Intern, Domestic Violence & Family Law Unit (Spring 2027)

National Legal Aid & Defender Association; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 8,900 - 11,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Scholarship funding

Job summary

Legal Aid DC in Washington, DC is offering a spring internship in the Domestic Violence & Family Law Unit for 12 weeks in 2027. Interns will work closely with Senior Staff Attorneys and may perform some work remotely with supervisor approval.

The program provides course credit eligibility and hands-on assignments impacting clients. Interns should expect to work at least 15 hours per week and will learn about custody, divorce, child support, and Civil Protection Orders, while supporting outreach

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in law school or pursuing a JD/LLB.
• Strong research and writing skills in legal contexts.
• Ability to conduct intake interviews and assist with client communication.

Responsibilities

• Shadow court-based projects (Domestic Violence Intake Center, Child Support Resource Center, Family Law Assistance Network).
• Draft motions and other filings.
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda.
• Contact clients for updates and information.
• Conduct intake interviews with new applicants.
• Assist with trial preparation and organizing exhibits.
• Attend court hearings and take notes for attorneys.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting

Interviews

Education

Law student

Job description

Position Description

Legal Aid DC, a nonprofit organization with an approximately $18 million annual budget and a staff of approximately 130 employees, is seeking a spring intern to join our Domestic Violence & Family Law Unit.

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 immigration matters. We also help people 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 also administers the DC Resource Bridge, a single access point for legal services in the District.

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.

Our work is supported through public and private grants and private fundraising from individuals, law firms, and other contributors.

This internship is for Spring 2027 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 15 hours per week. The intern will report to a Senior Staff Attorney in the Domestic Violence & Family Law Unit.

The spring term is January 8, 2027-April 2, 2027.

The Domestic Violence & Family Law unit handles caseloads of Civil Protection Order, custody, child support, and divorce cases. We participate in community outreach, interview prospective clients, and engage in systemic reform efforts. The DV/Family Law unit primarily works out of our NW office but may also work out of or help staff one or more community offices: in NW at the DC Superior Courthouse, in SE at the “Big Chair” office complex in Anacostia, and the Child Support Resource Center and Family Law Assistance Network courthouse project offices at DC Superior Court.

Responsibilities

• Learn about all substantive issue areas we handle (custody, divorce, child support, parentage, Civil Protection Orders)
• Shadow at court-based projects (the Domestic Violence Intake Center(s), Child Support Resource Center, and Family Law Assistance Network)
• Drafting motions and other filings
• Conducting legal research and writing memoranda
• Contacting existing clients to provide updates or obtain information
• Conducting intake interviews with new applicants
• Contacting potential witnesses
• Drafting hearing notes/trial materials (such as direct examinations, cross examinations, opening statements, or closing arguments)
• Reviewing and analyzing evidence
• Assist with trial preparation (organizing exhibits, etc.)
• Attending court hearings (including taking notes on testimony for attorneys)

Scholarship Funding

• Interns will receive a scholarship of up to $2,650 for the 12 week internship. Interns will not receive scholarship funding if they receive outside funding for their internship or they are interning through a school program that precludes them from being paid.