Fall 2025 Corporate Counsel Externship Program at UC Law San Francisco
Program Overview
UC Law San Francisco is excited to announce the participating organizations for the upcoming Fall 2025 Corporate Counsel Externship Program (CCEP). This program provides 2L and 3L law students with invaluable opportunities to work in top legal departments across various sectors, highlighting UC Law SF’s strong connections within the Bay Area business and non-profit communities.
Ranked #8 nationally for producing general counsels at S&P 500 companies, UC Law SF continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering legal talent through practical experiences.
Participating Organizations
The following organizations will be engaging with students in the Fall 2025 program:
- Airbnb
- Asana
- Chime
- Delicato Wines
- DoorDash
- Kaiser Permanente
- Lyft
- Mercedes-Benz
- Motive
- Payactiv
- Plaid
- University of California, Office of the President
- Unity
- Visa
- WeightWatchers
- Wikimedia
Development of Essential Skills
Since its inception in 2019, CCEP has focused on equipping students with essential skills for law practice. Participants learn to interpret and adapt legal advice to align with the goals of corporate clients, gaining insights into the workings of in-house legal teams.
Faculty and Mentorship
Nira Geevargis, Clinical Professor and Director of Externship Programs, stated, “The Corporate Counsel Externship Program is a privilege to be a part of — we work with phenomenal students who care deeply about their work and uplift each other in our seminar.”
Scott Darling, Chief Legal Officer at Upstart, remarked, “Every semester several students from the class tell me that this was the most rewarding experience they had in law school.”
Experiential Learning and Classroom Instruction
The program integrates experiential learning with theoretical instruction, featuring a weekly seminar tailored to explore the functionality of corporate counsel and the development of legal competencies. For a minimum of 12 weeks, students benefit from direct supervision by experienced attorneys who provide essential training and mentorship.
Valuable Partnerships
CCEP maintains robust connections within the Bay Area by collaborating with various prominent businesses. One notable partner, Stitch Fix, has consistently offered placements since 2020. Joanna Patty, Director of Legal, Product and Commercial at Stitch Fix, expressed, “CCEP has provided great mentorship opportunities for our legal team and has even served as a pipeline for identifying and hiring top talent.”
Alumni like Kerry Moller, who began her journey as a CCEP extern at Stitch Fix, affirm the program’s significant role in shaping their careers, leading to pipelines into in-house positions.
Broadening Horizons with Non-Profit Perspectives
Students also gain exposure to the unique challenges faced by non-profit organizations through placements at entities such as the University of California, Office of the President, Kaiser, and Wikimedia. This aspect of CCEP enriches their understanding of in-house legal practices across different operational models.
Jasmine Williams, a third-year law student, shared her experience stating, “This work impacts thousands—possibly even millions—of students like me. It plays a vital role in shaping the policies and decisions that impact the entire UC system.”
Conclusion
The Corporate Counsel Externship Program at UC Law San Francisco not only enhances legal skills for its participants but also fosters professional growth and networking opportunities. This impactful program continues to contribute to the educational journey of future legal professionals, equipping them with the tools needed to thrive in various legal contexts.
