Why did you choose to work with one of the clinics? And why did you choose the externship program?
I chose to work with the externship clinic because I had always been interested in health law and also in the work of a General Counsel. I pictured General Counsel at a hospital as being a 'dream job' that I really wanted to explore. The externship clinic gave me the chance to do this.
What was your externship placement and your role there?
I worked two days a week in the General Counsel's Office at Boston Medical Center (BMC). I worked with two attorneys at the Office and did a number of legal research and writing projects. I also got to attend numerous meetings and interviews. BMC was a very exciting place to work—not only is it a large and busy hospital, but BMC faces additional challenges serving a large population of low income patients.
What was your most memorable experience in your placement, and why?
It is hard to choose just one memorable experience. I really enjoyed the unique environment of my placement. At the General Counsel's Office, lawyers never know what issue will arise next. The lawyers handle such a variety of issues—they deal with difficult and personal patient matters with great compassion and also deal with the business challenges of running a corporation. I had the chance to work on so many different matters—everything from regulatory reporting, contracts and employment law, to trademarks and health law.
What did you gain from participating in the program?
In addition to being exposed to different substantive areas of the law, I improved my research and writing skills while working on legal issues relevant to my interests. I also got to work with some great attorneys who gave me lots of career advice, networking opportunities and new ideas.
What advice would you give to incoming students curious about the clinical programs?
My best advice about the clinical program is to sign up for it! Don't be intimidated by the idea that you have to find a placement, because doing so is extremely easy. Externship employers have relationships with BU and are happy to take BU students. The externship program is a great way to explore the job you always wanted and there's very little hassle involved in applying and setting up a placement.
