Real-World Experience Makes a Difference
In a clinic or externship, you’ll represent real clients, under supervision, gaining real-world experience—and making a real difference in someone’s life. Draft motions, negotiate settlements, and advocate in court while earning academic credit and professional mentorship. New England Law Boston guarantees all interested students a clinical or externship experience.
What type of legal experience are you looking for?
I want to:
The Experience You’re Looking For
See how New England Law clinics and externships give you real-world experience—and the opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life.
In-House Law Clinics in the Public’s Interest
Public Interest Law Seminar and Clinic
Help provide legal services to those who need it most in this one-semester program. You’ll learn about issues such as poverty, race, and access to justice in the seminar, then put what you’ve learned to work, with up to 15 hours per week in the field handling civil cases. Placements include the New England Law Clinical Law office and off-site placements such as Greater Boston Legal Services.
The Lawyering Process
In this clinic, you’ll be introduced to civil litigation via a two-hour weekly class, as well as up to 15 hours per week working on cases through the New England Law Clinical Law Office or similar organizations such as Greater Boston Legal Services. (Part-time students work eight hours to earn four credits or five hours to earn three credits.) In addition to developing your legal skills, you and your supervisor will also examine institutional and ethical problems that arise during your practice.
Externships for Hands-on Experience
Administrative Law Clinic
Students spend up to fifteen hours weekly in field placements at agencies, organizations, or other offices where they are exposed to administrative law. Placements can include roles such as a law clerk for an administrative law judge or advocating before an agency.
Business and Intellectual Property Law Clinic
Gain practical experience in business and intellectual property law. In this clinic, you’ll dedicate up to 15 hours per week working in a government agency, private law firm, nonprofit organization, a business’s legal department, or another compliance-related role.
Criminal Procedure II Clinic
Examine the legal issues that emerge at different stages of criminal adjudication as they occur. You will work in a district attorney’s office, at the Committee for Public Counsel Services, or with a public defender in Massachusetts. Similar placements in neighboring states are also permitted.
Environmental Law Clinic
Discover the diverse legal issues within environmental law. You will dedicate up to 15 hours weekly to your field placement, which could be at a government agency, private firm, or public interest organization focused on environmental law.
Family Law Clinic
Handle real cases—and make a genuine difference—as you work under the supervision of practicing attorneys guiding families through the challenges—and joys—inherent in family law. Placements include legal services offices, public interest organizations that fight domestic violence, probate and family court, government agencies, private law firms, and New England Law’s in-house clinic.
Federal Courts Clinic
Work alongside an assistant attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. You will assist with a wide range of matters within the division’s jurisdiction, including immunity defenses, government enforcement actions, and civil rights litigation.
Government Lawyer Clinic
Support various facets of litigation by working in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office or another government agency, handling tasks like research, investigation, pleadings, discovery, motions, trials, and appeals.
Health Law Clinic
Gain experience in the diverse field of health law through this clinic. For up to 15 hours each week, you’ll work alongside practitioners in hospitals, government agencies, legal services offices, and private law firms.
Immigration Law Clinic
Assist individuals seeking to live, work, or study in the U.S. in navigating immigration pathways. You might work in a law firm or an agency, representing clients involved in proceedings before the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) or in court cases arising from such proceedings.
Land Use Law Clinic
Learn the fundamentals of land use law through this clinic. Placements mainly include city and town counsel offices, zoning boards, or private firms, mostly in suburban Boston, where you will work on a variety of land use issues.
Mediation and Dispute Resolution Clinic
Gain a deeper understanding of dispute resolution and mediation, and develop the skills to effectively advocate for clients in resolving disputes while working with practicing attorneys.
Stories of Success
“Choosing a law school with a part-time program enabled me to pursue my dream of becoming an attorney and provided the flexibility to build my Résumé through full-time internships, clinics, and employment.”
“I was able to experience what life is really like as counsel for an international corporation.”
“Our graduates stay, grow their careers, and help build our communities. We’re woven into the fabric of New England.”
“There are hundreds of law schools to choose from, but very few of them leave the impression New England Law does on its students.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get the hands-on benefits of a clinic or externship?
New England Law is one of the nation’s few schools that guarantees all interested students a clinical or externship experience.
Should I take a clinic even if I’m not sure what area of law I’d like to pursue?
At New England Law, you may take up to four clinics before you graduate, along with a variety of pro bono opportunities open to students. You do not need to know exactly what kind of law you want to practice before taking a clinic. In fact, clinics can be a valuable way to explore different areas of law, gain practical experience, and discover where your interests and strengths align.
What can I expect from a clinic experience?
While everyone’s placement and experience are different, you may conduct client interviews, perform legal research, draft motions and briefs, negotiate on behalf of clients, and even appear in court or administrative hearings. Clinics also emphasize professional responsibility, collaboration, and practical problem-solving, helping you build the confidence and skills needed for your legal career.
I’d rather not wait until my second year to get practical experience. What can I do?
At New England Law, you can begin working alongside practicing attorneys in the summer of your first year. There are also a variety of pro bono projects and other opportunities available to 1L students through our law centers.
Will I get paid for my clinical placement?
These clinics and externships are for-credit only. Our summer fellowships come with a stipend, as do our summer judicial internships.
Related Centers and Experiences
Contact Us
New England Law Admissions staff is here to help you through the application process. If you have any questions, please complete the form below or contact the Office of Admissions at admit@nesl.edu or call 617-422-7210.