Our Residency-In-Practice Program
A cornerstone of real-world legal learning
Elon Law’s curriculum requires every second-year student to complete a full-time, course-connected residency-in-practice, the most immersive of the law school’s hands-on learning experiences. Through faculty-directed residencies, Elon Law students cultivate essential skills, values and judgment to help them excel as attorneys and deepen their understanding of various practice areas, while enabling attorneys to convey wisdom about the legal profession.
Bridging the divide between the legal academy and the practicing bar
Residencies create the opportunity for partnerships between Elon Law and the practicing bar and bench, unlike any working relationship in the profession. Judges and lawyers shape the future of the profession of law as students learn about the ethics, professionalism, knowledge, skill and judgment essential to the profession’s relevance and effectiveness.
In Residency, second-year law students work 32-36 hours a week over a 10-week trimester with their judge or attorney supervisor and a faculty member to create and implement a learning plan that develops an increased proficiency in professional legal skills and in an area of law practice. Learn more about Residency-in-Practice Program experiences from our students.
Important information for current students & prospective residency hosts
STUDENTS: Familiarize yourself with residency placement information that includes details on credit hours for current 2Ls and the match process (with links to forms) for 1Ls starting to plan for the upcoming academic year.
JUDGES & ATTORNEYS: Express interest here in becoming a residency supervisor and help shape the future of the profession of law.
Judicial Residencies
On Residency at Elon Law with the Judges of the N.C. District Court in Guilford County
Ayo Kuforiji L'21 shares reflections and stories from completing an Elon Law residency-in-practice with Guilford County judges who serve on the North Carolina District Court.
Hunter Cornelius L'20 reflects on his Residency-in-Practice with the Hon. Albert Diaz
Working full-time with a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit provided Elon Law student Hunter Cornelius L'20 an opportunity to hone legal writing skills developed in the Legal Method & Communication Program.
On Residency at Elon Law with a U.S. District Court Judge
Jessica Lynn Leach L'21 worked remotely full-time during the 2021 Winter Trimester for the Hon. Catherine Eagles of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. The Elon Law residency-in-practice introduced Leach to several legal issues, including the criteria for granting compassionate release to federal prison inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic, while providing opportunities for honing her legal writing skills.
Corporate Residencies
On Residency at Elon Law with Kontoor Brands, Inc.
Kionie James L'21 discusses her experience working with the legal team for a Greensboro-based global apparel company during her 2021 Winter Trimester residency-in-practice at Elon Law.
Brooke LaMachio L'20 reflects on her Residency-in-Practice experiences at The Carroll Companies
For Brooke LaMachio L'20, working full time for one of the largest private real estate developers in the Southeast as part of her Elon Law studies not only confirmed her interest in corporate law - it helped The Carroll Companies grow the economy and communities of a nation she loves.
On Residency at Elon Law with IMG Academy
Andrew Tawiah L'21 talks about his Elon Law 2021 Winter Trimester residency-in-practice with IMG Academy and IMG in Florida where he learned some of the business fundamentals of the sport and entertainment industries.
Kjirsten Durand-Johnson L'20 on the value for future students of a Residency-in-Practice at Syngenta
Kjirsten Durand-Johnson L'20 completed her Elon Law Residency-in-Practice for Syngenta, an international biotechnology and agricultural corporation with offices in Greensboro, North Carolina. As a student enrolled in Elon Law's JD/Master of Environmental Law and Policy dual-degree program, Durand-Johnson discovered opportunities to learn about the intersection of environmental law and agribusiness as she worked full-time with Syngenta attorneys representing a variety of practice areas.
Kaila D. Baccas L'20 on the many benefits of her Elon Law Residency-in-Practice work at Toshiba
Completing legal assignments for the in-house counsel of Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions in Raleigh, North Carolina, offered Kaila D. Baccas L'20 an opportunity to explore several practice areas through Elon Law's Residency-in-Practice Program. Baccas is pursuing her MBA through Elon Law's dual-degree program with the Martha & Spencer Love School of Business. Her residency complemented her current interests in corporate law.
On Residency at Elon Law with Chandler & Schiffman, PA
William "Andy" Mason in the Class of 2022 completed a residency-in-practice with Chandler & Schiffman, PA, a real estate firm based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Mason's experiences solidified his interests in practicing real estate law in North Caroina following his December 2022 graduation from Elon Law.
Elon Law student Sydney Rimmer L'24 on residency with Robertson & Associates
Pennsylvania native Sydney Rimmer L'24 describes her experience working with attorney Lee Robertson of Robertson & Associates, a boutique law firm in the Charlotte region specializing in business law, construction, and commercial real estate, during her Elon Law residency-in-practice over Winter 2024.
Elon Law student Kyra Auguste L'24 on residency with the Jacksonville Jaguars
Kyra Auguste L’24, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, reflects on her experience working with the legal operations team of a popular NFL franchise during her Winter 2024 residency-in-practice at Elon Law. Among the things she learned: Legal teams for professional sports franchises are involved in a wide range of legal matters, including intellectual property rights, real estate law, sponsorship agreements, venue contracts, labor law, and even immigration law for international players.
Government and Public Interest Residencies
On Residency at Elon Law with the Guilford County District Attorney's Office
Mallory Hopkins L'21 and Goodrich Thiel L'21 reflect on helping criminal prosecutors in Guilford County during their Elon Law residency-in-practice over the 2021 Winter Trimester. The two students were supervised by Elon Law alumnus Jackson Barnes L'May'17.
On Residency at Elon Law with the Forsyth County District Attorney's Office
Alison "Ali" DeHoek in the Class of 2022 shares details of her residency-in-practice with prosecutors in the Forsyth County District Attorney's Office in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. DeHoek is eyeing opportunities to practice criminal law in Colorado following her December 2022 graduation from Elon Law.
Clinic Residencies
Elon Law's Small Business & Entrepreneurship Clinic: A 'win-win' for students and clients
Learn how students benefit from their instruction and hands-on learning experiences in Elon Law's Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee. Discover more information about the clinic: https://www.elon.edu/u/law/academics/experiential/our-clinics/entrepreneurship/
Evan Tarver L'20 details his Residency-in-Practice with the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Clinic
Articles of incorporation. Intellectual property. COVID-19 resources for businesses. Evan Tarver L'20 completed his Elon Law Residency-in-Practice and subsequent summer work with the law school's Small Business & Entrepreneurship Clinic, an experience that complemented his professional ambitions of working in public interest law.
Reflections on the Importance of Experiential Learning
“In today’s world of law practice, it’s essential that attorneys, legal organizations and law schools collaborate in the professional preparation of new lawyers. The clients and communities we serve expect and deserve seasoned legal counsel, even from junior attorneys. Law students can cultivate expertise through in-depth, on-the-job training, interwoven with the study of law and other skill building experiences in law school. Students can benefit a great deal from the insight and guidance of accomplished attorneys. I’m excited about the possibility of shifting our profession’s approach to new lawyer development. We just need to work together to make it happen.”
– Afi Johnson-Parris, former president, Greensboro Bar Association, attorney, Johnson-Parris Law, PLLC, Greensboro, N.C.
“The immersive work placements I experienced as an Elon Law student proved tremendously helpful in my legal education and professional development. They provided me with important connections and deep insight into the practice of law. Elon Law’s residency program goes further. It presents an opportunity for lawyers to take a direct role in shaping the future of the profession. It is an important new avenue to cultivate values, judgment and skills in new attorneys, so that they can provide insightful counsel in a rapidly changing business environment.”
– Nathan Standley L’11, vice president / associate general counsel, State Employees’ Credit Union, Raleigh, N.C.
“Elon Law prepared me for success because my legal education did not end at legal theory. Elon Law went a step further, teaching the practical application of the law and showing me how to use my skills to serve clients and the community. Through residency experiences Elon Law students will become prepared to meet today’s expectations for lawyers, to be not just legal experts but also professional problem solvers who can provide economical and practical solutions for their clients.”
– Rachael Dimont L’10, attorney professional liability litigation, LabCorps, Burlington, N.C.
Questions about Elon Law’s residency-in-practice program? Contact Associate Professor Katherene Conner, Director of Residencies at Elon Law, at kconner2@elon.edu or 336-279-9311, 201 N. Greene Street, Greensboro, NC, 27401.