The Amy Ginensky & Andy Rogoff Emerging Advocate Initiative is The Public Interest Law Center’s internship program for law students and undergraduates seeking an opportunity to immerse themselves in high impact legal work.
At the Law Center, you’ll gain experience in civil rights law and learn the inner workings of one of Philadelphia’s premier public interest firms. Law Center attorneys, organizers and staff are committed to helping train the next generation of civil rights attorneys, advocates, and nonprofit leaders. Through our internship program, we offer mentorship and support; host guest speakers and other opportunities to learn more about a variety of areas of law and public interest advocacy; and provide practical education in skills like legal writing.
All internship positions are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with opportunities for remote or in-person participation. We encourage students to seek outside funding opportunities, workstudy availability or school credit and we will gladly handle any necessary administrative requirements.
The Public Interest Law Center values a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment where law students of all backgrounds have a sense of belonging and can thrive. We encourage students of all diverse backgrounds to apply. We welcome you to share with us in your application how your diversity influences your decision to pursue a public interest internship and how your life experiences inform your commitment to racial and social justice and to the client communities we serve.
Legal Interns
We give interns significant responsibilities on substantive legal projects in the areas of voting, education, housing, employment, health care, and environmental justice. Over the course of a term, interns typically complete assignments in several of these practice areas and can pursue work related to areas of particular interest. Assignments include legal research and writing; drafting briefs, pleadings, and discovery requests; reviewing and analyzing discovery responses
and documents; interviewing clients and witnesses; and preparing policy memoranda and proposed legislation. Interns interested in community lawyering also have the opportunity to work alongside community lawyers and organizers to support outreach and relationship building efforts, community meetings and clinics, and collective direct actions. Interns also gain practical experience through shadowing attorneys at meetings and court appearances. We seek applicants with the following qualifications:
- Excellent analytical and research skills;
- Demonstrated excellence in legal writing;
- Initiative and creativity;
- Collaborative skills and capacity for teamwork with colleagues and clients;
- Enthusiasm about our mission.
Compensation
Internships are unpaid but we encourage students to seek outside funding opportunities or school credit. We will gladly handle any administrative requirements for students that secure funding for their time with us.How to Apply
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample. Your cover letter should be one-page long and should include a statement of your reasons for seeking an internship at the Public Interest Law Center. Please send these materials by email, if possible, as a single PDF, to: Internships@pubintlaw.org
The Public Interest Law Center is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages diverse candidates to apply. The Law Center is also committed to keeping children safe and has adopted a child safeguarding policy.