Law students frequently encounter additional financial burdens when participating in externships or clinics, as many of these opportunities are unpaid and off campus, leaving students responsible for transportation and other expenses. As clinical faculty, we have a responsibility to reduce these financial barriers, ensuring that more students can access and benefit from experiential education. Even if a law school has not adopted or considered paid externships, there are still creative and effective solutions to help alleviate the financial strain on students in both externships and clinics.
Some students are excluded from experiential opportunities, not only because they cannot afford to work for free, but because they cannot afford the costs associated with working, such as transportation and Bar certification fees. Yet we know that the pedagogical guidance provided by clinical faculty is essential in helping students develop and grow as legal professionals, offering a more enriching experience than interning independently. Three UC law schools (Berkeley Law, UCLA & UC Law SF) will share how they are tackling this issue through different initiatives. Examples of these approaches include covering parking costs at externship sites, providing public transit passes, offering alternative transportation options, and covering certification fees. Although all three schools are part of the UC system, their students face distinct financial challenges due to their locations in Berkeley, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. This panel will explore the rationale behind new transportation stipend policies, funding strategies, and implementation methods to reduce student debt.
Additionally, panelists will explore collaborative strategies with nonprofit, government, and private-sector partners to secure financial support, whether through stipends, coverage of certification fees, or assistance with transportation costs. With perspectives from externship faculty and an in-house clinical professor/Dean of Experiential Learning, this session will also highlight how integrating externships within the broader clinical community enhances impact.