Fall 2014 Undergraduate Internship Opportunity with the Graduate Student Legal Aid Office

POSTED: January 16, 2014

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 3, 2014
DESIRED START DATE: September 3, 2014
DURATION: Fall Semester 2014
APPROXIMATE HOURS PER WEEK: 8

This internship is designed for students who plan to seek approval from and enroll in EDCP 386 – Undergraduate Experiential Learning Process, Counseling and Personnel Service (CAPS) Department.

Students who wish to apply for this legal aid internship must have completed 56 credits, have junior standing, and meet all other departmental requirements to enroll in EDCP 386. Information provided by the CAPS department for EDCP 386 is linked below. Please note (among other things) that you must obtain approval from CAPS to enroll, that no incompletes are permitted, that a ten page paper is required, and that Legal Aid must have final grades turned into the department prior to the start of final exams. If you are affiliated with the Office of Student Conduct (including USJ and SHC), please contact us before completing an application to determine eligibility.

Job Description: Interns work on-site at the Graduate Student Legal Aid Office (South Campus Dining Hall) approximately 8 hours a week.  Interns handle front desk duties, including greeting visitors, screening students for eligibility, and answering general inquiries. Interns work one-on-one with our attorney and senior paralegal to provide assistance to graduate students seeking legal services. This includes participating in client interviews, conducting basic research/writing tasks, and helping clients identify and access outside resources. Interns also work with our social worker (Coordinator of Services and Programs) on administrative and other tasks related to the day-to-day functioning of a legal services office. Please note that we do not represent students in court; this internship does not involve litigation work.  Additionally, interns will be required to attend one of our “Lunch with the Lawyer” workshops that typically take place on Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30pm, attend at least two hours of court observation, complete observation reports, complete a legal research assignment, and turn in a final research paper.

Qualifications: Interns must meet all requirements for EDCP 386 to apply for the Graduate Student Legal Aid Internship and must be available for an on-campus interview during the month of April 2014. This internship is best suited for students desiring exposure to a legal services or public interest office that provides direct client services. Internship slots are limited and students will be selected for an interview based on a range of factors including academic record, prior work or related experience, career interests, recommendations, and desire to engage in direct client services. If you are affiliated with the Office of Student Conduct (including USJ and SHC), please contact us before completing an application to determine eligibility.

CAPS DEPARTMENT INFORMATION AND FORM: Please review this information carefully so that you understand the CAPS requirements. DO NOT FILL OUT THIS FORM UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR AN INTERNSHIP. If you are chosen for the legal aid internship, you will then fill out the EDCP form and we will submit your paperwork to the CAPS department for approval. GLAO will provide reading list and some other information requested on the form.

TO APPLY: Click here to download instructions and internship application.