Navigating the Landscape of Legal Clerkship and Internship Opportunities
The pursuit of a career in law is a rigorous and multifaceted journey, often beginning with invaluable practical experience gained through internships and clerkships. These opportunities offer aspiring legal professionals a firsthand glimpse into the day-to-day realities of legal practice, allowing them to hone their skills, explore diverse areas of law, and build crucial professional networks. This article delves into the extensive world of legal clerkship and internship information, drawing from a rich tapestry of program descriptions to provide a comprehensive overview for students and aspiring lawyers.
The Foundation of Legal Experience: Internships
Legal internships serve as the bedrock for developing practical legal acumen. They are designed to expand services and train the next generation of public interest lawyers, offering interns substantive work across a breadth of civil legal service practice areas and engaging them in comprehensive training. These programs are not merely about observation; they are about active participation and learning.
Community Access Programs Intern: This role focuses on community outreach, with interns primarily assisting the Mobile Legal Help Center project. This innovative initiative, a joint project of NYLAG and the New York State Courts’ Access to Justice Program, operates the country’s first legal services office on wheels. It travels directly to underserved communities, bringing free, civil legal services to individuals in New York City and Long Island. Attorneys provide counseling, advice, and direct representation directly from the vehicle, which travels throughout the five boroughs and parts of Long Island, specifically targeting areas with limited public transportation. The Mobile Legal Help Center aims to help New Yorkers overcome obstacles such as geographic isolation, health and mobility issues, and childcare concerns. Interns in this program will help staff the van weekly (dependent on prevailing COVID protocols) and conduct intakes across all areas of law practiced by NYLAG.
Consumer Protection Unit Intern: Interns in this unit support unrepresented litigants in consumer debt cases within New York City’s Civil Courts. The experience offers the opportunity to represent clients in court, negotiate with opposing counsel, and argue before a judge. Responsibilities include appearing in court in defense of debt collection actions (under attorney supervision), performing legal research, drafting motion papers, creating legal self-help and reference materials, and working directly with clients, including conducting client intakes. Light administrative work, such as entering client data into the organization's database, is also expected.
Foreclosure Prevention Project Intern: This project provides legal representation and community education to homeowners facing foreclosure and other risks to homeownership. It assists clients with all aspects of foreclosure defense litigation, deed transfers, and real estate contracts, closings, and short sale applications. Intern responsibilities encompass virtual and in-person client intakes and interviews at foreclosure clinics on Long Island and in the five boroughs, attending settlement conferences and court appearances, conducting legal research, and submitting mortgage modification applications and other homeowner program applications designed to avoid foreclosure. A strong preference is given to fluent Spanish speakers for this role.
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Taxi Advocacy Project Intern: These interns work within the Consumer Protection Unit, specifically on the Taxi Advocacy Project, closely collaborating with yellow taxi medallion owners on the restructuring of their taxi medallion loans. Based on experience, interns may be tasked with conducting intakes, working with clients, and performing general administrative tasks to support the Consumer Protection Unit. Depending on interest, these interns may also have the opportunity to support the Foreclosure Project and attend court. This is not a remote position, and students must be available to travel throughout the five boroughs for various offsite matters. Preference is given to students who speak Haitian Creole, Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, Spanish, and Mandarin, though this is not a strict requirement. While preference is given to law students, undergraduate students will also be considered.
Volunteer Lawyer for a Day (VLFD) Intern: Thousands of New Yorkers are summoned to court by debt collectors, yet only about 1% of consumer debt defendants are represented by counsel, while all plaintiff creditors are represented. These defendants often have nowhere to turn for legal advice or representation and are forced to navigate the court process alone. The Volunteer Lawyer for a Day program offers limited scope representation to these defendants during their court appearance. Volunteers receive consumer law training, on-site supervision from the coordinating attorney, and the opportunity to assist litigants in rebuilding their financial lives. This program provides a fantastic opportunity to work with a client and appear before a judge in a supervised, single-day setting. Cases are located in Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. This project is open to both law students and lawyers.
Domestic Violence Law Unit, Law School Intern: Legal interns in the Domestic Violence Law Unit engage in extensive client contact, draft petitions and motions, provide litigation assistance, and attend court proceedings throughout the internship under the supervision of a NYLAG attorney. Interns assist petitioners with orders of protection through the Family Offense Project (FOP) in Family Court. They also work on a variety of matters on their supervising attorney's docket, including contested and uncontested divorces, custody and visitation, spousal and child support, and immigration matters under the Violence Against Women Act.
Employment Law Intern: The Employment Law Project provides representation in cases involving wage and hour issues, such as overtime, unpaid wages, and minimum wage claims, as well as a broad range of other employment law matters. Intern responsibilities include client interviewing, legal research and writing, and drafting demand letters and complaints.
Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program Intern: This program advocates at the intersection of health and disability law on behalf of older persons and younger people with disabilities who, due to chronic health conditions and poverty, require access to Medicaid home care and other long-term care services to avoid institutionalization in nursing homes. Medicare does not fully cover these services, and its high cost-sharing is subsidized by Medicaid. Interns assist clients in navigating complex Medicaid eligibility rules, procedural hurdles, and systemic barriers that incentivize Medicaid-funded insurance plans to deny home care services. Responsibilities include intake, counseling, case investigation, legal research, drafting legal memoranda and medical affidavits, and representing clients at Fair Hearings or in other administrative advocacy. Interns may also participate in coalitions engaged in policy and legislative advocacy, prepare materials for and conduct legal education presentations for consumers, and develop materials for nyhealthaccess.org.
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Immigration Legal Intern: Immigrant Protection Unit interns provide direct client services, including assistance with applications for naturalization, self-petitions for domestic violence victims, T visas for victims of human trafficking, U visas for victims of crimes, and other affirmative and humanitarian-based applications, as well as asylum applications in some instances. The internship offers extensive opportunities for legal research and drafting comprehensive legal memoranda. Interns also have the chance to be involved in community outreach and other project-based initiatives.
Special Litigation Unit Intern: The Special Litigation Unit (SLU) collaborates with NYLAG attorneys across various practice areas to develop and litigate complex impact litigations that promote social, racial, and economic justice, addressing the full spectrum of legal areas served by NYLAG. Working independently or in partnership with other not-for-profit organizations and pro bono private firms, the SLU initiates class actions and other impact lawsuits to effect systemic change for thousands of individuals in need. Interns work on a broad range of substantive issues, including public benefits, consumer protection, and special education. SLU interns conduct legal research and factual investigation, interview and advocate on behalf of class members, draft legal memoranda and court documents, and assist with motion practice and discovery in pending lawsuits. They may also attend court proceedings and/or case-related strategy meetings and conferences.
LGBTQ Law Project Intern: This project serves New York City’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities by offering free representation and advice on a wide array of civil legal matters and providing group trainings on legal issues affecting the LGBTQ community. The LGBTQ Law Project provides free representation in areas such as housing and family law matters, including orders of protection, second-parent adoptions, custody and visitation, divorces, legal name changes, immigration issues, public benefits, estate matters, advance directives, and housing and employment discrimination. Intern responsibilities include working directly with clients, conducting intake and client interviews, maintaining and updating client files, legal research, and drafting and filing court and client documents.
LegalHealth Unit Intern: As one of the nation's largest medical-legal partnerships, NYLAG’s LegalHealth division staff work to resolve clients' legal needs by addressing social determinants of health within a healthcare setting. Operating a community-based model, LegalHealth staff meet clients on-site at hospitals and community-based medical centers where clients are comfortable and have existing support. LegalHealth collaborates with hospital staff to create holistic care plans that address all of a client’s needs.
Advance Planning Practice Intern: NYLAG’s Advance Planning Practice assists New Yorkers with limited means in planning for all stages of life. The team provides representation, advocacy, and advice on guardianship, wills, and estates matters to help clients preserve their individual rights and maintain their independence. Interns work with an attorney to conduct new client intakes, screen for legal capacity, prepare documents such as powers of attorney, health care proxies, and wills, and compose guardianship petitions in appropriate cases. Home visits are regularly conducted for clients who are physically unable to travel to the offices. A strong preference is given to applicants with Spanish fluency. This position requires a commitment of 7 hours per week (one day).
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Elder Law Intern: Interns in the Elder Law Practice work closely with attorneys to provide direct elder law services to low-income seniors. The primary focus of Elder Law is securing healthcare and ensuring that clients' wishes are honored through advanced life planning. Interns gain familiarity with public health insurance options and appeals, long-term care in the home, the use of Supplemental Needs Trusts for disabled individuals, and numerous planning documents, including powers of attorney, health care proxies, living wills, and last wills and testaments.
Health Law Intern: The Health Law Practice offers advice and representation to individuals throughout New York City concerning Medicare, Medicaid, and other public health insurance programs. It also serves as the principal public health insurance resource for the broader benefits work of the Public Benefit Unit. An intern in the Health Law Practice conducts phone intakes, advocates with government agencies to help clients secure health insurance-related benefits and services, performs legal research, and supports attorneys and paralegals in the Health Law practice.
Veterans Practice Intern: Interns in the Veterans Practice work closely with NYLAG staff to provide direct legal services to United States military veterans. The Veterans Practice is dedicated to helping veterans secure the compensation and benefits they have earned through their service to the country. Interns become familiar with the eligibility, procedural, and evidentiary requirements for VA disability benefit claims and DOD discharge upgrades. They have the opportunity to work on applications and appeals by gathering and reviewing evidence, drafting legal briefs and memoranda, and communicating directly with veteran clients.
Special Education Intern: Special Education interns address matters such as the adequacy of a child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), the appropriateness of a child’s school placement, and a child’s need for related services, such as speech and language therapy.
Tenants’ Rights Intern: Tenants’ Rights Unit interns gain hands-on experience in all aspects of eviction defense litigation, including client intake interviews, deadline-sensitive research to support Housing Court motion practice, drafting Housing Court motions, and, if prepared, arguing motions in court. Interns regularly accompany attorneys to Housing Court appearances and participate in negotiations with opposing counsel to settle cases. They also engage in affirmative litigation to assert tenants’ rights under rent stabilization laws and to ensure tenants’ apartments are safe and habitable. Furthermore, interns work on administrative law matters to assist clients in resolving issues with public housing, help seniors and/or disabled tenants freeze their rent, and address problems with housing subsidies. A strong preference is given to fluent Russian or Spanish speakers.
NYCHA Defense Team Intern: NYLAG’s NYCHA Defense Team is New York City’s first dedicated group of attorneys focused solely on defending the rights of public housing tenants. NYCHA Defense Team interns gain practical experience in all facets of eviction defense litigation, including client intake interviews, deadline-sensitive research, second-chairing termination hearings, and drafting closing memoranda of law and Housing Court motions. They also have the opportunity, if ready, to argue motions in court. Interns regularly accompany attorneys to Housing Court and OIH appearances and participate in negotiations with opposing counsel to settle cases.
Volunteer Program Intern: The Volunteer Program intern works closely with the Pro Bono and Volunteer Unit to support the organization's mission by increasing volunteer engagement and enhancing NYLAG’s capacity to assist clients. This intern is assigned a variety of administrative tasks and projects, which may include assistance with special events, data entry, data management projects, file organization, creative projects, and research. This intern will have the opportunity to support NYLAG as it relaunches its Language Access Volunteer program.
Corporate and Governmental Internship and Clerkship Models
Beyond public interest organizations, various law firms and governmental bodies offer structured internship and clerkship programs, each with its unique focus and learning objectives.
Burr & Forman LLP Summer Clerkship: Each summer, Burr & Forman hires rising second and third-year students from top-ranked law schools nationwide to clerk in their offices. These summer clerkships are designed to expose students to the firm’s broad, full-service practice areas and its culture. Summer associates interact daily with firm attorneys while completing meaningful assignments across various practice areas. The firm strives to provide "hands-on" experience, including client interaction and attendance at trials, deal closings, mediations, and depositions. Each student is assigned a partner and associate mentor who offer instruction, feedback, and guidance. Summer associates also experience the firm's culture through planned social activities, including sporting events, dinners, classes, and local excursions. The firm balances a fulfilling work environment with social and professional networking events such as volunteering for local charities, baseball games, bowling, canoe trips, hockey games, and family cookouts.
The PDS Legal Clerkship Program: This program allows law students to assist attorneys in all aspects of case preparation. PDS offers approximately 65 summer law clerk positions and 35 semester positions. Depending on the division to which a clerk is assigned, responsibilities may include performing legal and case-preparation research, drafting motions, interviewing incarcerated and institutionalized clients, representing juveniles and adults in institutional disciplinary hearings, responding to inmate letters requesting legal assistance, and preparing pre-trial motions. Clerks may also attend trials, parole hearings, and appellate arguments. The program strongly prefers second and third-year law students, though first-year students with relevant pre-law experience are encouraged to apply after December 1st of their first year. During the summer, a weeklong substantive training class and a trial advocacy skills building series taught by experienced trial attorneys are offered. PDS accepts limited first-term split summers on a case-by-case basis and invites students who can commit to at least seven weeks after mid-August into its ‘second summer’ program.
New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Internship: This division offers unpaid internships during the summer break for undergraduate, graduate, and law students. Participants are assigned to one of the Division’s Bureaus or Offices, gaining exposure to investigative, legal, and financial aspects related to violations of administrative law and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. This internship enhances studies in law, finance, criminal justice, or related forensic or technical fields. Law interns are exposed to various substantive areas of New Jersey law and are expected to possess excellent legal research and writing skills.
New Jersey Division of Law (DOL) Internship: The DOL offers law students the opportunity to experience the daily work of the state's civil attorneys. Interns perform a full range of law clerk responsibilities, including research and writing, and observe a wide array of lawyering activities. Participants attend court proceedings, client meetings, depositions, and other special events. The Trenton/Voorhees Internship Coordinator can be contacted for more information.
New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) Internship: This division provides unpaid internships during the summer break for undergraduate, graduate, and law students. Interns are assigned to one of the Division’s Bureaus or supporting Units and Offices. Undergraduate interns gain exposure to investigative aspects for the interdiction and prosecution of criminal law violations, enhancing their studies in Criminal Justice or related fields. Law interns are exposed to various substantive areas of New Jersey criminal law and are expected to have excellent legal research and writing skills. Beyond assigned duties, interns have opportunities to observe and work with Detectives and Deputy Attorneys General, including appearances before the Law Division (Criminal Part), Appellate Division, and occasionally, the New Jersey Supreme Court.
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Internship: This division offers unpaid internships during the Fall or Spring semesters or the Summer break for undergraduate and graduate students. The program is designed to provide students interested in state government an opportunity to volunteer. To apply, students must submit a short writing sample, resume, and cover letter. The duration of internships is based on the hours needed for college credit.
VIVA's Office of Trial and Criminal Justice Process Internship: This office seeks an intern to assist in identifying ways to improve victims' experiences with the criminal justice system. The intern will research victims' rights legislation, policy, and procedures to help the OTCJP develop statewide protocols for victim services.
VIVA’s Trauma and Resiliency Officer Internship: This office seeks an intern to assist in identifying ways to promote a survivor-centered, trauma-informed approach to victim services throughout New Jersey.
Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) Internship: Responsible for the overarching strategy, oversight, and implementation of DEI initiatives within the Department of Law & Public Safety, ODEI offers unpaid internships during the Fall or Spring semesters or the summer break for undergraduate and graduate students. Interns take on a supportive role within ODEI, gaining experience working with professionals in the field of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This is a valuable opportunity for students aspiring to work in government.
Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Office Internship: This office, tasked with regulating gun industry misconduct in New Jersey, offers an unpaid internship. Interns conduct legal research relevant to cases and functions, draft legal memos, review legal briefs, and observe attorneys preparing for court appearances and/or depositions. The program provides a chance to work alongside experienced attorneys and investigators in a pioneering government office focused on firearms industry accountability. Interns are mentored by an Assistant Attorney General and gain immersion in gun-related public safety laws. Projects are diverse, drawing on the office's needs. Interns learn about federal and state firearms-related legal issues and how to develop and execute investigative plans and legal strategies. This may include reviewing social media and online forums for background material. Interns may observe moot arguments in preparation for court appearances.
Copyright Office Law Clerk Program: This program offers legal internships for law students interested in copyright law and policy. Law Clerks gain experience and insight working with Office attorneys on copyright-related issues before Congress and in the courts. They assist in preparing Copyright Office reports for Congress and may support the Office’s international work. Although unpaid, Law Clerks often arrange to receive academic credit through their law school.
Judicial Internships and Clerkships: Judicial internships are volunteer positions offering an important opportunity to learn about the judicial world before graduation. Judicial clerkships are highly prestigious, providing new attorneys with a rare chance to observe the judicial decision-making process from a judge’s perspective. These typically last one or two years, offering insights into effective advocacy, procedural issues, and a wide array of legal practice areas. Judicial clerks are highly attractive candidates to prospective employers due to their significant legal knowledge and insider's view of the court system.
A judicial internship is a full or part-time position in a judge's chambers, which can occur during the summer or academic year. Interning in chambers provides substantial research and writing experience and firsthand exposure to courtroom operations and judicial decision-making. Judicial internships can lead to strong recommendations for post-graduate judicial clerkships. Duties for trial court interns may include reviewing motions, researching applicable law, and drafting memoranda to assist the judge. Appellate court interns may review case records, research applicable law, and draft memoranda for the judge.
Targeting Judges and Courts for Applications: When applying for judicial positions, location is a key factor, as judges often seek clerks with ties to their local geographic region. Competitiveness of the court is also important; applying to less competitive jurisdictions can be a strategic move alongside applying to highly competitive areas. The most competitive jurisdictions for clerkships include Washington D.C., New York, and Chicago, followed closely by California. Similar interests and ideology can be assessed by researching a judge's prior work, community activities, and appointment history. Personality is also a significant factor, as judges seek candidates with whom they can establish a close working relationship.
Application Process for Judicial Clerkships: The application process typically requires a cover letter, résumé, writing sample (scholarly article or work for an employer), transcript, and letters of recommendation/list of references. Letters of recommendation should be addressed to each judge, and recommenders should be provided with a list of judges to simplify the process. A follow-up letter is also customary. The application process for judicial clerks is decentralized, requiring individual applications to each judge. Federal applications require specific precautions, such as marking "APPLICATION" in large letters on all transmittal envelopes.
Interviewing for Clerkships: If offered an interview, be prepared to schedule it at the earliest available opportunity. Interviews can range from 15 minutes to two hours and often include the current clerk or administrative assistant. It is crucial to "know your judge" by researching their recent cases and decisions. Resources like the Leadership Directory or LEXIS can provide information beyond court opinions. Contacting previous law clerks can offer valuable insights into the clerkship experience.
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