Intern, Reentry Justice Project (Spring 2027)

National Legal Aid & Defender Association; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Scholarship up to $2,650

Course credit possible

Job summary

Legal Aid DC is offering a spring internship with its Reentry Justice Project in Northwest Washington, D.C. The 12-week program runs January 8, 2027 to April 2, 2027, requiring about 12 hours per week. Interns may receive course credit and will work on cases impacting clients facing criminal record barriers.

The internship provides hands-on assignments and the opportunity to contribute to civil rights advocacy, with scholarship funding up to $2,650 for the 12 weeks.

Responsibilities

• Conduct criminal record searches to determine eligibility for sealing relief.
• Meet with and interview clients to learn their story and develop facts for motions to seal records.
• Assist attorneys in obtaining clients' police and court records.
• Draft motions to seal criminal records.
• Attend Reentry project meetings, skills workshops, and staff meetings.

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 Reentry Justice Project.

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 Reentry Justice Project. 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 12 hours per week. The spring term is January 8, 2027-April 2, 2027. Legal Aid DC’s Reentry Justice Project is dedicated to assisting clients facing barriers in accessing housing, employment, and other civil rights and opportunities as a result of having a criminal record. We provide representation to clients in areas including criminal record sealing, housing and employment denials based on criminal history, and challenges to other collateral consequences arising within our civil legal practice areas. We also advocate for policy changes before the D.C. Council, administrative agencies, and other legislative and regulatory bodies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct criminal case searches for record sealing applicants to determine the extent of their record and to assess what is eligible for sealing relief.
• Under the guidance of supervisors, meet with and interview clients to learn their story and develop the necessary facts for motions to seal their criminal records.
• Assist attorneys in requesting and obtaining clients' police and court records.
• Under the guidance of supervisors, draft motions to seal criminal records.
• Attend Reentry project meetings, skills workshops, Legal Aid staff meetings.

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.