About the role#
Advocates for Children of New York offers a Summer Law Student Intern Program designed as a clinical experience. Interns work alongside attorney mentors to gain hands-on experience in direct service, litigation, and policy reform. The program includes weekly training sessions covering relevant law, regulations, and trial skills. Interns also visit schools and educational programs to see the impact of the organization's work firsthand.
What you'll do#
- Work directly with families of children ages 0-21 in New York City throughout all stages of representation.
- Prepare legal documents and briefs for special education impartial hearings, including research and witness examination materials.
- Assist attorneys with impact litigation and policy reform initiatives.
- Engage with parents, community partners, and various stakeholders to support educational advocacy.
- Participate in weekly training to build legal and trial skills.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment as a JD candidate at an ABA-accredited law school.
- A demonstrated commitment to social justice and alignment with the mission of Advocates for Children.
- Strong legal writing skills and the ability to work independently.
- Ability to engage effectively across diverse cultures, identities, and ethnicities.
- Experience or interest in working with communities served by the organization, including low-income families and those involved in the public school system.
Location & details#
- Location: New York, NY.
- Term: Summer 2027 (June 1, 2027 to August 5, 2027).
- Modality: Hybrid (at least 2 days per week in the office).
- Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week).
- Compensation: This is an unpaid internship.
About Advocates for Children of New York
Advocates for Children of New York is a nonprofit organization based in New York City. Founded in 1971, the group works within the public education sector to support students facing barriers like poverty, disability, or homelessness. The staff of 11 to 50 employees provides direct legal guidance to families. They also pursue systemic policy reforms to improve the education system for all students.
How to get in at Advocates for Children of New York
Applying early to Advocates for Children of New York gives you a significant advantage, as recruiters often review the first wave of candidates before the applicant pool grows too large. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, ensuring you can submit your materials among the first. This timing helps your application stand out in a competitive field. You can also use Intern Insider to surface the specific recruiters behind these roles. Reaching out directly to ask about the position or to request a referral often improves your response rate compared to sending a resume into a general queue. This approach shows you have done your research and are serious about the work.
