Practice Opportunities for BU Law Students

The Office of the General Counsel offers students at Boston University School of Law a number of opportunities to work with attorneys in the office and participate in a challenging, diverse and highly interesting legal practice for a large, multi-dimensional client.

In-House Counsel Fellowship Program

The Office of the General Counsel participates in BU Law’s In-House Counsel Fellowship Program, and since 2015, has generally hired a fellow for a one-year term, beginning in September. Working with other lawyers in the office and independently, the fellow has significant exposure to both litigation and transactional matters.  Assignments may include  legal research and preparation of research memoranda; review and drafting of a wide variety of contracts and other legal documents relating to University business and academic activities; drafting policies; participation in meetings involving one or more lawyers in the office and representatives of the University administration; preparation for and attendance at depositions, motions, trials and other court or agency proceedings; and other matters relevant to the office’s practice.

Applications are generally accepted in January.  OGC will consider applications from individuals who will be sitting for the Massachusetts bar during the summer preceding commencement of the fellowship, but preference is given to applicants who are currently licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Externship Program

The Office of the General Counsel serves as a placement site for BU Law’s Externship Program, which provides second and third-year students with the opportunity to work part-time at OGC under the supervision of an attorney mentor. One or two students intern at OGC each semester. The student’s experience is supported by a required seminar at BU Law.  The externship begins the first week of classes and students must commit to working through the last week of classes.  Students must work a minimum of 12 hours at OGC per week, but may work more hours for additional credits based on their overall class schedule and in consultation with OGC.

Part-time Law Clerk

The Office of the General Counsel occasionally hires second or third-year BU Law students for part-time law clerk positions during the academic year.  If you are interested in such a position, please contact Noreen Trahon at ntrahon@bu.edu.

Full-Time Summer Law Clerk

Each summer, the Office of the General Counsel hires one or two BU Law students who have completed the second year of law school as full-time law clerks who work for a minimum of eleven weeks between May and September.  The application process is run by BU Law’s Career Development and Public Service Office.