Student interns in the Undergraduate Legal Aid Office spend
one semester assisting with client intake for students seeking legal help.
Interns can then apply to work the following semester as paid Student
Defenders, who assist students facing University Charges.
Many interns and Student Defenders are interested in
pursuing a legal career. In recent years, students have gone on to attend law
school at elite institutions such as Harvard, Duke, University of Virginia and
Georgetown.
The Undergraduate Legal Aid Office internship program allows
students to gain valuable hands-on experience while earning 3 hours of academic
credit. The office selects 8 students per semester. Interns work approximately
6 hours per week and attend an academic session once every other week.
During office hours, interns perform in-take interviews with
clients, maintain all administrative records and correspondence, and consult
with the attorney. Classroom assignments complement the office learning
experience.
Eligibility:
To apply, students must have at least 56 credits by the
start of the internship and a 3.0 cumulative GPA is recommended.
Benefits:
At the end of the semester, interns are afforded the
opportunity to apply to the Student Defender Program. Both the internship and
Student Defender Program provide an excellent opportunity for students
considering a law-related career, or any student who hopes to develop writing
and interpersonal skills while helping their peers.
Student Defenders are
paid employees of the office.
