Summer Legal Interns in Child Welfare

Defender Association of Philadelphia; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

The Defender Association of Philadelphia offers a summer internship in its Child Advocacy Unit (CAU) for rising 2Ls and 3Ls interested in children’s issues and juvenile justice. Interns gain hands-on experience in advocacy, legal research, client interviewing, and case management under supervision.

Interns will participate in comprehensive training, mentoring, and exposure to court observation, home visits, and multidisciplinary collaboration to support dependent children in abuse, neglect, and

Qualifications

• Be a current law student in good standing – only 2Ls and rising 3L can apply.
• Interest and commitment to children’s issues and juvenile justice.
• Experience or interest in serving racially and socioeconomically oppressed clients and communities.
• Ability to deal effectively with children, adolescents, and family members.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a high-volume practice.
• Relevant clinical program or work experience, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on advocacy, legal research, and case management under supervision.
• Collaborate with supervising attorneys and social workers on specific cases.
• Participate in comprehensive training with individualized supervision and mentoring.
• Opportunity to observe court proceedings and engage in client interviews and home/placement visits.

Skills

Legal research

Client interviewing

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Summer Legal Interns in Child Welfare

Temporary Interns Summer Main Office, Philadelphia, PA, US

15 days ago Requisition ID: 1675

Summer Law Internship in Child Welfare

The Defender Association of Philadelphia offers law students a rich and exciting summer internship program from the end of May through August 2027 in our Child Advocacy Unit (CAU). This Unit provides legal representation for dependent children, from birth to 21 years of age, in matters involving allegations of physical and sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, truancy and incorrigibility as well as in adoption proceedings. In keeping with the mandates of the Juvenile Act, while we protect and promote the legal interests of these children, we also strive to serve their best interests. A multidisciplinary team of attorneys and social workers assess the needs and welfare of each child, and then make recommendations to the Court to ensure our clients’ safety and to achieve permanency for our clients in a loving and supportive home environment.

What You’ll Do

Our summer program is designed for second year law students with a real interest in children’s issues, the child welfare system and juvenile justice. This experience offers broad exposure to the practical applications of child welfare law. Most of our interns will work collaboratively with supervising attorneys and social workers on specific cases. Interns will participate in comprehensive training and received individualized supervision and mentoring. Interns will get direct, hands‑on experience with advocacy, legal research, court observation, client interviewing, home/placement visits, crisis intervention, negotiation, and case management.

What You’ll Need

• Be a current law student in good standing – only 2Ls and rising 3L can apply
• Interest and commitment to children’s issues and juvenile justice
• Experience or interest in serving racially and socioeconomically – oppressed clients and communities
• Ability to deal effectively with children, adolescents, and family members
• Ability to work collaboratively in a high-volume practice
• Relevant clinical program or work experience, preferred

Who is the Defender?

The Defender Association of Philadelphia is more than just a law firm. We’re the community’s lawyers. Our mission-driven, client-centered model focuses on outcomes that support a system that is fundamentally fair and creates safer, stronger communities. Our unique model and approach give our staff with the skills and support they need to get the best outcomes for our clients. Many former Defenders go on in their careers to serve as judges, state and federal officials, and successful private practitioners. Come join our team! Come join our team! For more information, go Defender’s Child Advocacy Unit and follow us @PhillyDefenders (Twitter, IG, Tiktok) and on LinkedIn .

The Defender Association provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, The Defender Association complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training