The bill addresses important concerns regarding the financial strain on law students due to the high cost of law school, which averages approximately $175,000 for a Juris Doctor program. By allowing students to earn compensation in lieu of unpaid externships, it aims to reduce financial burdens and potentially allow for a broader range of students to participate in valuable practical education experiences. Additionally, it aligns California law with a growing national trend encouraging similar compensation policies in legal education, fostering a more equitable learning environment.
Summary
Assembly Bill 1155, introduced by Assembly Member Fong, aims to amend the Education Code by establishing guidelines for law students' externships. This bill mandates that all law schools accredited by the American Bar Association or California-accredited to provide law students with the opportunity to receive compensation from externship sites while concurrently earning academic course credit, starting August 1, 2026. The legislation seeks to rectify financial barriers faced by law students, many of whom accrue significant debt relative to the high costs associated with legal education in California.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding AB 1155 appears largely supportive, given its focus on making legal education more accessible and financially manageable for students. Supporters argue that compensating students during externships acknowledges the value of their work and experience, reduces the financial burden, and encourages a more diverse group of individuals to pursue careers in law. However, some skeptics may voice concerns regarding the potential implications for smaller externship sites that may not have the resources to offer compensation, possibly leading to a narrowing of opportunities available to students.
Contention
While AB 1155 supports the fundamental goal of ensuring law students can earn while learning, it does not enforce a mandatory pay structure for all externship scenarios, instead leaving the decision to offer compensation to the externship sites' discretion. This aspect could lead to disparities where some students in less well-funded externship settings may continue to face unpaid positions while others at larger firms or established organizations benefit from compensatory arrangements. The bill expressly clarifies that schools will not receive additional compensation beyond tuition for these externship opportunities, which is a point of contention for various stakeholders interested in the economic implications of these educational policies.