Clinics and Externships

At RWU Law, experiential learning bridges the gap between classroom theory and real-world legal practice. Our curriculum provides second- and third-year students with hands-on, professional training through three distinct academic pathways: In-House Clinics, Field Clinics, and Clinical Externships. Our Clinical legal education ("Clinics") allows students to participate in actual cases under the supervision of a practicing attorney or law professor. At the same time, our Clinical Externship Programs ("Externship") enable students to earn academic credit training under public interest lawyers, corporate counsel, or judges across specialized tracks—including Corporate Counsel, Government, Environmental & Land Use Law, Judicial, Prosecution, Public Interest, New York Pro Bono Scholars, and the Washington D.C. Semester-In-Practice.

Experiential Learning at RWU Law

To participate in any of these high-impact program tracks, students must apply in advance during our standard fall or spring application cycles. We highly encourage students to coordinate early with the Feinstein Center and attend our pre-deadline information sessions to discuss placement requirements, prerequisites, and track timelines. Admission requires formal selection by the respective program director; for Clinical Externships, acceptance is followed by a mandatory consultation session to discuss and finalize your specific placement—though students in our summer externship cohort typically secure their own spots in close coordination with the director.

What is the difference between an In-House Clinic, a Field Clinic, and a Clinical Externship?

In an In-House Clinic, a student works in the Providence Law Clinic under the supervision of a full-time faculty member whose sole purpose is to teach students and direct the clinic.  Students handle a small number of their cases from start to finish and, when the student practice rule permits it, are certified as student attorneys. 

In a Field Clinic, a student works outside of the law school under the supervision of an attorney who also serves as a member of our adjunct faculty.  Students are certified as student attorneys and handle a small number of their cases from start to finish.

In a Clinical Externship, a student trains outside of the law school under the direct supervision of public interest lawyers, corporate counsel, or judges. As the only law school in Rhode Island, RWU Law offers second- and third-year students unmatched access to high-impact legal placements across state and federal legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Through these diverse program tracks, students earn academic credit by taking on substantive, network-building projects designed to deepen their knowledge, expand their skill base, and provide real-world lessons inside a busy law office, corporation, or judicial chamber. For those seeking a truly immersive experience, our Semester-in-Practice (SIP) format enables full-time fieldwork that can be completed either locally or in an approved remote location chosen by the student and approved by the Clinical Externship Director.

preLaw Top School for Public Service 2025-2026In-House Clinics (Open to 2Ls and 3Ls)

All of our in-house clinics are supervised by full-time faculty members. Located in historic downtown Providence, Rhode Island, this professionally staffed, full-service law office hosts our specialized clinical programs.

Explore our clinic offerings to learn more about each program's requirements, scope, and casework:

Field Clinic (Open to 2Ls and 3Ls)

Our field clinic is supervised by highly experienced attorneys at a nationally regarded law firm who serve as members of our adjunct faculty. 

Clinical Externships (Open to 2Ls and 3Ls)

All clinical externships are taught by faculty members who teach a co-requisite seminar and supervise students in their fieldwork. Explore our specialized program tracks to learn more about each placement opportunity:

Semester-In-Practice

Participate in an innovative Semester-In-Practice Program that enables students to train full-time—either in one of our pre-established local placements or in a new remote placement of their choosing.

Pro Bono Clinics and Projects (Open to 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls)

The Pro Bono Collaborative (PBC) connects law students, private law firms, and community organizations in a unique three-way partnership to deliver vital pro bono legal services and community-based projects to low-income populations across Rhode Island. 

  • ACI Civil Legal Assistance
  • Eviction Help Desk
  • Street Law
  • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Learn more about Collaborative Projects

Learn more about Pro Bono

For more information, please contact the Administrator at the Feinstein Center.

Close Course Type Descriptions

Course Types

We have classified RWU Law classes under the following headers. One of the following course types will be attached to each course which will allow students to narrow down their search while looking for classes.

Core Course

Students in the first and second year are required to take classes covering the following aspects of the law—contracts, torts, property, criminal law, civil procedure, and constitutional law, evidence, and professional responsibility.  Along with these aspects, the core curriculum will develop legal reasoning skills.

Elective

After finishing the core curriculum the remaining coursework toward the degree is completed through upper level elective courses.  Students can choose courses that peak their interests or courses that go along with the track they are following.

Seminar

Seminars are classes where teachers and small groups of students focus on a specific topic and the students complete a substantial research paper.

Clinics/Externships

Inhouse Clinics and Clinical Externships legal education is law school training in which students participate in client representation under the supervision of a practicing attorney or law professor.  RWU Law's Clinical Programs offer unique and effective learning opportunities and the opportunity for practical experience while still in law school.