Law Intern Opportunities
Bay Area Legal Aid is committed to cultivating a new generation of public interest lawyers. Law interns work on projects and cases that have a wide-ranging and lasting impact on our client communities.
Mentorship/Supervision: Interns are assigned to a supervising attorney who provides almost daily mentorship and supervision. Interns assist BayLegal staff in providing a full range of legal services including: client intake and screening; counseling; preparation of court pleadings; and representation. Interns work closely with all BayLegal staff, having access to a wide range of expertise and practice throughout the Bay Area.
Certification: BayLegal encourages students who have completed their law school course in evidence to get certified by the State Bar of California to represent clients in court.
Schedules: Summer interns generally work full-time for a minimum of ten weeks, with training in all of our practice areas at the beginning of the summer. During the school year, students commonly work 8-15 hours per week.
Training: Summer interns receive extensive two-day training at the beginning of the summer and ongoing on-site training and trainings throughout their internship. There are a range of trainings provided throughout the year.
Qualifications: Internship applicants should have completed their first year of law school. Special consideration will be given to students who: a) have a demonstrated commitment to serving low-income or other disadvantaged communities; b) speak Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Russian, or other Southeast Asian languages; c) and/or can commit to more than one semester.
Funding: Past interns have received funding from Equal Justice America, the National Association for Public Interest Law (NAPIL), as well as Public Interest Law Foundations from a number of universities throughout the United States. Due to our limited financial resources, BayLegal prefers law students who are eligible for public interest grants, clinical credits, or who are willing to volunteer. Although funding is limited, work-study students receive between $13.50 and $15 per hour.
Specific projects include:
Youth Justice Project – Alameda County
Legal Barriers to Employment Project (LBEP) – San Francisco
Social Security Disability Advocacy Project – Alameda
Immigrant Survivor of Domestic Violence Advocacy Project – San Mateo
Domestic Violence Restraining Order Clinics – Contra Costa County, San Mateo, San Francisco
How to Apply: Internships are available throughout the year and applications are accepted on an ongoing basis year-round until all positions are filled. For consideration for summer employment, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply before March 1st to receive full consideration.
Please complete and submit a BayLegal Law Intern Application with your resume, cover letter and writing sample to:
Bay Area Legal Aid – Law Intern Program
405 14th Street, 9th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Questions?: please contact Genevieve Richardson, Director of Pro Bono Activities at probono@baylegal.org.