Applications are now being accepted for Legal Aid’s 2013 Summer Associates program.  Click here to access Legal Aid’s jobs board, or click here to get application info on the 2013 Summer program.

Legal Aid is looking for 12 – 15 dedicated, hard-working, and public-interest minded students to work in Legal Aid’s four Northeast Ohio offices for our 2013 summer associate program. Legal Aid summer associates commit to working at least 11 weeks. Legal Aid is a non-profit law firm focused on areas of consumer rights, disability, domestic violence, education, employment, family law, foreclosure, health, housing, immigration, public benefits, and tax.

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 gather and analyze evidence. In addition, Legal Aid summer associates will participate in weekly trainings on substantive areas of poverty law and observe oral arguments in the 8th District Court of Appeals, meeting afterward with the judges involved. Brown bag lunches with current Legal Aid lawyers and community members including judges, politicians, and leaders of local non-profit agencies are also held on a weekly basis.

Legal Aid summer associate applicants should have completed their first or second year of law school prior to the summer of 2013. 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 are strongly encouraged to apply.