third-year law students in good academic standing. 

“Organizing a consortium of universities to participate in a legal externship program is a milestone for The Washington Center,” said Mike Smith, President of The Washington Center. “We’ve partnered with Elon University for 24 years and now, together, we are embarking on a new initiative that will give law students across the country access to externships in the nation’s capital. We are thankful for their support and look forward to seeing the program grow.”

Participating students will work approximately 36 hours per week at their placement beginning in the summer 2012 term. Students will also take a legal externship seminar and one or two law classes taught by adjunct faculty members of Elon Law. The program will offer students between 12 and 15 academic credits toward their law degree. The Washington Center will manage the operations of the program. Margaret Kantlehner, associate professor of law and director of externships, preceptors and capstone leadership experiences at Elon Law, will serve as faculty supervisor for the program.

“The program will provide a unique experiential educational opportunity for law students who are interested in law practice in government, federal agencies and non-governmental organizations,” Kantlehner said. “It will provide valuable work experience for Elon students and enable the School of Law to develop and strengthen relations with prospective employers of Elon Law graduates in the D.C. area.”

Elon Law’s current externship program offers opportunities for students to serve in dozens of state executive, legislative and judicial branch offices, as well as in a number of nonprofit organizations in North Carolina. The new program in Washington, D.C. will expand the range of externship opportunities for Elon Law students significantly.

About Elon University School of LawElon University School of Law, founded in 2006, prepares students to be exceptional lawyers through a rigorous core curriculum, including a leadership program that equips students to address regional, national and global challenges. Elon Law emphasizes innovative teaching and an array of field-based experiences. Student learning is enriched through a close association with the faculty, who provide global perspectives and a commitment to innovative teaching, scholarship and service. Students benefit from regular interaction with leaders in law, business and civic life, including members of the law school’s advisory board, chaired by David Gergen, former adviser to four U.S. presidents, and including two former North Carolina governors, three former Chief Justices of the North Carolina Supreme Court, and the Chair of the American Red Cross. For more information visit: law.elon.edu.

About The Washington CenterThe Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is an independent, nonprofit organization that serves hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and other countries by providing selected students challenging opportunities to work and learn in Washington, D.C., for academic credit. The largest program of its kind, The Washington Center has more than 50,000 alumni who have become leaders in numerous professions and nations around the world. It was established in 1975. For more information visit: www.twc.edu.