UCDC Law Program

The UCDC Law Program is a full-semester externship program in Washington, D.C., available to UCLA Law students. The program combines a weekly seminar-style course with a full-time field placement to offer students an unparalleled opportunity to learn how federal statutes, regulations, and policies are made, changed, and understood in the nation’s capital. During the program, students will have contact with all three branches of the federal government, independent regulatory agencies, and nonprofits.

Program Director

Meet Nicole Lehtman

We sat down with Nicole Lehtman, who has led the UCDC Law program for nearly 15 years, to discuss the externship experience, placement process, and what makes it such a valuable opportunity for students.

Read the Q&A

Hear from Alumni

Dan Wetterhahn '24 (left) and Robina Henson '25 (right)

Hear from alumni who participated in the UCDC Law Program during law school: Robina Henson ’25 worked with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office (USTR) and Dan Wetterhahn ’24 externed with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Program Information

How to Apply
To apply to the UCDC Law Program all students must complete the following:
- Confirm eligibility. UCLA Law students must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply:
  - UCLA Law students must be in their fourth, fifth, or sixth semester of law school to participate in the program.
  - UCLA Law students must confirm with the Externship Office that they are eligible to participate in this program in terms of units, course requirements, and other academic planning issues. Please contact Anne Sidwell, director of extern & field placement programs to confirm eligibility.
- Submit a UCDC Law Program application.
  - Please note, the Required Externship Statement in the application must be submitted to Nicole Lehtman via email (nicole.lehtman@ucdc.edu).
- Submit your externship statement, resume, unofficial transcript, and a brief statement of interest via email to Nicole Lehtman via email (nicole.lehtman@ucdc.edu).
Scholarship Opportunities

UCLA Law students may be eligible for funding through the Jonathan R. Yarowsky Fellows Program, which provides financial support to help offset program costs. The fellowship is designed to make the program more accessible to students with demonstrated interest in public service or government work. Fellows benefit not only from financial support but also from being part of a cohort committed to public-interest-oriented legal careers. A separate application will be available this spring, with a deadline in late spring.
Questions?

For any questions, please contact UCDC Law Program director, Nicole Lehtman (nicole.lehtman@ucdc.edu) and follow @ucdc_law on Instagram for updates.