Written by: Blake Etringer

Iowa Law’s renowned externship program grants students extensive real-world experience under the guidance of a practicing attorney. It offers students the opportunity to learn and develop their skills outside of the traditional classroom setting, affording them invaluable career development and the chance to establish lasting connections with professionals.

Externships are available to rising 2L and 3L students during the summer months as well as the academic year. Academic year placements range from full-time semester-long externships at locations across the country to part-time field placements in the Iowa City area.

Here are testimonies from three recent externship participants.

Kyle Estel (25JD)

“During my externship at the SEC under Dean C. Metry, chief administrative law judge, I worked on policymaking matters and participated in discussions impacting financial regulations across the country. It was eye opening to be part of a team that plays such a key role in shaping the financial landscape, and it deepened my understanding of how decisions are made and the teamwork required to make them happen.

“What I valued most were the connections I made with the SEC staff, who were always willing to share their insights. They helped me understand what a career in law can look like and offered great tips for my future. This experience fueled my interest in securities law and gave me the chance to work on unique issues. It was a solid reminder of how much I enjoy tackling complex legal challenges and how important this work can be.“

Adele Raymer (26JD)

“At my externship, I had the opportunity to research and write memos on a variety of legal questions relating to family law. For example, I wrote a memo on the extent to which Iowa courts take children’s wishes into account when determining custody arrangements. One of the most interesting projects that I worked on was drafting legislation to address the Iowa Supreme Court’s recent decision in In re Marriage of Frazier. This case limited the power of Iowa courts to resolve disputes between joint legal custodians who reach impasses over important decisions affecting their children. Through drafting legislation, I felt that I was not only learning about family law but also contributing to the field.

“I am grateful that I was able to attend court proceedings, attorney meetings, CLEs, and other events that expanded my perspectives of the legal field. This externship was invaluable to my legal education and will help me as I begin my career in family law.”

Kegan Peters (25JD)

“During the fall of my 3L year, I externed for Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, which is a nonprofit environmental litigation firm based out of St. Louis, Missouri. Great Rivers is composed of a small group of attorneys. The attorneys showed great trust in me by allowing me to work on a variety of assignments—from researching RICO to the Clean Air Act; from drafting public comments on agency rulemaking to subpoenas; from sitting in on client calls to participating in staff meetings. I was excited to extern again with Great Rivers this spring. I valued the opportunity to continue developing my legal skills and furthering my connections with the environmental community in St. Louis.”