Fall / Spring Legal Intern (unpaid)

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri • St. Louis, MO

12h

About The Position

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri advances justice through legal representation, education, and supportive services, partnering with the community to improve lives, promote fairness, and create opportunities for people in need. The organization provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals and families on civil issues, including housing, family law, public benefits, consumer fraud, healthcare, children’s well-being, special education, and relief from domestic violence. Its services have also expanded to address the needs of immigrant and refugee families, veterans, community economic development, and small-business and minority entrepreneurs.

Legal interns are an important part of the team and typically work in one program during the summer or semester. Specific duties depend on the program’s needs. Interns may observe attorneys in court; attend client meetings and communicate with clients; draft pleadings, subpoenas, legal memoranda, policy letters, and papers; assist with discovery and legal research; and help prepare for and attend community education and outreach events.

Requirements

• Be enrolled in an accredited law school.
• Demonstrate interest in public interest law work and/or working with low-income communities and individuals.
• Be able to engage and collaborate with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Work effectively in a team and collaborate with colleagues.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Have a strong work ethic, high motivation, and the ability to take initiative and be resourceful.
• Have attention to detail and strong organizational skills, and be able to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Know Microsoft Office/365 and be able to learn new software, including case management systems.

Responsibilities

• Shadow attorneys in court, including at hearings, status conferences, trials, and settlement negotiations.
• Attend client meetings and make phone calls to clients to provide case updates or obtain information.
• Draft pleadings for new cases, assist with discovery in ongoing cases, and draft and serve subpoenas.
• Research legal issues for specific cases and systemic or ongoing projects.
• Write legal memoranda summarizing research findings.
• Draft policy letters and write papers.
• Assist with preparing for and attend community education and outreach presentations or events.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed