Students at The John Marshall Law School were among the leaders of a petition drive asking the American Bar Association (ABA) to drop its stipulation that students not be paid for time at externships or internships.
Melissa Soso, president of the Student Bar Association, said students are essentially paying to work because they pay tuition for externship credit. Today’s economics make it necessary for more students to work, reducing their chances for externship experience. The rule essentially makes them choose.
The ABA Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar has agreed to review its stipulation that law students participating in externships or internships not be paid for their work. The ABA took the request under advisement after the students’ petition response showed 95 percent of responders say they would participate in externships if they were paid.
