The Rural Judicial Externship (RJE) offers selected law students a salary, stipend, tuition reimbursement, and housing (or housing stipend) in exchange for working in a rural community for the summer as a judicial extern. Judges supervising judicial externs are expected to provide legal research, writing, and court observation opportunities to the extern; introduce the extern to members of the legal community; attend local community, pro bono, and bar association events with the extern; and provide professional mentorship and guidance to the extern.

Eligibility and Requirements:

Eligibility:

  • Candidate must be a student at an ABA-accredited law school who has completed at least one year of law school (preference for New Mexico residents)

Requirements:

  • Student must complete 30 hours per week for 10 weeks of judicial externship work (May – August)
  • If seeking tuition reimbursement for a concurrent summer law school externship course, student must fulfill all school class hours and complete all class requirements. Student is responsible for enrolling in the externship class for the summer of the RJE. Student must provide proof of enrollment and proof of tuition payment for the concurrent law school summer externship course

Placement:

  • Relocation to the rural area is required for the duration of the externship. Daily commuting to the rural area from a non-rural location is allowed on a case-by-case basis
  • Placements will be with judges in New Mexico judicial districts demonstrating the most need for legal services. No placements will be made in Bernalillo, Doña Ana, or Santa Fe Counties. Law student preferences will be considered

Compensation:

  • Salary of $37.50 per hour (no healthcare benefits)
  • Stipend of $5,000 paid upon successful completion of the program
  • Tuition reimbursement for a concurrent law school summer externship course of up to $1800 (proof of enrollment and tuition payment required)
  • Housing (university or college-supplied housing at participating schools in rural communities. If there is no university/college housing available and the student is unable to secure no cost housing, a housing stipend with a maximum payment of $4,000 can be offered)

Application:

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