Public Counsel’s Summer ’23 Internship Opportunities
Half of Public Counsel’s eight exciting law projects are still hiring summer interns. Our projects include a comprehensive children’s rights program that handles school condition and discipline matters, special education cases, and adoptions; a community development team that supports affordable housing development and assists non-profit and small businesses with a variety of transactional needs; an immigrants’ rights group that does compelling asylum work on behalf of victims of torture and political persecution; a homelessness prevention unit that defends unlawful detainer complaints, advocates for welfare benefits, and eliminates outstanding tickets and warrants for persons at-risk of homelessness; a holistic legal initiative that addresses the specific needs of low-income women and girls; a complex consumer fraud division that focuses on litigation and policies to prevent consumer victimization; and an impact litigation department (Opportunity Under Law) that addresses economic injustices on a national level through strategic lawsuits and other means to accomplish systemic reform. Click here to learn more about each of our practice areas.
Public Counsel seeks summer interns who share our commitment to economic and racial justice. The large majority of Public Counsel’s clients are working-class people of color who have experienced a number of intersectional forms of oppression, often barring them from access to legal representation. We seek to have a group of interns who have a personal and/or professional understanding of these experiences. We are especially interested in receiving applications from historically underrepresented students in terms of race, economic background, and other characteristics, consistent with our active, ongoing commitment to increase equity and inclusion within our organization.
Public Counsel’s summer 2023 internship program is hybrid/remote and will run for ten weeks, commencing May 30, 2023, and ending on August 4, 2023. Both 1L’s and 2L’s are eligible for these internships. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Although Public Counsel is currently applying for a California State Bar fellowship to provide some funding to law students participating in our summer program, the funding is not yet guaranteed for our organization, so please be sure to consult with your law school’s public interest program to learn more about available scholarships and financial awards that might support your summer internship.
To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, transcript (or list of grades), and writing sample to Sandra Madera. Please list up to three of the projects you would like to work with in order of preference in the body of the email you send with your application materials. It is helpful to describe in your cover letter the reasons for your interest in the project for which you are applying. Please be sure to include the following in the subject line of your e-mail: “Application for 2023 Public Counsel Summer Internship.” Your application will not be considered if the requested application materials or your project preferences are omitted.
Projects with open summer positions:
Children’s Rights – Guardianship (In-person clinic)
Community Development Project (includes Early Care & Education subproject)
Consumer Rights and Economic Justice
Consumer Rights and Economic Justice – Debtor Assistance Project
Homelessness Prevention Law Project
This application process can also be found here on Public Counsel’s website.
1L SPIP | Deadline Fast Approaching | FRIDAY 4.21!
The 1L Summer Public Interest Funding Application is open and accepting applications through Friday, April 21st at 11:59pm CT. You can access the google form here!
The 1L Summer Public Interest Funding Program (1L SPIP) is part of WashU Law’s commitment to supporting our students who choose to pursue careers in government and public interest law by providing financial support to students who would otherwise be unable to work in an unpaid government or public interest internship over the summer. Through 1L SPIP, WashU Law offers funding of up to $3,000 (less taxes) for law students in need who work full time in eligible positions for a minimum of six weeks (or, roughly 200 hours) and complete a 1L SPIP application.
An eligible position is one in which you are:
- Working for the public interest in a legal, policy, legislative, or advocacy setting under legal supervision, and in a position where at least one year of law school is required; and
- Working for a non-profit organization;
- Working for a government office; or
- Working in a judicial externship/internship program; and
- Working in a position where you are not receiving payment intended to compensate you for work performed during the internship, whether from your place of employment or another outside source.
Please note that 1L SPIP utilizes Federal Work Study funds. As such, you may be required to submit a 2023 FAFSA as part of your application.
Do not hesitate to reach out to Alison Smith or Merce’de Savala with questions. Apply today!
2023 1L Summer Public Interest Program Informational Session | 4.19.23
On Wednesday, April 19 at 3pm, Career Strategist Merce’de Savala will host a virtual informational session on Zoom for 1L students that have applied for the 1L Summer Public Interest Program. She will discuss what jobs qualify for the program, how to register with the Human Resources system (workday) and I-9 verification, and how to ensure you receive your payment.
The 1L Summer Public Interest Funding Program (1L SPIP) is part of WashU Law’s commitment to supporting our students who choose to pursue careers in government and public interest law by providing financial support to students who would otherwise be unable to work in an unpaid government or public interest internship over the summer. Through 1L SPIP, WashU Law offers funding of up to $3,000 (less taxes) for law students in need who work full time in eligible positions for a minimum of six weeks (or, roughly 200 hours) and complete a 1L SPIP application.
An eligible position is one in which you are:
- Working for the public interest in a legal,
policy, legislative, or advocacy setting under legal supervision, and in a
position where at least one year of law school is required; and
- Working for a non-profit organization;
- Working for a government office; or
- Working in a judicial externship/internship program; and
- Working in a position where you are not receiving payment intended to compensate you for work performed during the internship, whether from your place
ALL 1L STUDENTS WHO HAVE APPLIED OR ARE THINKING OF APPLYING FOR THE SPIP PROGRAM ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND! RSVP on Symplicity.
6 Days Left! 1L SPIP Deadline | 4.21
The 1L Summer Public Interest Funding Application is open and accepting applications through Friday, April 21st at 11:59pm CT. You can access the google form here!
The 1L Summer Public Interest Funding Program (1L SPIP) is part of WashU Law’s commitment to supporting our students who choose to pursue careers in government and public interest law by providing financial support to students who would otherwise be unable to work in an unpaid government or public interest internship over the summer. Through 1L SPIP, WashU Law offers funding of up to $3,000 (less taxes) for law students in need who work full time in eligible positions for a minimum of six weeks (or, roughly 200 hours) and complete a 1L SPIP application.
An eligible position is one in which you are:
- Working for the public interest in a legal, policy, legislative,
or advocacy setting under legal supervision, and in a position where at least
one year of law school is required; and
- Working for a non-profit organization;
- Working for a government office; or
- Working in a judicial externship/internship program; and
- Working in a position where you are not receiving payment intended to compensate you for work performed during the internship, whether from your place of employment or another outside source.
Please note that 1L SPIP utilizes Federal Work Study funds. As such, you may be required to submit a 2023 FAFSA as part of your application.
Do not hesitate to reach out to Alison Smith or Merce’de Savala with questions. Apply today!
ATTENTION: 2023 Public Service Student of the Year – Call for Nominations!
We are soliciting nominations for the Public Service Student of the Year Award. This award recognizes a graduating J.D. student who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to pro bono and public service while at WashULaw. The award will be presented at the Dean’s Leadership & Public Service Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 13.
To nominate a 3L who you feel meets the requirements, please fill out this nomination form. We encourage self-nominations!
Nominations are due by Wednesday, April 26. If you have questions, please contact the Career Center.
APPLY: 1L SPIP | Deadline 4.21!
Class of 2025 — The 1L Summer Public Interest Funding Application is open and accepting applications through Friday, April 21st at 11:59pm CT. You can access the google form here!
The 1L Summer Public Interest Funding Program (1L SPIP) is part of WashU Law’s commitment to supporting our students who choose to pursue careers in government and public interest law by providing financial support to students who would otherwise be unable to work in an unpaid government or public interest internship over the summer. Through 1L SPIP, WashU Law offers funding of up to $3,000 (less taxes) for law students in need who work full time in eligible positions for a minimum of six weeks (or, roughly 200 hours) and complete a 1L SPIP application.
An eligible position is one in which you are:
· Working for the public interest in a legal, policy, legislative, or advocacy setting under legal supervision, and in a position where at least one year of law school is required; and
o Working for a non-profit organization;
o Working for a government office; or
o Working in a judicial externship/internship program; and
· Working in a position where you are not receiving payment intended to compensate you for work performed during the internship, whether from your place of employment or another outside source.
Please note that 1L SPIP utilizes Federal Work Study funds. As such, you may be required to submit a 2023 FAFSA as part of your application.
2023 Equal Justice Works Public Interest Summer Internship Primer: Register Now!
Join Equal Justice Works virtually for a three-day public interest primer designed to help students prepare for their summer legal
internships.
Equal Justice Works invites you to attend our first-ever virtual law student public interest primer from Wednesday, May 31 to Friday, June 2, which will help prepare you for your upcoming summer internship. This primer will bring together practitioners and experts from the legal field for eight (8) interactive sessions on topics ranging from trauma-informed lawyering to issue spotting and case management.
Participants will gain practical knowledge and begin to build a solid skill set that they can take with them into their summer internships and beyond!
This free opportunity is available to all law students attending an Equal Justice Works member school. Students will receive a participation certificate for completing at least six (6) of the eight (8) sessions.
A finalized program will be available shortly, but topics will cover: anti-racist lawyering, mental health and burnout, trauma-informed lawyering and vicarious trauma, navigating client interviews and interactions, community lawyering, issue spotting and case management, and working remotely.
You can register for the event below:
REGISTER HERE
Please note: Given the interactive nature of this event, sessions will not be recorded. A Zoom meeting link will be provided on May 30 (this link will apply to all three days of the event).
