Field Placement (Externship) Supervisor Agreement

Thank you for agreeing to supervise a student field placement with the University of Nebraska College of Law! This form is required for each individual student, for each semester or summer a student may be working with you. 

Some Quick Details You Should Know:

  • Onsite supervisors should be in contact with the Director of Externships - we ask our students to help facilitate this connection and start the process.
  • The student(s) will ask to meet with you 2-3 times during the semester for specific essays and journals they're doing in our accompanying course. At the mid-point and at the conclusion of the semester or session the students will ask you for evaluations. These are required for them to receive a passing grade in the course and we appreciate your cooperation in returning the form in a timely manner.
  • Students attend class every other week per semester or session, and have about one hour of weekly readings and writing assignments. For specialized full time placement we request you make time for the student to attend the course, remotely or in person.
  • If you have a specially approved paid position, students may never be paid for hours spent preparing for the course or class time. 

Supervisor's Manual:

  • In filling out, electronically signing, and submitting this form you will confirmyou've read and understand the Supervisors Manual, including provisions addressing the Fair Labor Standards Act. An online version of the manual is available here. 
  • One key theme of the manual is that these placements are first and foremost meant to be educational experiences. You should provide your student regular assignments and feedback. 
  • There is special consideration made for unpaid students placed in for-profit organization that is clearly laid out in the manual. In order to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act student placements must: be similar to training which would be given in an educational environment (though may include actual operations); the experience is for the benefit of the student; 3. the student does not displace regular employees, but works under close supervision of existing staff; the employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the student; and on occasion its operations may actually be impeded; the student is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the internship; and the employer and the student understand that the student is not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship. By submitting this form the onsite supervisor is recognizing these conditions and confirms their compliance.

Does the student have onsite workspace? Required
I confirm the student will have timely access to any necessary networks or tools they need to actively participate in the office, as appropriate to their educational goals (example: listservs, servers, meetings, etc) Required
I have reviewed the University of Nebraska College of Law Field Placement (Externship) Supervisors Guide and agree to comply with the educational goals and administrative requirements stated therein. Required
I understand that the purpose of the Externship Program is to allow the student to develop his or her professional legal skills in an applied setting. Required
I agree that the student will be given assignments that are consistent with the educational goals of the Externship Program. Student assignments will be as challenging as the student can reasonably handle and the student will be given feedback. Required
I acknowledge that the required working time for the student will be 42.5 hours for each hour of externship academic credit for which the student has registered. Required
I understand the Fair Labor Standards may apply where the student is placed at a "for-profit" business or organization. If applicable, I have reviewed and will comply with the guidelines for an unpaid or paid placement at a for-profit institution. Required
Confirmation that the supervising attorney is aware of the organization’s relevant employment policies, including any policies relating to ethics, whistleblower complaints, retaliation, diversity, equity and inclusion, and equal opportunity. Required
Policies should be provided and reviewed with students.
Confirmation that the supervising attorney is aware of the organization's policies and standards for confidentiality and any relevant privacy or information (IT) security policies. Required
Policies should be provided and reviewed with students.
The student will receive payment for their onsite externship hours in the form of direct compensation, fellowships, or reimbursements for reasonable expenses incurred during the externship. Required
Note, payments must not compromise the educational nature of the externship and must align with the learning goals of the program. Students must never be paid for hours spent in the supplementary externship course or working on assignments for that course.
Signature date Required