HIV Law Project provides innovative legal services and advocacy programs for underserved, low-income people living with HIV/AIDS, particularly women and their families; people of color;
undocumented immigrants, members of the LGBT community; and the homeless.

Internships at HIV Law Project

HIV Law Project’s Legal Department is seeking volunteer law student interns to assist its legal team in providing comprehensive services to low-income people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

HIV Law Project was founded in 1989 in response to a growing need for innovative legal services and advocacy programs for underserved, low-income people living with HIV/AIDS, particularly women and their families; people of color; undocumented and recent immigrants; members of the LGBT community; and the homeless.

Internship Schedule:

September 2010 - December 2010: This internship is at least part-time (16-20 hours per week), although HIV Law Project will also accept full-time externship applications and will work closely with the student's school to secure academic credit and any other reporting needs. Applications due no later than August 15, 2010.

Intern Responsibilities:

Assist legal staff in representing clients in court on housing, immigration, discrimination, negligence, future planning, family law, welfare benefits, and social security issues;
Research caselaw in said substantive areas for motions and other legal memoranda;
Work directly with clients, conducting initial client interviews, participating in case acceptance and strategy decisions, and providing advice and/or brief services under supervision of attorney; and
Accompany legal staff to court and thereby gain a better understanding of the legal system and laws in practice.
Assist legal staff in administrative capacity by serving and filling documents, maintaining contact with clients, preparing motions for submission.

Intern Requirements:

Competitive applicants must

be enrolled at an accredited law school (all years encouraged to apply);
have strong research, writing, and interpersonal skills;
be comfortable with public speaking and engaging in advocacy efforts with various agencies;
demonstrate a strong commitment to social justice and human rights;
be reliable, organized, team-oriented and eager to learn more about the court system.

Fluency in Spanish or French highly desirable.(Language skills will be confirmed in interview so please explain your skill level accurately).

Application instructions:

Include a cover letter, resume with references and writing sample. Send complete applications via email ONLY to:
Ms. Yasmin Tabi, Esq.,
ytabi@hivlawproject.org

Materials must be received by August 15, 2010.

HIV Law Project is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, PLWHAS, people with disabilities, gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people are encouraged to apply.

Get Involved

"My first day of work at HIV Law Project, I spoke to clients and received an authentic taste of working as a non-profit attorney. In the first months of working, I was trusted with a high level of responsibility in both researching and writing in a wide variety of areas of law. While the learning curve has been high, I cannot think of a better way to gain genuine legal experience during my deferral year.

The staff at HIV Law project is very friendly, professional, respectful, compassionate and highly impressive. Each employee at HIV Law Project works diligently and tirelessly to help our clients. Moreover, the staff chose to integrate me, to treat me as an associate very early on and to respect my autonomy while providing me with invaluable guidance and continuous hands-on training on matters from housing law, to immigration law, to public benefits. I am very fortunate to be working for such an amazing organization and I look forward to the remainder of my deferral year."

Nicole Lonsway, Attorney,
White & Case, Fellow at HIV Law Project

"As a deferred associate, I could not have imagined a more fulfilling way to spend my time off. I was immediately welcomed by the entire staff and given the responsibilities of a new staff attorney. From day one, I have been in contact with clients and advocating on their behalf. I have a caseload of approximately 10-15 cases with issues that range from housing and welfare to immigration and domestic violence.

Aside from providing direct legal assistance to our clients, I have also been given the opportunity to work with the women in our Center for Women and HIV Advocacy and conducted training on domestic violence. I also have been following and researching legislation before the New York State Senate which would allow HIV-positive individuals to donate their organs to HIV-positive recipients. It has been an experience unlike anything I was exposed to in law school, and the hands-on, general practice of the HIV Law Project has prepared me to hit the ground running when I start at my firm."

Kelly Karneeb, Attorney,
Fried Frank, Fellow at HIV Law Project

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