Plenary Three: The Justice Mission of Externships: Preparing our Students to Advocate for Justice

Recent events have highlighted the important role of lawyers in advocating for justice and the rule of law. Our students face a world that needs lawyers to be prepared to fight for justice, but even the most committed students can become discouraged at the challenges they face. To assume their crucial public responsibilities, students need not only commitment to the cause of justice, but also courage to do what is right, and resilience in the face of adversity. Perhaps more than anywhere else in the law school curriculum, externships play a vital role in preparing students to assume their public roles. The closing plenary will discuss the role of externship teaching in fostering the public dimension of the lawyer’s role, and the panelists will provide stories of lawyers and law students who make a crucial difference in the lives of their clients and their communities. Topics will include include how to assist students to integrate their personal values with their emerging professional roles and helping our students develop the passion, courage, authenticity, and resilience to become advocates for justice