Since 1932, Legal Aid has provided civil legal assistance to clients in individual cases and engaged in systemic reform. Currently, we provide individual representation in consumer law, domestic violence/family law, housing, public benefits, and appellate matters. We also work on immigration matters and help individuals with the collateral consequences of their involvement with the criminal justice system. From the experiences of our clients, we identify opportunities for law reform, public policy advocacy, and systemic impact and appellate litigation.
Legal Aid believes that meaningful pursuit of our anti-poverty mission requires an unwavering commitment to racial justice and equity. We aspire both to reflect the rich racial diversity of the communities we serve and to value, respect, and empower our staff and clients to be effective agents of change. For more information about Legal Aid please visit our website, www.LegalAidDC.org.
This internship is for Spring 2025 and will be 12 weeks in duration. Interns at Legal Aid DC have the unique opportunity to receive substantive assignments that will have an immediate impact on our clients. Legal Aid will help Spring semester interns receive course credit for their internships. Interns work out of Legal Aid’s offices in NW DC, with the option to perform some work remotely if approved by their supervisor. Spring interns should expect to work at least 12 hours per week.
For the past two decades, Legal Aid’s Appellate Project had litigated individual and systemic cases before the District of Columbia Court of Appeals – the District’s equivalent of a State Supreme court. The Project handles such cases in all subject-matter areas within Legal Aid’s expertise on behalf of individual litigants or Legal Aid as an institutional amicus curiae. The Project also handles a variety of other appellate-like matters in Superior Court and the federal courts and helps other Legal Aid units with strategy, record preservation, and legal research. The intern will report to the Appellate Director and the Appellate Fellow.
Responsibilities:
- Legal Research for active and potential appeals
- Writing Assignments including portions of briefs, motions, client correspondence, and third-party letters/statements
- Client communications
- Assisting in preparation for and observing moot courts and oral arguments
- Taking notes and participating in project meetings
- Reviewing publicly available documents regarding pending appeals to help determine whether Legal Aid should become involved
Requirements: Current law school student or graduate interested in public interest and appellate law.
To Apply:
Legal Aid values an inclusive, diverse workplace and encourages applications from interested persons from diverse backgrounds of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.
We strongly encourage applications from people with personal experience with the criminal justice system and/or with lived experiences in the communities we serve.
Submit your application, cover letter, resume, writing sample and transcript or letter of matriculation here. Applications will be accepted until October 22, 2024.