The Public Interest Law Center is hiring fall legal interns and one undergraduate intern.
The Amy Ginensky & Andy Rogoff Emerging Advocate Initiative is our internship program for law students and undergraduates seeking an opportunity to immerse themselves in high impact legal work.
At the Law Center, you’ll gain experience in civil rights law and learn the inner workings of one of Philadelphia’s premier public interest firms. Law Center attorneys, organizers and staff are committed to helping train the next generation of civil rights attorneys, advocates, and nonprofit leaders. Through our internship program, we offer mentorship and support; host guest speakers and other opportunities to learn more about a variety of areas of law and public interest advocacy; and provide practical education in skills like legal writing.
All internship positions are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with opportunities for remote or in-person participation. We encourage students to seek outside funding opportunities, work-study availability or school credit and we will gladly handle any necessary administrative requirements. We offer limited funding opportunities for law students through the Clarke Scholars Fund for the summer program.
The Public Interest Law Center values a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment where law students of all backgrounds have a sense of belonging and can thrive. We encourage students of all diverse backgrounds to apply. We welcome you to share with us in your application how your diversity influences your decision to pursue a public interest internship and how your life experiences inform your commitment to racial and social justice and to the client communities we serve.
Legal Interns
We primarily hire 2L interns due to our litigation focused practice which requires advanced legal research and writing skills, but welcome 1L applications and regularly offer positions to standout candidates.
We give interns significant responsibilities on substantive legal projects in the areas of voting, education, housing, employment, health care, and environmental justice. Over the course of a term, interns typically complete assignments in several of these practice areas and can pursue work related to areas of particular interest. Assignments include legal research and writing; drafting briefs, pleadings, and discovery requests; reviewing and analyzing discovery responses and documents; interviewing clients and witnesses; and preparing policy memoranda and proposed legislation. Interns interested in community lawyering also have the opportunity to work alongside community lawyers and organizers to support outreach and relationship building efforts, community meetings and clinics, and collective direct actions. Interns also gain practical experience through shadowing attorneys at meetings and court appearances.
We seek applicants with the following qualifications:
1. Excellent analytical and research skills;
2. Demonstrated excellence in legal writing;
3. Initiative and creativity;
4. Collaborative skills and capacity for teamwork with colleagues and clients;
5. Enthusiasm about our mission.
Undergraduate Interns
We offer limited opportunities (usually one position) for undergraduate students.
We give undergraduate interns significant responsibilities in the areas of voting, education, housing, employment, health care, and environmental justice. Undergraduate interns will have an opportunity to explore and experience high impact legal work. Undergraduates complete assignments in various practice areas and can pursue work related to areas of particular interest. Assignments include factual research and investigation; drafting memoranda; reviewing and analyzing data and documents; supporting organizing efforts and community education. Undergraduates also gain practical experience through shadowing attorneys and organizers.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
For fall internships, we begin reviewing applications in early June.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample. Your cover letter should not exceed 1 page and should include a statement of your reasons for seeking an internship at the Public Interest Law Center. If possible, please format your materials as a single PDF file. Please send these materials by email to Leanne Almeida.
Note: Penn Law School students must apply for fall and spring internships through the Gittis Externship application process. For summer internships, Penn Law students should apply through the process above.
The Law Center is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all candidates to apply regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance.
The Law Center is committed to keeping children safe, and each person serving as an intern is responsible for meeting the requirements of the Law Center’s Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
