The Opinion Pages
Room for Debate

September 17, 2014

Getting Pay and Credit for a Legal Education

Introduction

DESCRIPTIONDevi Patel, left, worked as an extern at the Safe Passage Project at New York Law School. Should law students in externships have to choose between compensation and course credit? Karsten Moran for The New York Times

The American Bar Association prohibits law students from receiving pay for internships and externships that grant them academic credit. Critics have pressured the organization to reverse this standard, as law students face mounting debt and a slow job market.

Should law students be able to get compensation for internships that count toward graduation?

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Debaters

  • Aaron Sohaski

    Let Us Get Paid

    Aaron Sohaski, Law Student

    Before granting credit, law schools could still evaluate paid externship opportunities on a case-by-case basis to ensure they meet stringent educational requirements.

  • Olympia Duhart

    Money Changes Everything

    Olympia Duhart, law professor

    Yes, law students need money but rolling back the prohibition on allowing them to receive pay and credit for the same work ignores some key realities.

  • Michael A. Cardozo

    Don’t Deny Credit When Credit Is Due

    Michael A. Cardozo, Former New York corporation counsel

    Government and nonprofit offices provide part-time work and academic credit, which would be denied if the students were paid.

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