Jobs

City Bar Justice Center projects operate across a diverse range of legal issues. Each project is run by an experienced legal expert, coordinated by a dedicated staff member, and delivered through pro bono volunteer lawyers and community outreach. In addition, CBJC operates the largest free civil Legal Hotline in NYC, providing assistance to over 1,000 people per month.

Legal Intern (Summer 2024)

ABOUT US: The City Bar Justice Center – the largest division of the New York City Bar Association’s charitable affiliate, the City Bar Fund – furthers access to justice by addressing unmet civil legal needs of New Yorkers struggling with poverty and other systemic socioeconomic barriers. The Justice Center mobilizes law firms, corporate legal departments, and other legal institutions to provide pro bono legal services; educates the public on pertinent legal issues; fosters strategic community relationships; and impacts public policy. The Justice Center’s dozen civil justice projects, including the most comprehensive civil legal hotline in New York, are led by a staff of dedicated attorneys and professionals who provide high-quality civil legal services through brief advice and information, referrals, and both limited scope and extended representation that benefit more than 25,000 New Yorkers each year.

LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP: The Justice Center’s 2024 Legal Summer Internship Program will run for 8 -10 weeks from approximately May 28 – August 2, 2024.

HOURS: Approximately 35 hours/week | Hybrid schedule

DESCRIPTION: The City Bar Justice Center seeks motivated law school students for its Summer 2024 Internship Program. Candidates should be self-starters with strong organizational oral and written communication skills and a proven commitment to social justice and legal advocacy on behalf of communities facing systemic barriers.

Working with the supervision and mentorship of Justice Center attorneys and professionals with expertise in their respective fields, interns may conduct client intake, assist in drafting legal documents, help at legal clinics, draft research memos, and assist with the many other tasks necessary to run an efficient, client-centered legal services office. Summer interns also learn about the broad range of Justice Center projects through informal “brown bag lunch” presentations and participate in other professional development as well as social/networking opportunities.

———————————————

 “At the Justice Center, I learned substantive bankruptcy law, strengthened my issue-spotting abilities, and further developed my interpersonal and professional skills. I also developed pro bono management experience while liaising between CBJC and law firms or corporate legal departments. I also conducted research on developing volunteer programs for lawyers, which culminated in a proposal for CBJC to launch a volunteer interpreter program. I am extremely grateful for the cultural competency skills I developed this summer. I grew as a student, future attorney, and as a person.”

– Caraline, Consumer Bankruptcy Project and Pro Bono Initiatives Intern

For more reflections and insights from our 2023 summer intern class click here.

———————————————

TO APPLY: Please submit your resume, cover letter, transcript, and a writing sample here. In your cover letter, please indicate if you have a preference to intern with a specific Justice Center project(s). Projects with summer intern openings are listed below: 

Cancer Advocacy & Elderlaw | Consumer Bankruptcy | Federal Pro Se Legal Assistance | Immigrant Justice | Legal Clinic for the Homeless | Legal Hotline | Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law | Planning & Estates Law | Pro Bono Initiatives | Veterans Assistance

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting in January. All Justice Center internships are unfunded, however, we will verify internship hours and responsibilities and submit necessary reports for students who obtain outside funding. There should be no expectation or guarantee of employment with the City Bar at the end of the internship.

If you have any questions, please email us at cbjc-internship@nycbar.org

The City Bar Justice Center is a proud equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, and we particularly encourage applications from candidates belonging to communities historically under-represented in the legal profession. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. It is our policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, disability, arrest or conviction record, pregnancy, credit history, salary history, caregiver status, marital status, partnership status, or status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, religion, sex, genetic information, military status, unemployment status or any other characteristic as protected by law. With regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act and other related laws, the organization will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations for persons due to their religious beliefs, disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition or because the individual was a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking.

Communications & Outreach Intern (Administration) 

DEPARTMENT:  Administration 

REPORTS TO:  Director of Operations and Communications & Outreach Associate  

LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP: Summer term, depending on school credit requirements but in any event, not to exceed 6 months.

HOURS: 35 hours/week | Hybrid schedule

ABOUT US: The City Bar Justice Center furthers access to justice by addressing unmet civil legal needs of New Yorkers struggling with poverty and other systemic socioeconomic barriers. The Justice Center mobilizes law firms, corporate legal departments, and other legal institutions to provide pro bono legal services, educates the public on pertinent legal issues, fosters strategic community relationships, and impacts public policy.  

DESCRIPTION: The Justice Center seeks an undergraduate student who is eager to learn about the ins and outs of running a non-profit, providing exposure to law and policy, community outreach and advocacy, technology, and more. The Administration Intern will work in collaboration with the management team to help support organization-wide programs and initiatives.  

This internship is best suited for an undergraduate student interested in pursuing a career in nonprofit and public interest advocacy work. Key areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to: 

Communications and outreach 

  • Conduct industry research and propose new strategies and practices to increase engagement and better achieve communications/outreach strategic goals  
  • Create key stakeholder contact lists 
  • Identify existing and/or new potential partner organizations to engage in outreach efforts  
  • Develop communication materials such as decks, one-pagers, graphics, and social media posts including copyediting and proofreading 
  • Participate in outreach activities including the distribution of materials to community partners, meetings with other service providers, advocates, etc., and campaign development 

Administration 

  • Support the development of administration initiatives (e.g., technology, data)  
  • Research industry best practices and make recommendations for improvements and build-outs 
  • Research and identify new potential system features, procedures, or processes 
  • Help develop and update learning resources, including training materials, report templates, and manuals 

Other role-related tasks as needed 

BENEFITS & LEARNING OBJECTIVES OF INTERNSHIP: 

  • Gain unique exposure to over a dozen legal practice areas, a wide range of nonprofit management functions (e.g., client services, technology, communications, fundraising), and access to a diverse network of professionals.  
  • Receive advanced skills development training and mentorship from organizational leadership and experienced professionals. 
  • Obtain hands-on professional experience while making meaningful, impactful contributions. 
  • Build your professional portfolio, showcasing new skills, experiences, and accomplishments. 
  • Access to any of the Justice Center affiliate New York City Bar Association’s programs, which cover a broad range of legal and policy areas and often include meeting City Bar committee chairs, prominent judges and lawyers, elected officials, and other professionals. 

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Pursuing a bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience. 
  • Resourceful and flexible self-starter with excellent time management and prioritization skills, ability to work both collaboratively and independently, and strong attention to detail.  
  • Excellent communication (both written and oral) and problem-solving skills.  
  • Experience (or capacity to learn) essential tech platforms (e.g., Office 365, database management) are highly preferred. Experience with graphic design and/or social media desirable.  

 This is an unpaid internship. Stronger consideration will be given to candidates who secure academic credit or funding for this internship through their college or university. There should be no expectation or guarantee of employment with the City Bar at the end of the internship. 

 To apply: Please click here to submit your resume and cover letter via JazzHR.  

The City Bar Justice Center is a proud equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, and we particularly encourage applications from candidates belonging to communities historically under-represented in the legal profession. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. It is our policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, disability, arrest or conviction record, pregnancy, credit history, salary history, caregiver status, marital status, partnership status, or status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, religion, sex, genetic information, military status, unemployment status or any other characteristic as protected by law. With regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act and other related laws, the organization will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations for persons due to their religious beliefs, disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition or because the individual was a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking.