Posted December 5, 201711:20 am
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland (Legal Aid) is looking for 10 to 12 dedicated, hard-working, and public-interest minded students to work in Legal Aid’s four Northeast Ohio offices for our 2018 summer associate program. Legal Aid summer associates commit to working at least 11 weeks. Legal Aid is a non-profit law firm focused on the areas of consumer rights, disability, domestic violence, education, employment, family law, foreclosure, health, housing, immigration, public benefits, and tax.
Summer associates will be assigned to work in one practice area and will receive the opportunity to learn how to be excellent poverty law attorneys. Generally, summer associates will interview clients, draft court pleadings, research relevant legal issues, attend and assist with court hearings and trials, and gather and analyze evidence. They will observe oral arguments in a variety of courts, meeting afterward with the judges involved. Legal Aid also has a particular focus on community education, outreach and advocacy for specific vulnerable populations. In addition to their substantive work, summer associates may be assigned to do legal work with one of these groups.
Student Qualifications: Legal Aid summer associate applicants should have completed their first or second year of law school prior to the summer of 2018. Special consideration is given to students with a demonstrated commitment to serving disadvantaged people and communities. If your resume does not reflect a commitment to public service due to personal financial constraints, please provide an explanation in your cover letter. Law students who speak Spanish and other languages are strongly encouraged to apply.
Funding: Due to limited financial resources, Legal Aid is unable to pay summer associates. However, traditionally summer associates are able to find outside funding, and applicants are encouraged to apply for summer funding through the following sources:
- Summer grants/fellowships through your law school.
- Equal Justice Works, Summer Corps Program: Awards $1,250 educational grants which can be applied to educational debt or future education costs. These are awarded on a first come, first served basis so be sure to apply the minute the application is available on line at www.equaljusticeworks.org.
- Equal Justice America: Visit equaljusticeamerica.org for 2018 award information and application details.
- Work Study Funding: Some universities offer work study funding for summer positions. Please check with your law school's financial aid office for particulars at your school.
These are just a few of the many funding possibilities. For more funding opportunities, visit the “Funding Sources” page under “Resource Central” at www.psjd.org. Please indicate in your cover letter what funding sources you will be applying for, if any.
Course Credit/Externship Credit: Legal Aid often supervises students seeking externship or other credit. Please indicate in your cover letter if you are working with a law school to receive course credit for this position.
Application Procedure: Qualifying students should forward a cover letter listing their top two (2) location preferences, a resume, a writing sample, and a list of three (3) references to Jennifer Teeter, Executive Assistant at volunteers@lasclev.org listing “Summer Associate 2018” in the subject line of the email. Please see page four of this job posting for a listing of office locations. Application materials must be submitted by Sunday, January 21, 2018. Applications will only be accepted via e-mail. You will receive a confirmation email that your application materials have been received shortly after we receive your application.
Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate because of age, race, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or mental or physical disability.
Important Dates:
January 21, 2018: Application Deadline
January 31 – February 13, 2018: Interviews*
February 20 – 23, 2018: Offers Extended**
March 2018: 2018 Summer Associates Announced
May 21, 2018: Orientation/Start of 2018 Summer Associate Program
*Telephone interviews will be conducted with applicants who are not able to participate in person.
**If offered a position, you must accept/decline within 72 hours.
About Us: Legal Aid’s mission is to secure justice and resolve fundamental problems for those who are low income and vulnerable by providing high quality legal services and working for systemic solutions. Founded in 1905, Legal Aid is the fifth oldest legal aid organization in the United States. Legal Aid’s 74 staff members, which include 43 staff attorneys, and over 2,000 volunteer lawyers ensure access to justice for low income people. For more information please visit www.lasclev.org.
Why Northeast Ohio: Northeast Ohio has a rich history of diverse cultures. It is home to the nationally renowned Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Browns, Indians, and Cavaliers, an award-winning Metroparks system, vineyards, Lake Erie, and many other arts, recreation, and cultural attractions. Northeast Ohio also has a low cost of living. For more information on living and working in Northeast Ohio please visit www.clevelandplus.com and www.downtowncleveland.com. For information on housing please go to www.csuohio.edu/reslife.