If you have any questions about this event, please reach out to us at membership@equaljusticeworks.org
3 Days Left! Submit Your 2L SPIP Application TODAY!
Deadline FAST approaching!
Class of 2024 – are you working in an unpaid public interest or government position this summer? If so, you can apply for summer funding through WashULaw’s competitive Summer Public Interest Funding Program (SPIP).
For 2Ls, SPIP provides financial support based on a competitive essay-based application reviewed by an external committee. Apply here!
Find answers to your questions here and don’t hesitate to reach out to Alison Smith or Merce’de Savala with any questions!
SAVE THE DATE: MSPD Virtual Career Expo | 4.6.23
Registration can be completed through the QR code or this link: RSVP here
MID-WEEK HOT JOBS | POST-GRAD!
— BIG LAW —
Entry Level Associate | DLA Piper | San Juan, PR
Pro Bono Fellow | Hunton Andres & Kurth | New York, NY
Pro Bono Fellow | Hunton Andres & Kurth | Richmond, VA
Commercial Litigation Associate | Holland & Hart | Salt Lake City, UT
Commercial Litigation Associate | Holland & Hart | Denver, CO
IP Patent Associate | Holland & Hart | Reno, NV
Labor & Employment Associate | Holland & Hart | Salt Lake City, UT
Immigration Attorney | Hacking Immigration Law | St. Louis, MO
Civil Litigation Attorney | Phillips Spallas & Angstadt | Los Angeles, CA
Entry Level Attorney | American Lawyers Group | Fairfax, VA
Entry Level Attorney | Almazan & Quintanilla Law Firm | San Antonio, TX
Attorney | The Law Office of John T. Benjamin Jr | Raleigh, NC
Entry Level Associate Attorney | Law Offices of James F. Aspell | Farmington, CT
Entry Level Attorney | DL Group | Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Junior Attorney | McCleery Law Firm | Mew Philadelphia, OH
Entry Level Personal Injury Attorney | Law Office of Elia Shmulik | Lon Island City, NY
Entry Level Criminal Defense Attorney | The Matian Firm | Los Angeles, CA
Entry Level Trial Attorney | Bergen County Law Firm | Hackensack, NJ
Associate Attorney | Downton LA Law Group | Los Angeles, CA
— GOVERNMENT —
Deputy City Attorney | City of Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV
Deputy City Attorney | San Diego City Attorney’s Office | San Diego, CA
Sustainability Counsel | City of New York Dept. of Buildings | New York, NY
General Attorney (Labor) | US Dept. of Labor | Washington, DC
Assistant Attorney General New Graduate (Symplicity #32430)| Missouri Attorney General’s Office | Jefferson City, MO
Assistant City Attorney | Prosecutor’s Office of Tucson | Tucson, AZ
Attorney 1 | Kanawha County Dept. of Revenue | Kanawha County, WV
Assistant District Attorney – Misdemeanor/Felony Trial Bureau | Harris County District Attorney’s Office | Houston, TX
Assistant People’s Counsel I | Office of the People’s Council | Baltimore, MD
Staff Attorney I | Kentucky Dept. of Corrections | Bowling Green, KY
Assistant Attorney – Associate Court | Court Attorney’s Office – Scott County | Davenport, IA
Assistant Attorney General (Civil Recover Section) | Oregon Department of Justice | Salem, OR
— PUBLIC INTEREST —
Administrative Law Clerk – Judge Athey’s Chambers | Court of Appeals if Virginia | Richmond, VA
Religious Liberty Clinic Transactional Legal Fellow (Tax) | Notre Dame Law School | South Bend, IN
Religious Liberty Clinic Transactional Legal Fellow (Real Estate) | Notre Dame Law School | South Bend, IN
Staff Attorney – Criminal Defense Unit | Still She Rises | Tulsa, OK
Staff Attorney – Family Services Unit | Northwest Immigrant Rights Project | Seattle, WA
Staff Attorney Impact Litigation and Systemic Advocacy
| Legal Assistance of Western New York | Ithaca, NY
Staff Attorney | Central Minnesota Legal
Services | Minneapolis, MN
Staff Attorney (Fellowship) | Legal Aid of North Carolina | Morganton, CA
Staff Attorney – Lawyer in the School Project | Nevada Legal Services | Law Vegas, NV; Southern NV
Law Graduate – Children’s Program | Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project | Tucson, AZ
Attorney I | Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board | Washington, DC
Criminal Defense Attorney | Law Office of The Public Defender – New Mexico | Albuquerque, NM