The Corporate Counsel Externship program places students in the corporate counsel offices of for-profit and nonprofit businesses in and around Detroit. These placements offer opportunities for students to learn the role of in-house counsel and gain exposure and experience in such matters as mergers and acquisitions, business contracts, real estate transactions, securities laws and compliance with governmental regulation of business and industry. Students learn about substantive issues encountered in an in-house legal department and the ethical responsibilities of in-house counsel both at their placement and in the companion class.

Substantial class time is devoted to professional skills instruction on topics such as working with outside counsel, conflict management, contract drafting and conducting internal investigations. Students also participate in facilitated discussion, as well as analysis of and reflection on their fieldwork observations and experiences. Chief legal officers, general counsel and senior managing attorneys will guest lecture in some classes.

Externship requirements 

Students must complete 150 hours of fieldwork at an approved placement site. Students must also enroll in the Corporate Counsel Externship Colloquium and Corporate Counsel Externship Practicum.  Professional Responsibility and the Legal Profession is a prerequisite/co-requisite to enrollment in this externship.  Please note: only credits earned for the Corporate Counsel Externship Colloquium (2 cr.) and Corporate Counsel Externship Practicum (2 cr.) count toward the Law School's Experiential Learning Requirement.  For a more complete description of these courses, students are advised to consult the course listings page.  

How to apply 

Information on how to apply to this externship can be found here.