School of Law Names New Director of Externships

University Relations

Ashley U. Menendez

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Ashley U. Menendez has been appointed as director of externships at the University of Arkansas School of Law.

"As director of externships, I look forward to building upon the law school's outstanding field placement program," Menendez said. "Our students are incredibly lucky to have the ability to gain real world legal practice experience while in law school at a wide variety of placements — including corporations, prosecutors' offices, public defenders' offices, federal and state judges and a variety of public interest organizations in Northwest Arkansas and beyond. I bring to this role my legal practice background as an attorney in large and small firm private practice, as an in-house lawyer and as a judicial law clerk. I am passionate about professional identity formation and take seriously my role in helping each student 'connect the dots' between law school and their post-graduate legal career."

Menendez served as interim director of externships since August 2021 after the retirement of professor Angie Doss.

"Ashley brings a focused and thoughtful approach to building on a strong and successful program and has done an exceptional job in creating new opportunities and encouraging students to pursue experiences that are consistent with their career goals," Dean Cynthia Nance said. "I know the program will continue to thrive and grow under her leadership."

Menendez has been part of the law school since 2018. She worked in a variety of roles as part of the Student Services team, most recently as the director of academic excellence.

Prior to joining the School of Law, Menendez served as contract attorney for Walmart Stores Inc.; career advisor at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, and an associate at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Haynes and Boone LLP.

She was a judicial law clerk for the Hon. William F. Sanderson, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Texas, from 2007-09 and for the late Hon. Harry F. Barnes, U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas from 2001-02.

Menendez graduated cum laude from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama with a bachelor's degree in Communications.

University of Arkansas School of Law's Externship Program provides students with practical legal experience. Students get the opportunity to work outside of the law school in real practice settings while being mentored by the law school faculty. Find out more about the U of A externship program.

About the School of Law: The law school offers a competitive J.D. as well as an advanced LL.M. program, which are taught by nationally recognized faculty. The school offers unique opportunities for students to participate in pro bono work, externships, live client clinics, competitions, and food and agriculture initiatives. The school strives to identify, discuss, and challenge issues of race, color, ethnicity, and the impact(s) they have on students, faculty, and staff members in an effort to achieve a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community. From admitting the Six Pioneers who were the first African American students to attend law school in the South without a court order to graduating governors, judges, prosecutors, and faculty who went on to become President of the United States, the law school has a rich history and culture. Follows us at @uarklaw.