General Interest (Law Students)

Community Legal Aid (CLA) is the civil legal aid program serving the low-income and elderly residents of Central and Western Massachusetts. Through CLA's effective advocacy in more than 8,000 cases each year, some of the most vulnerable residents of the region obtain safe and stable housing; fight discrimination in the housing and employment arenas; access unemployment, disability and other benefits to stabilize their income; break free from domestic violence and other abuse and exploitation; and get needed services in school. In addition, CLA's wholly-owned subsidiary, the Central West Justice Center (CWJC), specializes in cases involving humanitarian-based immigration relief.

Community Legal Aid and Affiliate accept law students during the academic year (fall and spring semester) but primarily accept interns for our summer internship program. Academic year interns are expected to work a minimum of 10 hours per week, to be arranged according to their class schedule. Summer interns work full-time (35 hours a week) for 10 weeks and participate in weekly learning sessions that introduce the different types of legal aid work at the organization.

INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Law student interns apply to work in one of Community Legal Aid and Affiliate's substantive practice areas and will assist our attorneys in representing clients. Specific responsibilities vary by unit but may include:

• Conducting client interviews and advising clients with appropriate supervision
• Researching and drafting briefs and other legal documents
• Assisting in preparing pleadings
• Assisting in trial and/or hearing preparation
• Attending community meetings, outreach events, and/or court and agency hearings with staff advocates

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited Juris Doctor (JD) or Master of Law (LLM) program
• Demonstrated experience or strong interest in public interest law

COMPENSATION:

We encourage students selected for internships with CLA to secure funding through law school public interest scholarships, work-study options, the Massachusetts Bar Foundation internship stipends, or other funding sources. We pay our summer interns if they cannot receive summer stipends/funding from their law schools. Part-time internship opportunities are unpaid but may fulfill academic or pro bono credit.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Candidates interested in an internship with CLA or CWJC should apply to an internship listing with a specific unit and office location. If no such openings are currently available, please submit your application to this General Interest listing with your cover letter and resume. We have filled all other units and are currently accepting Summer Intern applicants for our Immigrations Units located in Springfield and Pittsfield who are Fluent in Spanish/English. For questions, please contact Recruitment Coordinator, Gertrude Addo at

iliu@cla-ma.org