Law Student - Public Interest in Los Angeles, CA

Public Interest

Los Angeles, CA

Law Student - Public Interest in Los Angeles, CA

Law Student

No

Job Title: Fall 2025 Policy Internship

Job Responsibilities:
Policy interns at the organization are tasked with a variety of responsibilities that are crucial to the support and functioning of the department. These responsibilities include conducting client intake interviews, which involve gathering and recording information from potential clients to assess their needs and determine how the organization can assist them. Interns are also responsible for performing legal research and drafting legal memoranda. This involves investigating legal precedents, statutes, and regulations to support the organization’s cases and drafting documents that summarize these findings for use in legal arguments.

Additionally, interns attend depositions and court hearings. This gives them the opportunity to observe legal proceedings and understand the practical applications of legal theory. They are also involved in assessing legislation and public policy initiatives, which requires evaluating the potential impact of proposed laws and policies on the Latino community and providing recommendations to the department. Lastly, interns provide litigation support to the regional counsel and staff attorney(s). This support can include organizing case files, preparing documents for court, and assisting with other tasks as needed to ensure the smooth operation of the organization’s legal efforts.

Education and Experience Information:
The internship is designed for law students, as indicated by the requirement for applicants to seek public interest fellowships or work-study funds through their law school. This suggests that candidates should be enrolled in a law degree program, likely at the graduate level, and possess a foundational understanding of legal principles and practices. Although specific prior experience is not detailed, the nature of the responsibilities implies that candidates should have some familiarity with legal research, writing, and possibly previous experience in a legal setting, such as a law firm or legal aid organization.

Salary Information:
The internship is generally unpaid, as compensation is not typically available. However, interested applicants are encouraged to apply for public interest fellowships or work-study funds through their law school to potentially receive financial support during their internship.

Additional Information:
The internship is offered during various terms, including Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. During the Fall, Winter, and Spring terms, the internship lasts for one semester or quarter, with an expectation of 15 hours of work per week. During the Summer term, the internship lasts for 10 weeks, with an expectation of 40 hours of work per week, although this can vary depending on fellowship or work-study guidelines.

Applicants are required to submit a cover letter, résumé, and a 3 to 5-page writing sample by email. Each application must be specifically tailored to one of the organization’s offices, as a separate application package is required for each location. The deadline for Summer internship applications is March 1, 2025, but positions are filled on a rolling basis, meaning early applicants receive first consideration. A limited number of positions are available, emphasizing the competitive nature of the internship.