Students can gain valuable legal experience while providing much needed help to underrepresented groups through summer and academic year internships with a wide variety of public interest employers both nationally and internationally. Public interest internships often involve significant responsibility and client contact. In addition to public interest students, those seeking long-term opportunities in the private sector are encouraged to consider working for at least the first summer, or a semester, in a public interest setting- and many do, as a form of service and also for professional growth. Employers benefit from the enthusiasm and ability of our students while clients receive invaluable assistance. Summer public internships are typically unpaid, but may be funded by the law school through the Federal work-study program as well as by sources external to the law school through private grants. During the school year, students can seek to obtain academic credit for internships through Temple Law’s practicum program. Be sure to check the Practicum Registration website to find out about the practicum application process, including important deadlines.
The Consumer Bankruptcy Assistance Project routinely relies heavily on the volunteer efforts and considerable skills of Temple Law School’s students. CBAP has enjoyed this partnership immensely because the students are cooperative, reliable, and easy to train and supervise. But most importantly, we welcome Temple students because they are so focused on getting the job done right and helping our clients obtain financial stability.
Mary Anne Lucey, Executive Director of the Consumer Bankruptcy Assistance Project
One of our graduates, Rachel Garland ’07, heads Community Legal Services’ law student internship program and works with many of our students. Garland said: “Law students are an invaluable part of Community Legal Services. We look forward to the booster shot of enthusiasm, commitment and thoughtful questioning that they bring each summer and during the school year. Our clients benefit from the extra time, attention and representation that we are able to provide thanks to the law students’ presence.”
For Students
Law students are first eligible to begin applying for internship opportunities starting on December 1 of their 1L year, for the following summer. Students interested in finding summer and (for 2Ls and up) academic year public interest internship opportunities should consult postings on the Career Planning Manager and the weekly Career Services email bulletin, as well as participate in public interest job fairs. In addition, students are encouraged to apply directly to public interest employers that interest them for summer and academic year opportunities. You can identify public interest agencies with internship opportunities well-suited to your skills, interests and long-term goals – and get advice on the application and interview process – through career counseling appointments, independent research on such websites as psjd.org, and by attending career panels and other programs. For counseling appointments and answers to basic questions, email lcareer@temple.edu.
For Employers
Public interest employers who are interested in recruiting Temple Law students and graduates for summer and academic year internships should send postings to lcareer@temple.edu. Employers who seek guidance on the posting or who want to discuss opportunities in greater depth should call Jorge Godoy. The Public Interest Public Service (PIPS) fair is a great opportunity to recruit students for summer internships from all area law schools, including Temple, on the same day at a central location.