Domestic Violence/Family Law Legal Program Internships
Legal Internship:
The Domestic Violence/Family Law (DV/FL) legal intern will have significant contact with clients from a variety of cultures and will work directly with the attorneys and clients in helping to prepare cases. The DV/FL program represents clients in civil protection order (CPO) and domestic relations branch (DRB) cases (i.e. divorce, custody, and child support) as well as advocates for clients who are witnesses in criminal investigations and cases in DC. The DV/FL legal intern will perform tasks that include but are not limited to: conducting client intake interviews, accompanying clients to court as an advocate, drafting legal documents (i.e. complaints and motions), draft trial documents for attorneys (i.e. opening, direct examination, cross examination, closing), conducting legal research in complex CPO and DRB cases, translating documents in English and Spanish, and assisting the paralegal with pro se family law cases.
Undergraduate Internship:
Please note that for DV/FL undergraduate interns, their duties will be mainly administrative in nature but will also include opportunities to work on legal projects, such as: accompanying clients to court as an advocate, translating documents, conducting outreach to the community, administrative support for the team and assisting the paralegal with pro se family law cases.
How to Apply
Your application will not be reviewed if you do not follow the instructions below. Submit all applications via email to [email protected]. Please be sure to use one of the subject line options below in order to indicate your first choice of program and to ensure that your application is reviewed by the appropriate office. If you are interested in multiple programs, please indicate your secondary preferences in your cover letter ONLY.
- Domestic Violence/Family Law Internship DC Office
- Domestic Violence/Family Law Internship MD Office
Applications must include a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please specify your desired start and end dates, availability during the week, and your preference for program and office location if interested in multiple programs.
Ayuda is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive culture. It is Ayuda’s policy to be fair and impartial in all relations with employees and applicants for employment and to make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, gender identity or expression, disability, sexual orientation, or any other categories protected by federal, state, or local law. We encourage applications from members of underrepresented communities.
Ayuda’s dedication to social justice means that all positions will be committed to working with people from diverse cultural, linguistic, economic, educational, and vocational backgrounds.
No phone calls please.
Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted and positions remain open until filled.
Internship Qualifications
- Language Qualifications:
- Summer Internships: Spanish proficiency required
- Fall or Spring Internships: Spanish proficiency strongly preferred
- Proficiency means: speaking, oral comprehension, reading, and writing
- Internship interviews will include a Spanish portion to evaluate proficiency if applicant states Spanish proficiency
- Previous experience in immigration, domestic violence, family law, or criminal law is helpful but not required.
- Previous experience working with immigrant communities, victims of crime, and/or LGBTI community is highly desired.
- Must work well independently and together with a team of attorneys, paralegals, and social service professionals.
- Must be detail-oriented, well-organized, responsible, personable, and comfortable working with diverse populations from a variety of backgrounds.
Internship Dates
Start and end dates may be flexible – please apply even if your dates fall outside these ranges
- Spring: January – April (at least 16 hours per week)
- Summer: May 26, 2020 (mandatory) – August 2020
- Fall: September – December (at least 16 hours per week)
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis