Student Experiences

Law students get some extraordinary firsthand experiences through the externship.

  • An extern with Keurig Dr Pepper witnessed how different flavored drinks were developed.
  • Beck Construction let law students visit construction sites.
  • Mary Kay allowed its Russian-born extern to attend a global legal conference where she used her knowledge of Russian language and culture to network and work on a project involving Russian data privacy laws.
  • The extern at American Airlines slid down an emergency slide during a training simulation exercise. Out‐of‐office experiences like these contribute greatly to the capstone experience and help students learn the business.
  • The extern at AT&T, was able to have lunch with the company's general counsel, David McAtee.
  • The Jamba Juice general counsel took their extern to the Jamba Juice "lab" where new flavors and ingredients are tested to potentially add to the menu.
  • Students often have the chance to look behind the scenes to see how corporate entities analyze issues and make business decisions. Many students have attended board meetings over the course of the program.

  • Ricardo Alvarado

    Vistra Energy

    For a first-generation law student, charting a legal career can seem like a daunting black box. My most valuable learning experience was having individual conversations with attorneys in the department and gaining insight from their careers and legal practices. This program helped me understand the career parameters at an in-house legal department and allowed me to start develop my own goals as I start my legal career.

  • James Brien

    The Beck Group

    This externship program experience has made me feel much more comfortable reading contracts and understanding the content. I had never truly reviewed lengthy corporate contracts before this class, so it was a great learning experience and something that I felt was necessary to my legal education.

  • Emmanuel Nwakibu

    Hunt Oil

    The Corporate Counsel Externship Program was such an invaluable experience for me. It allowed me to take a front row seat in the high stakes world of oil and gas. I was given assignments on projects based all over the world.

  • Jessica Rolls

    Builders FirstSource, Inc.

    I attended SMU Dedman School of Law to participate in this program and it did not disappoint. The most valuable learning experience was interacting with the BFS attorneys on a daily basis. It was during my casual and friendly conversations with the BFS attorneys that I gained invaluable knowledge and advice.

  • Amy Steurer

    Fossil Group

    After graduation, I will be working with private and public companies as they navigate acquisitions. The Corporate Counsel Externship Program gave me real-world experience and in-depth exposure to many issues facing the in-house attorney, which will make me a better communicator as I work with in-house clients to assess what they need and successfully assist them in achieving their goals.

Delighted to welcome Mark Howard, Executive VP and Chief Legal Officer at Nationwide, and his team members to the SMU Dedman School of Law Corporate Counsel Externship Program. In an academic program focused on in-house practice, it was a true privilege to learn from the CLO of a Fortune 100 company who leads a department of approximately 1,100 professionals. 
In a law school program about in-house practice, David McAtee, General Counsel of AT&T is pretty much “royalty.” He and Chris Willis, Chief People Officer of PrimeSource Building Products presented a fantastic class session to SMU Dedman School of Law students on general counsel as leader.
Students learned how in-house lawyers support marketing, advertising, and the brand, from Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. attorneys Bria Riley and Anne Moretti Langford. Pictured with their SMU Dedman School of Law extern Julia St. John. Anne was in the very first externship course 11 years ago. It is gratifying to see her as successful in-house lawyer paying it forward mentoring and teaching law students.
SMU Dedman School of Law is all about meaningful connections! Our Corporate Counsel Externship Program is thriving with 5 dedicated student cohorts. Team Blanton had a fantastic social event at DL Mack’s. Vicki Blanton with AT&T, Julia St. John, Christopher Plummer, Hannah Kirby, Alejandro Cantu, Anne Moretti Langford with Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., and George Patrick.
SMU Dedman School of Law students kicked off their exploration of legal issues in pro sports with FC Dallas’ General Counsel, James O'Sullivan. Pictured here with FC Dallas externs, Shriya Senguttuvan and Macy Golman.

In the heart of Dallas, home to renowned retail companies, SMU Dedman School of Law students explored the legal threads that keep fashion retail giants and direct-to-consumer companies stylish and compliant. On the legal runway were:

  • Mary McCullough with Neiman Marcus Group
  • Brittani Lassiter with Milliard Diamond Concierge
  • Ryan Summer Parley with JCPenney
  • Alana Kalantzakis Ackels with Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP