Intern, Public Benefits Law Unit (Summer 2027)
About The Position
Legal Aid DC, a nonprofit organization with an approximately $18 million annual budget and a staff of approximately 125 employees, is seeking a Summer Intern to join our Public Benefits Law Unit. Since 1932, Legal Aid has provided civil legal assistance to clients in individual cases and engaged in systemic reform. Currently, we provide individual representation in consumer law, domestic violence/family law, housing, public benefits, and immigration matters. We also help people with the collateral consequences of their involvement with the criminal justice system. From the experiences of our clients, we identify opportunities for law reform, public policy advocacy, and systemic impact and appellate litigation. Legal Aid also administers the DC Resource Bridge, a single access point for legal services in the District. Legal Aid believes that meaningful pursuit of our anti-poverty mission requires an unwavering commitment to racial justice and equity. We aspire both to reflect the rich racial diversity of the communities we serve and to value, respect, and empower our staff and clients to be effective agents of change. Our work is supported through public and private grants and private fundraising from individuals, law firms, and other contributors. Interns at Legal Aid DC have the unique opportunity to receive substantive assignments that will have an immediate impact on our clients. This internship is for Summer 2027 and will be 10 weeks in duration. Summer interns should expect to work full-time (40 hours per week). Interns mainly work out of Legal Aid’s NW DC office, with the option to perform some work remotely if approved by their supervisor. Summer interns may be required to perform duties off site, and will be required to travel locally for summer programming events. The summer term is from May 27th through August 6th. Legal Aid has a broad and energetic Public Benefits Unit where interns have the opportunity to work with a number of attorneys and public benefits specialists. The unit helps families and individuals overcome legal barriers to accessing essential safety net benefits such as Unemployment Insurance, Social Security, SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and DC HealthCare Alliance. The intern will provide substantive, administrative, and project support for the Public Benefits Unit. The intern will report to a staff attorney in the Public Benefits Unit.
Requirements
- Enrollment in law school
- Interest in public interest law
Nice To Haves
- Interest in or experience with public benefits programs
Responsibilities
- Performing legal and factual research for unit attorneys
- Writing briefs, client correspondence, and third-party letters/statements, and other forms of legal writing
- Calling local government offices with clients to determine the status of their benefits (including the DC Health Care Ombuds Office, the Department of Human Services, the Social Security Administration)
- Reviewing medical records
- Drafting flyers or other pro se materials
- Conducting intakes and follow up interviews with applicants
- Observing the activities of unit attorneys, including administrative hearings and substantive client calls
- Attending unit meetings and Legal Aid DC all staff meetings
- Observing and taking notes at meetings and hearings for the benefit of the unit
Benefits
- Scholarship funding up to $6,440
- Scholarship funding from the Lee Horton Memorial Scholarship for Aspiring Public Interest Lawyers
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
