Public Interest Law Students Internship

Community Legal Aid; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 20,664 - 27,552; Part time

Job summary

Community Legal Aid in Worcester, MA is seeking law students for internship opportunities. Interns will conduct client interviews, research legal matters, and assist in trial preparation under supervision.

The internships are available during the academic year and summer, with specific hourly commitments. Interns gain valuable experience in public interest law and have opportunities to earn academic or pro bono credit.

Compensation varies, with summer internships offering payment of $15 to $20 per hour.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in public interest law.
• Experience with legal documents and client interaction is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Conducting client interviews and advising clients.
• Researching and drafting briefs and legal documents.
• Assisting in trial and hearing preparation.
• Attending community meetings and court hearings.

Skills

Conducting client interviews

Researching and drafting legal documents

Trial preparation assistance

Education

Currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited JD or LLM program

Job description

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

• 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.

Salary: $15 - $20 per hour