Intern, Intake Unit (Spring 2027)

National Legal Aid & Defender Association; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 7,800 - 10,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Scholarship

Job summary

Legal Aid DC invites a Spring Intake Unit internship for 12 weeks (Jan 8, 2027–Apr 2, 2027). Internship involves processing intakes, drafting letters, reviewing court dockets, filing documents, and coordinating with staff to support clients.

Work is mainly at NW DC offices, with possible remote work approved by supervisor. Expect about 12 hours per week, with potential extension for outreach events.

Responsibilities

• Provide client intake support by receiving and processing inquiries and requests for assistance across all of Legal Aid’s practice areas.
• Provide administrative and operational support across all of Legal Aid’s practice areas.
• Assist in developing Intake material for internal use.
• Interact with clients, witnesses, and experts to gather information and provide support as needed.
• Collaborate with staff from across all Legal Aid’s practice areas.

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 Intake 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 primarily out of Legal Aid’s offices in NW DC, with the option to perform some work remotely if approved by their supervisor. Interns may also work out of our SE office based on organizational needs. Spring interns should expect to work at least 12 hours per week. The spring term is January 8, 2027-April 2, 2027.

The Intake Intern will be part of the Intake Unit and assist in conducting and processing intakes received from Applicants. The Intake Intern will also assist with other tasks assigned by various staff across all of Legal Aid’s practice areas, including, but not limited to composing letters, review assigned court dockets for follow up action; file court documents electronically or in person, assist with document gathering and organization, request interpreters for scheduled meetings, and request document translations through third party provider and provide support to various outreach partnership events. The Intake Intern will be expected to be able to work independently; however, support and supervision will be provided by the Intake Program Director and a member of the Intake Unit.

Responsibilities

• Provide client intake support by receiving and processing inquiries and requests for assistance across all of Legal Aid’s practice areas.
• Provide administrative and operational support across all of Legal Aid’s practice areas.
• Assist in developing Intake material for internal use.
• Interact with clients, witnesses, and experts to gather information and provide support as needed.
• Collaborate with staff from across all Legal Aid’s practice areas.

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.