Law Students

Summer Associate Program

Each summer Legal Aid hosts a group of hard-working and public-interest-minded students for our summer associate program. Legal Aid's summer associate program is prestigious and competitive. In previous years, as many as 170 applications were  submitted for the unpaid positions.

Summer associates are expected to work for at least 11 weeks and may work up to 13 weeks. Summer associates work in different areas of the law but all receive the opportunity to learn how to be excellent poverty lawyers. Generally, summer associates will interview clients, draft court pleadings, research relevant legal issues, attend and assist with court hearings and trials and analyze evidence.

Summer associate applicants should have completed their first year of law school by the time they commence work in the summer of the program year; however, special consideration is given to students with a demonstrated commitment to serving disadvantaged people and communities. Law students who speak Spanish are strongly encouraged to apply.

The job posting for the summer program is released in November or December and applications are due in January.  The summer class is announced each March and work begins in May.

Click here to view the most recent summer posting.