Law Student - Government in Towson, MD

Government

Towson, MD

Law Student - Government in Towson, MD

Law Student

No

Job Title: Fall 2025 Law Clerk

Job Responsibilities:
The **Members Only** (OPD) Mental Health Division (MHD) offers law clerk positions to law students to assist in the representation of individuals facing involuntary civil commitment. The primary responsibilities include advising clients of their rights before and after administrative hearings, providing representation during civil commitment hearings, and assisting with any subsequent appeals. The MHD is dedicated to advocating for the civil rights of adults and children diagnosed with psychiatric disorders and/or intellectual disabilities. Law clerks will gain practical experience by working closely with attorneys and investigators, supporting a client-centered, team-based approach to representation from the time of confinement in an emergency department through discharge from a facility, and in any related appeals.

Law clerks are expected to participate actively in trial teams, engaging in research and writing, witness preparation, investigations, and trial preparation. They will collaborate with attorneys, investigators, paralegals, social workers, and other support staff to ensure comprehensive advocacy for clients. Although these positions are unpaid, OPD supports externs seeking academic credit for their work and can sponsor grant or outside funding applications.

Education and Experience Information:
Candidates for the Fall 2025 Law Clerk position must be current law school students or recent law school graduates. The opportunity is available for students during the spring semester (January-May), fall semester (September-December), and summer (May-August). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and candidates must specify their preferred placement locations within the State of Maryland. The OPD emphasizes that only their Montgomery County and Baltimore City offices are accessible via public transportation.

All law clerks are volunteer positions, requiring a commitment to consistent days and hours throughout the clerkship duration, which must start by September 2, 2025, and last for at least 10 weeks.

Salary Information:
These are unpaid volunteer positions. However, OPD supports externs seeking academic credits and can sponsor grant or other outside funding applications.

Application Process:
Interested candidates should complete the designated application and submit the following materials via email: a resume, cover letter, a list of four professional references, a writing sample no longer than 15 pages, and an undergraduate transcript. The subject line of the email should indicate "Application for Fall 2025 Law Clerk." Application materials must be submitted no later than August 1, 2025. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Candidates may indicate if they will receive class credit or financial compensation for the position and are encouraged to attach any supporting documentation for the class or funding program. The application process also allows candidates to express interest in specific OPD offices and requires a commitment to consistent work hours for the duration of the clerkship.