The mission: The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), working with many stakeholders, counties, tribal nations and nonprofits, provides essential services to Minnesota’s most vulnerable residents; people with disabilities, children, and others to meet their basic needs and to have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Program summary: Currently enrolled 2L, 3L and 4L law students, seeking real-world legal experience in a government organization, serving over a million people, may apply to DHS’s legal externship program to earn law school credit from hands-on legal experience. Note: You must also be enrolled in a credit-producing course at the time of the externship.
Terms: We provide opportunities at three times during the calendar year: the spring term (late January to late April), the summer term (early June to August) and the fall term (early September to December).
Background: DHS’s Legal Externship Program provides valuable, challenging and rewarding professional opportunities and experience for law school students. Our goal is to provide our externs with a better understanding of DHS’s role, thereby providing an opportunity to gain insight into the practices of law in the public sector.
Opportunities available: While placements are based on DHS’s needs, opportunities are often available in the:
- Administrative Law Unit
- Appeals Division
- Compliance Office
- Equal Opportunity and Access Division
- Health Care
- Legislative Affairs Office
- Office of the Inspector General
- Privacy Office
To apply, send the following:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Writing sample
- Academic transcript
by email to: Choua Yang, DHS internship recruiter and program coordinator, at: dhs.internships@state.mn.us
