Summer 2020 Undergraduate Legal Internship
ArchCity Defenders is working on broad-based change to the St. Louis region’s criminal legal system. One way we advance this agenda is through the use of impact litigation. In order to effectively file and argue civil rights impact cases, it is necessary to have extensive knowledge of legal precedents, state and federal statutes, and county and municipal ordinances.
Although impact litigation has become one effective tool for change, ArchCity Defenders remains dedicated to representing our clients and changing the lives of our clients on an individual basis. To this end, we provide direct representation in housing, elder, consumer, family, criminal, and other areas of the law.
Undergraduate interns function as a part of an interdisciplinary team and coordinate with attorneys and staff to support ACD’s mission and expand our reach. Interns may engage with clients, support attorneys and paralegals, organize and facilitate events and other development work, or assist with communications. A successful intern needs to be assertive, independent, persistent, empathetic, proactive, and flexible. They will need to take initiative, use problem-solving skills, see projects through to completion, and become a strong advocate for themselves and others.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Interview and communicate with clients and witnesses
- Perform fact and legal research
- Draft memos, motions, pleadings, or letters to clients
- Assist with discovery and investigations
- Communicate with courts
- Create and maintain case files
- Assist attorneys in preparing for court
- Perform other office operation functions or any other duties as assigned to help the legal staff do its best work
- Support the mission of ACD and work with staff to support that mission
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent research and writing skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Detail-oriented approach to working in a team-driven organization
- High capacity for problem solving and self-direction and the ability to work independently within time constraints
- Flexible and able to respond appropriately to ACD’s changing needs
- Commitment to racial and economic justice and systems change
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity toward diverse populations; awareness of structures of power, privilege, and oppression
- Proficiency in Spanish or other languages is appreciated, but not required
All internships are unpaid, volunteer positions. However, ACD will work with students who secure funding from outside sources or to obtain class credit where available.
ArchCity Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people who identify with historically underserved or underrepresented communities, people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQIA+, and gender non-conforming applicants. ACD encourages applications from all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, familial status, citizenship, disability, military or veteran status, and record of arrest or conviction.