2027 Summer Associate Program

ABLE • Toledo, OH

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) offers Summer Associate positions for 2027 to law students interested in public interest law. ABLE is a nonprofit law firm serving northwest and west central Ohio. Its mission is to pursue justice and equity, facilitate access to opportunities for people with low incomes through legal representation, and advocate for systemic reform. Its work addresses root causes of poverty and spans civil legal areas, including agricultural workers’ and immigrants’ rights, domestic violence, housing, public benefits and healthcare, and education.

Summer Associates gain practical experience in a fast-paced environment. Alongside traditional research and writing assignments, they work with advocates in their practice groups, receive training in poverty law, observe court proceedings, meet local attorneys and judges, and are mentored by experienced attorneys. They also gain direct experience engaging with clients in the communities ABLE serves. Associates are expected to work in person at their assigned office location.

Positions are available in Dayton, Defiance, and Toledo. The program runs from May 17 through July 23, 2027, for at least 10 weeks, at 35 hours per week. Associates must attend an orientation in Dayton or Toledo on May 18, 2027; virtual accommodations may be considered case by case. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled. Applicants submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references. A writing sample is optional. Cover letters must be under two pages and include office-location preferences, the applicant’s top three legal practice areas of interest and reasons for each, and information about public-interest or volunteer work or interest in serving low-income and marginalized communities. ABLE is an equal opportunity employer and invites applicants needing accommodations during the application or interview process to contact the recruitment coordinator.

Requirements

• Be a rising second- or third-year law student.
• Work in person at the assigned office location.
• Work full-time, 35 hours per week, for a minimum of 10 weeks from May 17, 2027, to July 23, 2027.
• Attend program orientation on May 18, 2027, in Dayton or Toledo; virtual accommodations may be considered case by case.
• Submit a cover letter, resume, and list of three professional references.
• Keep the cover letter under two pages and include preferred and other desired office locations, top three legal practice areas of interest with explanations, and relevant volunteer or public-interest experience or interest in serving low-income and marginalized communities.
• Comply with all ABLE policies and procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Applicants may submit one writing sample.
• Applicants may describe volunteer or public-interest work completed and their interest in serving low-income and marginalized families and communities.

Responsibilities

• Complete traditional legal research and writing assignments.
• Work closely with advocates in an assigned practice group.
• Engage directly with clients in the communities ABLE serves.
• Participate in poverty-law training, court observation, and meetings with local attorneys and judges.
• Attend the program orientation in Dayton or Toledo on May 18, 2027.
• Comply with ABLE policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Paid salary; compensation details will be provided at the interview stage.
• Reimbursement for program-related travel.
• ABLE will provide necessary documentation if associates secure additional funding or grants.
• Mentoring by experienced attorneys.
• Training in poverty law and practical exposure to legal practice.

What This Job Offers

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