“Essential to any law student who wants to truly advocate and litigate in their careers outside of law school.”
“A unique experience with amazing people.”
During the summer, HLAB selects approximately 10-15 law students to serve as Summer Counsel, who will interact directly with clients, opposing parties, witnesses, and government agencies; engage in extensive factual and legal investigation; hone their research and writing abilities; and develop their litigation skills. Most Summer Counsel working at HLAB do so full-time, although we are willing to discuss alternative arrangements with students facing extenuating circumstances. Due to funding restrictions, HLAB is unable to pay its Summer Counsel, but a stipend will be provided to help with living and moving expenses.
HLAB Summer Counsel serve as the primary case handlers on every matter assigned to them and manage client contact, drafting of pleadings and motions, communication with opposing counsel, and advocating in courtroom and administrative hearing settings. Their work is supervised by HLAB’s Clinical Instructors, practicing attorneys with years of trial and supervision experience, and students will be trained in all the relevant areas of the law.
HLAB Summer Interns generally experience a broad range of litigation and legal experience within 1 of 3 primary practice areas, for which they may express a preference in their application. In the Family Law practice, HLAB represents clients in divorces, paternity, visitation, child support, and custody disputes, as well as in family defense matters involving the Department of Children and Families. In the Housing Law practice, HLAB represents individual clients who are being evicted from public, subsidized, and private housing. HLAB also works with tenant unions and other progressive organizations to ensure the availability of affordable housing in the Greater Boston area. Finally, in the Wage and Hour practice, HLAB allows students to work on affirmative lawsuits addressing violations of state and federal labor laws.
Application Instructions (accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled): Please send (1) a resume, (2) a cover letter, and (3) a law school transcript to:
Training Director
HLABrecruitment@gmail.com
Harvard Legal Aid Bureau
23 Everett Street, First Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138