Summer 2027 Law Student Internship

Community Legal Services, Inc. • Philadelphia, PA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

CLS offers a rich and exciting summer internship experience for 15-20 law students who have completed their first or second year of law school. Our law students receive exceptional training and the opportunity to work with some of the most talented legal minds in civil legal services. All CLS interns will have the opportunity to work directly with clients, engage with the communities we serve, and contribute to systemic advocacy efforts to advance economic and racial equity. Interns are placed into one of our legal units: Health and Independence, SSI, Housing, Home Ownership and Consumer Rights, Family Advocacy, Energy and Utilities, Employment, Youth Justice Project, Medical Legal Partnership. We have three offices across the city where interns may be placed: North Philadelphia Law Center, Logan Square and Center City. Location placement depends on unit placement and the supervising attorney’s primary office location. CLS welcomes applicants of all backgrounds to apply and strongly encourages law students from diverse backgrounds to apply for our internship. CLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences would motivate you to work toward CLS’s mission and would contribute to the vitality and perspective of our organization.

Requirements

• Completed first or second year of law school
• Resume
• Cover letter addressing interest and experience in public interest and poverty law/racial justice advocacy
• Law school transcript
• List of three (3) references (at least one academic reference and at least one professional reference)
• Submit an application on our website OR via a hiring fair
• Notify CLS of any obligations no later than April 1, 2027
• Eligible law students should apply for the Fellowships when they submit their application for CLS’s summer internship
• Submit an additional one (1) to three (3) page personal statement for fellowships

Nice To Haves

• Housing unit prioritizes 2L students, especially from Philadelphia-area law schools
• Students are encouraged to be in person more frequently as needed and to get the most out of their summer

Responsibilities

• Work directly with clients
• Engage with the communities we serve
• Contribute to systemic advocacy efforts to advance economic and racial equity
• Staff CLS clinics for other units
• Shadow another unit if an interest is expressed

Benefits

• 3 fellowship stipends are available
• Support for requirements for work study or other external funding sources, like Equal Justice America
• Fellowship recipients receive a financial award of $5,000
• Fellowship recipients receive mentorship support

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed