2027 Summer Intern - Homelessness Prevention Law Project

Public Counsel•Los Angeles, CA

8d•$10,000

About The Position

The Homelessness Prevention team at Public Counsel combats the displacement of vulnerable communities in Los Angeles County by keeping individuals and families in stable housing. We achieve this through a community lawyering model that combines direct legal services, education, and outreach spanning the critical intervention points that occur before, during, and after an eviction. We collaborate with other legal services agencies and community-based organizations to advance eviction prevention and protection programs throughout LA County. Our work also includes serving veterans and their families by providing legal representation to veterans and their families to remove barriers to employment and ensure access to benefits, housing, and healthcare. Our summer interns gain hands-on experience in both direct services and outreach. Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice, as well as to amplifying the power of our clients through comprehensive legal advocacy. Founded on and strengthened by a pro bono legal service model, our staff and volunteers seek justice through direct legal services, promote healthy and resilient communities through education and outreach, and support community-led efforts to transform unjust systems through litigation and policy advocacy in and beyond Los Angeles.

Requirements

Must be in your first or second year of law school.
Submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample, all in PDF form.
Resume must reflect the law school you are currently enrolled in.
Discuss why you are interested in interning with Public Counsel generally and with any subproject in HPLP specifically in your cover letter.
Applications from historically underrepresented students are especially encouraged.
Value lived experiences and experiences working with clients across a range of settings.
Consider addressing topics of equity, inclusion, lived experiences, and client work in your cover letter, especially if not reflected in your resume.
You can only be hired to work with one project during the summer program.

Nice To Haves

If you would like to be considered for a summer internship with another project at Public Counsel, please submit a separate application to that project.

Responsibilities

Gain hands-on experience in both direct services and outreach.
Conduct client interviews.
Identify benefits needs and provide day-of advocacy in DPSS offices.
Develop litigation skills by collaborating with paralegals and attorneys throughout all stages of an eviction defense case.
Participate in client phone calls to gather information and documentation.
Draft pleadings and discovery.
Research and draft motions.
Observe court hearings.
Conduct follow-up phone calls to gather information and documents.
Prepare court forms and conduct discovery.
Research and write legal briefs and motions.
Assist with legal clinics.
Evaluate and analyze potential legal claims under the array of tenant protections available.
Conduct legal research.
Draft litigation memos or legal briefs.
Assist with preparing lawsuits for filing.
Conduct client intakes.
Conduct medical records reviews.
Research and draft legal memos.