Employment During the Academic Year

The study of law is demanding. It requires the highest level of concentration and is designed to be a full-time effort for students for three years.

Most students devote from 50 to 70 hours a week to classroom attendance, preparation for class, and other activities directly related to their legal education. These include participation in appellate briefing and argument competitions, work on one of the three law reviews, and involvement in actual cases through various clinics.

1L - During the first two semesters of law study, students must obtain permission from the Senior Assistant Dean of Students to work. Submit a request.

2L and 3L – Upper-year students have part-time work options on and off-campus. No student may work in excess of 20 hours per week while enrolled as a full-time student.

On-Campus Opportunities – Research assistantships with professors offer students: 

  • in-depth learning in particular fields
  • involvement in original work in developing areas of the law
  • the opportunity to work closely with faculty members

Off-Campus Opportunities – We encourage all students to work off-campus for at least one summer during law school. Our Career Development Office speciaiizes in guiding students through the process of securing work opportunities during and after law school. 

Work-Study Funding – Securing work-study funding may facilitate students' employment in certain on-campus opportunities and with certain off-campus entities: 

  • Students may apply for the Federal College Work-Study Program
  • If awarded work-study, students are eligible to apply for a variety of employment opportunities on and off-campus
  • Off-campus employers have included Boulder County Attorney’s Office, Colorado Attorney General’s Office, Denver District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office
  • View a complete listing of off-campus work-study agencies. The Student Employment Office, located in the University Memorial Center (Room 100), lists on and off-campus employment opportunities for students seeking work-study and non work-study positions. 
  • Students are also eligible to apply for the summer work-study program. Summer applications are available the first week of February each year.