Programs and Events Intern
LAW Advocates’ Mission: Provide free civil legal assistance to low-income Whatcom County residents.
LAW Advocates Programs and Events Intern will provide legal resources to clients and assist with LAW Advocates legal clinics. Community members contact our office to request legal aid. Programs and Events interns are often the first point of contact between community members and LAW Advocates. Interns will assist staff in screening clients, completing intakes, and adding clients into our case management software. Programs and Events interns will attend legal clinics for issues such as debt, family law, tenant law, and general law. Interns will learn about different legal clinics, local resources, and preparations for LAW Advocates programs and events.
Location: The position is at the LAW Advocates office, 1407 Commercial Street, Bellingham WA.
Hours: Approximately 5-12 hours a week completed at volunteer discretion. Calls to clients are typically made M-F during 9am-5pm. Clinic times vary, Street Law at the Library is one Saturday a month from 10am-2pm.
Commitment: 6 months minimum, or if the position is to serve as an internship, two quarters.
Start Date: Summer and Fall of 2024 Responsible to: Programs Manager
Duties:
- Preparation for current legal clinics
- Conduct client intakes both over the phone and through email
- Check and transcribe voicemails left on Law Advocates general extension.
- Attend meetings with Program Manager and other staff as required
- Schedule client appointments
- Follow-up with clients and prepare intakes, including legal issues and any necessary facts.
- Ensure all necessary data is collected, as this is required by our funders and stakeholders
- Input client into Street Law schedule with appropriate attorney.
- Enter intake information into case management software
- Refer clients to other LAW Advocate programs and/or community resources as appropriate
- Attend clinics and outreach programs, including Street Law at the Library held one Saturday per month
Qualifications:
- Interest in serving LAW Advocates’ Mission
- Ability to effectively communicate with staff, other volunteers, and clients
- Appreciation for the sensitive nature of the confidential information and ability to maintain confidentiality, including procedures for keeping written and electronic data private
- Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and maintain a positive working relationship with staff members, volunteers, and clients
- Ability to serve as a positive and professional representative of LAW Advocates
- Phone and basic computer literacy
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to navigate clients through resources and intake forms
- Independent worker not needing close supervision; good judgment
- Organized and detail oriented
Benefits:
- Make a big impact in the lives of low-income community members
- Gain experience with program coordination for a legal aid organization
- Work with attorneys and gain an understanding of local legal needs
- Help LAW Advocates provide essential legal aid to low-income people in our community
- Internship credit may be available depending on your academic program requirements
To Apply: Please send a statement of interest addressing why you are interested and why you are a good fit for this position, along with a current resume to Piper Tolbert (she/her), Program Manager, at [email protected].
Contact: Please email [email protected] with any questions.
We are an equal opportunities organization and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
Questions about Internships at LAW Advocates? Email [email protected].