First Year

First of all, it’s good to think about how you want to bring about change in your community and, in the bigger picture sense, in the world. Do you want to provide direct services to clients? Do you like helping someone fight an eviction and keep their home? Do you LOVE writing briefs and want to litigate? Do you prefer digging into statutes and seeing what needs to be changed? Your answers will change over your career, but it helps to know what lights you up right now.

Internships during law school can be a helpful way to show your dedication to legal aid and social justice work while meeting colleagues in the field. It can also be a way to get references and writing samples for future job applications. Many law schools have public interest funding for summer internship placements at legal aid organizations.

Then, when you’re at an organization, even as a volunteer, talk to people. Ask if you can join someone for coffee in person or on zoom to ask them about their work. If you’re on the benefits team, but you have always wanted to learn about housing, ask the housing lead if you can chat with them. Make friends at your own organization and at others. We are a small community in that everyone eventually knows everyone else, and if you make it known that you are interested in direct services work, but you’re currently doing policy work, friends may let you know about opportunities. This is especially important if you are moving across the state and still want to work in legal aid.