Philadelphia VIP, the hub of pro bono in Philadelphia, recruits, trains, and supports volunteer attorneys who provide free legal services to low-income clients.
VIP seeks highly motivated second- or third-year law students to serve as summer legal interns supporting VIP’s work in the many areas where our clients face critical legal needs, including: family law (custody, support, divorce, adoption), homeownership/tangled title (probate, quiet title, and deed transfers), debt collection, guardianship, tort defense, and estate planning. Our legal interns function as valued members of the VIP team. With attentive attorney supervision and training, interns gain valuable skills that will help them launch careers in any sector of the legal profession or in non-profit leadership.
E-mail cover letter and resume to Karna Laubenstein, Director of Operations, klaubenstein@phillyvip.org. No calls, please. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of February 17, 2023.
What to include in your cover letter: We invite you to include a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of VIP’s staff team and legal practice.
This position is supervised by a Staff Attorney. Interns go through a two-week orientation process customized to their specific positions.
We have several legal internship slots each summer and during the school year, depending on staff needs.
Yes. If your school offers credit for internship experiences, let us know and send us materials. We want to support your professional development however we can.
VIP does not have funding for paid internships. We are happy to work with our interns to secure other funding, including fellowships and Work Study.
Yes. VIP is a “community service” Work Study site. We are happy to make a Work Study contract with your school, and we require a waiver of the “co-pay” some schools ask employers to contribute. Contact your Financial Aid Office as soon as possible about this.
The intern must be available during normal daytime office hours. Summer internships at VIP start in May and run through August for a ten-week period. School-year internships begin when class start and continue through the end of the semester (usually about 13 weeks). We have found a minimum commitment of 12 hours per week in the school year, and 35 in the summer, provides the ideal experience for all.
Yes. We encourage our interns to apply for funding and keep us informed so we can help.
Yes. VIP has an ongoing need for interpreters and translators in various languages.