Civil Practice Legal Intern, 1L – Summer 2026

The Legal Aid Society’s Civil Practice has non-paid internships in its various NYC Borough offices and specialized units for Summer 2026. Legal interns assist the Civil Practice attorneys, who work to improve the lives of low-income New Yorkers by helping vulnerable families and individuals obtain and maintain the basic necessities of life – housing, health care, food, and subsistence income or self-sufficiency. The attorneys enhance family and community stability and security by resolving a full range of legal problems, including but not limited to anti-eviction, domestic violence, family law, immigration, employment, tax, health, elder law, HIV/AIDS, and consumer law issues.

 

Currently, the Legal Aid Society seeks interns in the following Civil Practice units, unless they are marked (CLOSED):

 

Community Development Project 
Consumer Law Project
Education Law Project
Employment Law Unit
Family Law/Domestic Violence Practice
Foreclosure Prevention Project
Government Benefits
Disability Advocacy Practice 
Health Law Unit (HLU)
HIV/AIDS Representation Project (H/ARP)
Housing Justice Unit - Group Advocacy Housing Practice
Housing Justice Unit - Tenant Defense
Housing Justice Unit - Housing Helpline
Immigration Law Unit

Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Project

 

 

In your cover letter, please include a ranked list of your top three preferences for unit placements. (Please note that we may not be able to place you in one of your preferred units.) Please do not apply to any unit listed as (CLOSED) as they have filled their internships for summer 2026.

 

For more information about the work of the Civil Practice and our specialized units please go to: https://www.legalaidnyc.org/programs-projects-units/

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
We are seeking dynamic, passionate, and creative legal interns committed to our mission. Interns will work directly under the supervision of Civil Practice attorneys. Duties may include: drafting motions, pleadings, memoranda of law, and affidavits; conducting legal research; attending court and administrative hearings with attorneys; assisting with client interviews; other duties as assigned.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Current 1L law school student in good standing
• Relevant clinical program or work experience is preferred, but not required
• Demonstrated commitment to and interest in serving racially and socioeconomically oppressed communities
• Ability to work collegially and collaboratively with all members of the staff
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and think critically
• Fluency in languages besides English, in particular Spanish, is helpful but not required

 

SALARY TRANSPARENCY
As an intern position, this role has no salary. 

STIPENDS 

Interns who meet the eligibility criteria have an opportunity to receive a $1,000 stipend from the Howard Rossbach fund. The Stipend was established in memory of Judge J. Howard Rossbach, Attorney-in-Chief of The Legal Aid Society (1950-1952, 1953-1955), whose mentorship encouraged young lawyers’ dedication to civic engagement through legal aid. The J. Howard Rossbach Internship Stipend, awarded through a lottery system, aims to support 4-5 interns annually who demonstrate financial need and lack funding for their internship at The Legal Aid Society. To be considered for this stipend, interns must:

• Be enrolled as a degree seeking undergraduate or graduate student at any accredited institution
• Ultimately be accepted to participate in an internship program at LAS
• Demonstrate financial need
• Lack funding for their internship

Application deadline (s):

Please refer to the deadline listed on the internship description you wish to apply to.

 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please submit a Cover Letter and Resume as a single PDF.