MPLP/MEJI Summer Law Clerk

Michigan Advocacy Program•Ypsilanti, MI

About The Position

Law clerks work under the supervision of our staff attorneys on all aspects of our work. Depending on the office, a law clerk’s work may include conducting client interviews, drafting pleadings, legal research, appearing in court hearings under the Michigan student practice rule, assessing legal problems, conveying legal advice through oral and written communication, conducting educational seminars for clients, legal research and writing related to individual cases and broader policy issues, legislative tracking and analysis and other systemic advocacy projects in one or more poverty law areas (housing, public benefits, consumer, foreclosure, and family law). Michigan Poverty Law Program: MPLP, located in Ypsilanti, provides state support services to legal aid attorneys and other poverty law advocates throughout Michigan. These services include case consultation, research and drafting support, co-counseling and other case assistance; planning and managing statewide skills and substantive law trainings and task forces; legislative tracking, interpretation, education and lobbying to protect the rights of the legal aid client base; and representing the interests of legal aid advocates and clients in statewide task forces, state bar sections and committees, and other advocacy-oriented groups. For additional information, please visit mplp.org. Michigan Elder Justice Initiative: MEJI, located in Lansing, advocates for low-income older adults and people with disabilities on issues related to healthcare, benefits, long term care, elder abuse, and individual rights. MEJI has a number of grant funded projects including serving as the ombudsman for residents of long term care facilities and beneficiaries enrolled in the MI Health Link project, promoting the rights of Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries, and engaging in elder abuse prevention efforts. In addition, MEJI provides advice and support to legal services lawyers and other advocates serving low income elders and people with disabilities across the state. MEJI also undertakes systemic advocacy efforts, often in collaboration with state and federal advocacy partners.

Requirements

Law students must have at least one year of law school completed by June 2025
Applicants must reside in the state of Michigan while working for MAP

Nice To Haves

Experience working with low-income persons
Commitment to assisting underserved populations

Responsibilities

Conducting client interviews
Drafting pleadings
Legal research
Appearing in court hearings under the Michigan student practice rule
Assessing legal problems
Conveying legal advice through oral and written communication
Conducting educational seminars for clients
Legal research and writing related to individual cases and broader policy issues
Legislative tracking and analysis
Other systemic advocacy projects in one or more poverty law areas (housing, public benefits, consumer, foreclosure, and family law)