A Judicial Extern is a law student who conducts legal research and writing to support the work of a judge or of a court's central staff, which can include law clerks and staff attorneys. As an Extern, you will summarize and analyze cases and research legal questions; writing assignments may include bench memoranda, rulings, orders, and opinions.
Judicial Externships are excellent opportunities to develop your research and writing skills, and to gain exposure to various legal issues and advocacy styles.
If you are interested in applying to Summer Judicial Externships, please schedule an appointment with Natalie Butcher, Associate Director of Career Services and Judicial Clerkships by calling (530) 752-6574 or sending an email to careerservices@law.ucdavis.edu.
Judicial Clerkships differ in that they are post-graduate positions. To learn more about Clerkships, click here.
Application Materials
- Judicial Externship Guide
- Judicial Externship Presentation
- Notes on Judicial Externship Hiring
- Mail Merge Instructions are located in the Symplicity Document Library or you can used the Mail Merge Wizard in Word
- Judicial Extern Application Information by California Court
Alumni Judges
Diversity Programs
- ABA Section of Litigation Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (deadline: Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021)
- ABA Business Law Section Diversity Clerkship Program (deadline: Friday, Jan. 7, 2022)
- Just the Beginning Foundation -- Summer Judicial Internship Diversity Project (deadline: Sunday, Jan. 10, 2020)
- Additional opportunities are posted in Symplicity
Credit for Summer Externships
Academic-Year Externships
Enrollment information for academic-year externships is available, questions should be directed to Rena Contreras at (530) 752-6564 or rgcontreras@ucdavis.edu.