Who We Are: CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City, where all children and adults have access to the resources and supports they need to thrive. We take a comprehensive approach by offering more than 180 integrated programs in: Education & Youth Development, Family Support, Job Training & Employment Support Services, Health, Housing, and Legal Services. We reach more than 72,000 individuals and families each year at our 100 locations, including 10,000 youth. CAMBA serves a diverse cross section of New Yorkers from new mothers in Brownsville to job seekers in the Rockaways. More than half of our clients are immigrants and refugees from around the globe. Over 85% of our families live in poverty, reflecting the challenges faced by nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers today.
CAMBA Legal Services, Inc. (CLS) is the legal services arm of CAMBA, Inc. and provides free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers. The Consumer Law Unit represents low-income New Yorkers in matters involving a consumer financial transaction at their genesis, including defending debt collection lawsuits and suits for the collection of back rent; dealing with identity theft; addressing financing fraud and debt collection abuses; advocating for survivors of economic abuse, and more. We view consumer law as a critical tool for advancing economic justice by empowering individual consumers and combating the systemic bad practices that harm communities. In addition to providing direct representation and providing legal advice and counsel to hundreds of clients a year, CAMBA’s consumer law attorneys also engage in legislative advocacy, bring impact litigation in both state and federal court, provide community education and offer expert training on a wide range of issues, services that allow members of our community improve their lives.
Position: Summer 2027 Intern (Consumer Law Unit)
Reports To: Assistant Program Manager
Location: 20 Snyder Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11226
What Does the Consumer Law Intern Do:
- The person filling this position is expected, under general supervision, to: Conduct legal research of consumer law, including statutes, case law, judicial decisions, legal articles, regulations, and legal codes
• Draft written work for both internal and external audiences, including objective memoranda and advocacy materials like briefs and letters
• Assist at and conduct legal intake interviews and assess clients’ legal situations, needs, and eligibility for services.
• Investigate the facts and applicable law of each case to identify potential causes of action and defenses and assist in developing appropriate case strategies.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date client and case files, including timely case notes and required data entry into applicable case management systems.
• Attend and provide support at court appearances
• Collect and analyze data on systemic bad practices to plan affirmative litigation and policy advocacy
• As interested, develop and prepare educational and community outreach materials.
• Support and shadow consumer law staff at courthouse-based clinics
- The person filling this position is expected, under general supervision, to: Conduct legal research of consumer law, including statutes, case law, judicial decisions, legal articles, regulations, and legal codes
Education, Licenses and/or Certifications Required:
- Bachelor's degree (B. A. or B.S.)
Must be currently enrolled in a J.D. program and have completed one year of law school prior to the start of the internship
Minimum Experiences & Skills Required:
- Interest in economic justice and/or direct services
• Prior experience working with vulnerable populations.
• Strong research, writing, and communication skills
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office Suite.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bi-lingual preferred (Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, Arabic, Russian, Urdu)
Compensation: Unpaid Internship
Status: Internship
CAMBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace. People of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, marital or veteran status, pregnancy status or sexual orientation.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- Currently enrolled in a J.D. program
- Completed one year of law school before the internship begins
- Interest in economic justice and/or direct services
- Prior experience working with vulnerable populations
- Strong research, writing, and communication skills
- Computer literacy in Microsoft Office Suite
- Bilingual proficiency in Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, Arabic, Russian, or Urdu
What We Do
CAMBA serves more than 65,000 individuals and families each year, citywide, including 10,000 youth. Our 160+ programs in 95 locations improve the lives of a diverse cross section of New Yorkers. From homelessness prevention in Staten Island to supportive housing in the Bronx; from employment training in Manhattan to after school programs and college access in Brooklyn; from family shelter and support in Queens to increasing affordable housing across the city, CAMBA provides holistic services to help struggling New Yorkers stabilize their lives and become self-sufficient. More than half of our clients are immigrants and refugees from around the globe. Over 85% of our families live in poverty. We’re working to change that dynamic so individuals, families, and New York City communities can thrive and succeed. Join our team at http://camba.org/careers Connect with @CAMBAinc via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter And, follow CAMBAVoices.blog.
