Jobs at Public Counsel

Summer law interns support public interest impact litigation involving child welfare, immigrant rights, housing rights, and education equity. Responsibilities include legal research and writing, drafting briefs and declarations, discovery review, fact gathering, client interviews, settlement monitoring, coalition work, hearings, mediation, and trial preparation. Interns receive attorney mentoring, contribute to legal strategy, and manage assignments across multiple cases under a law firm-style supervision model.

Summer law interns support Public Counsel’s Immigrants’ Rights Project through client interviews, immigration relief applications, legal research, court appearances, advocacy materials, community education, policy advocacy, and strategic litigation. Interns may work with asylum seekers, immigrant survivors, unaccompanied children, detained immigrants, and other underserved communities. The role offers hands-on experience in direct legal services and systemic advocacy.

Summer law interns support education equity advocacy through legal research and writing, client intake, litigation and administrative proceedings, school discipline and special education hearings, Title IX matters, and Know Your Rights community education. Applicants must be first- or second-year law students and submit application materials including a cover letter, resume, and writing sample.

Summer law interns provide pro bono legal services to nonprofits, small businesses, entrepreneurs, child care providers, and community organizations. Responsibilities include client intakes, legal research, drafting bylaws, contracts, demand letters, and other documents, preparing community trainings, attending coalition meetings, supporting litigation, and advancing policy advocacy related to housing, economic development, racial justice, and inclusive communities.

Summer law clerks support consumer rights and economic justice work under attorney supervision. Responsibilities include interviewing clients and witnesses, evaluating potential cases, researching law, drafting memoranda and demand letters, and assisting with litigation and policy advocacy. Interns manage their own caseload, attend case reviews, observe court proceedings, and may participate in depositions, mediations, and policy coalition calls.

Provide litigation support for impact litigation: manage deadlines, conduct trauma-informed interviews, draft declarations and filings, assist with discovery and trial prep, perform legal research, manage documents and e‑filing, coordinate pro bono volunteers, and support cross-project collaboration and community outreach.

Provide trauma-informed, client-centered immigration defense for detained and non-citizen clients in removal proceedings, bond and habeas matters, BIA and Ninth Circuit appeals, and affirmative relief; manage a 30–35 active-matter caseload, collaborate with interdisciplinary team, collect case data, and perform related administrative tasks.

Supervise delivery of bankruptcy and consumer debt services, manage grants and reporting, recruit and train pro bono volunteers, mentor staff, liaise with courts, engage in policy advocacy, assist with administration and strategy, and represent Public Counsel externally.

Lead and execute an organization-wide communications strategy to elevate Public Counsels profile, manage media and crisis communications, oversee digital strategy, brand stewardship, and content production, and align communications with fundraising and program goals. Supervise and develop a small Communications team, establish standards and metrics, and coordinate internal and external messaging to amplify client and community voices and support advocacy and litigation efforts.