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.

We are pleased to offer internships for law students seeking an opportunity to immerse themselves in high impact legal work.

We are not currently accepting applications for undergraduate internships.

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, which provides a stipend of up to $10,000 for one law student who would not otherwise have the means to accept a summer internship with the Law Center.

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:

1. Excellent analytical and research skills;
2. Demonstrated excellence in legal writing;
3. Initiative and creativity;
4. Collaborative skills and capacity for teamwork with colleagues and clients;
5. Enthusiasm about our mission.

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.

Application Deadlines

For summer internships, we review applications and extend offers on a rolling basis, beginning in early September.

How to Apply

This is a competitive process and we will select candidates on a rolling basis as we receive applications.

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, unofficial law school transcript, and writing sample. To be considered for the Clarke Scholars Fund, please also submit a one-page personal statement as outlined below. Your cover letter should be 1-2 pages long and should include a statement of your reasons for seeking an internship at the Public Interest Law Center. If possible, please format your materials as a single PDF file. Please send these materials by email to internships@pubintlaw.org.

Due to the volume of applications received, we will only be contacting candidates selected for an interview.

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.

How to Apply

Along with the regular application materials listed on our website (cover letter, resume, writing sample, unofficial law school transcript), to apply to be a Clarke Scholar, please submit a one-page personal statement that includes the following information:

• Background: Tell us about yourself, your decision to go to law school, your interest in public interest law, and any noteworthy experiences or achievements in your personal or professional path, including any obstacles or challenges you encountered.
• Career Goals: What do you hope to accomplish in your career?
• Financial Need: Please provide an explanation of your financial need and how this scholarship will assist you and allow you to intern with us. Please include a description of any anticipated summer funding (including the total amount of funding from each source), as well as if your law school has a cap on the total amount of funding you may receive.

Please submit all materials by email to Brent Landau (blandau@pubintlaw.org) and internships@pubintlaw.org.