The Public Interest Law Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetics, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance. The Law Center is committed to protecting the safety of children with whom it comes in contact.
The Amy Ginensky & Andy Rogoff Emerging Advocate Initiative is our internship program for law students seeking an opportunity to immerse themselves in high impact legal work.
The Public Interest Law Center uses high-impact legal strategies to advance the civil, social, and economic rights of communities in the Philadelphia region facing discrimination, inequality, and poverty. We use litigation, community education, advocacy, and organizing to secure access to fundamental resources and services.
At the Law Center, students will gain experience in civil rights law and learn the inner workings of one of Philadelphia’s premier public interest nonprofits. Law Center attorneys and staff are committed to helping train the next generation of civil rights lawyers, advocates, and nonprofit leaders. Through our internship program, we offer mentorship and support; host guest speakers and other opportunities to learn more about a variety of areas of law and public interest advocacy; and provide practical education in skills like legal writing.
All internship positions are located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We encourage students to seek outside funding opportunities, work-study availability, or school credit and we will gladly handle any necessary administrative requirements. We offer limited summer funding opportunities for law students through the Clarke Scholars Fund. See below for more details.
Legal Interns
We offer legal internships year-round. We primarily hire 2L and 3L interns due to the nature of our practice, which requires advanced legal research and writing skills, but welcome 1L applications and occasionally offer positions to standout 1L candidates.
We give legal interns significant responsibilities on substantive legal projects in the areas of voting, education, housing, employment, health care, and environmental justice. Interns typically complete assignments in several of these practice areas and can pursue work related to areas of particular interest. Assignments include legal research and writing; drafting briefs, pleadings, and discovery requests; reviewing and analyzing discovery responses and documents; interviewing clients and witnesses; and preparing policy memoranda and proposed legislation. Interns interested in community lawyering also have the opportunity to work alongside community lawyers and organizers to support outreach and relationship building efforts, community meetings and clinics, and collective direct actions. Interns also gain practical experience through shadowing attorneys at meetings and court appearances.
We seek applicants with the following qualifications:
- Excellent analytical and research skills;
- Demonstrated excellence in legal writing;
- Initiative and creativity;
- Collaborative skills and capacity for teamwork with colleagues and clients;
- Enthusiasm about our mission.
Application Deadlines
We review applications and extend offers on a rolling basis. For fall internships, we begin reviewing applications in early June. For spring internships, we begin reviewing applications in early October. For summer internships, we begin reviewing applications in August.
We are not currently accepting applications for undergraduate internships.
Clarke Scholars Fund Application (Summer 2027)
Note: we will accept applications on a rolling basis for the 2027 Clarke Scholars fund beginning in July 2026.
Purpose and Eligibility
Named after the Law Center’s former Executive Director, Jennifer R. Clarke, The Clarke Scholars Fund provides a stipend of up to $10,000 for one law student each year who would not otherwise have the means to accept a summer internship with the Law Center. In addition to funding, Clarke Scholars will have the opportunity to meet with Jenny Clarke throughout the summer for mentoring and to discuss their internship and professional goals.
In addition to demonstrating a commitment to public interest work and a strong academic record, Clarke Scholar applicants should demonstrate financial need. Financial need includes if your law school does not provide a stipend for summer internships or if your school’s summer funding is insufficient.
