Internships at LASP

(updated July 13, 2026)

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Build your legal skills and serve the community!

Interning with Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) is a great opportunity for students to develop a deep understanding of the legal issues that face our most vulnerable neighbors in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counites.

Interns gain hands-on experience and training, working closely with LASP attorneys, paralegals and support staff to develop skills such as:

• Interviewing clients, investigating facts and conducting legal research.

• Interpreting laws, rulings and regulations to advise clients accordingly.

• Preparing legal documents such as petitions, appeals and other pleadings.

• Attending court conferences and hearings.

• Developing strategy, arguments and testimony.

• Drafting letters to clients and managing case files.

• Participating in community outreach events.

• Creating pro se materials.

LASP offers several types of internships

General Office Intern

This is a generalist position in which interns have the chance to work on a variety of cases, including family law matters, housing and consumer law issues, access to public benefits and elder law. These positions are generally available in Bristol, Chester, Norristown, and West Chester. In the Doylestown office, interns will primarily focus on family law and domestic violence cases.

Community Engagement Unit (CEU) Intern

The CEU assists clients in removing barriers to employment, education and housing through expungements, limited access, pardons, and waiving criminal court debt, as well as helping with legal name changes. The CEU is based in Norristown and hosts at least three interns each term.

Consumer Law & Bankruptcy Intern

LASP’s consumer law and bankruptcy practitioners assist clients facing financial distress with a variety of issues including bankruptcy, debt collection and mortgage foreclosure. Interns have the unique opportunity to support LASP attorneys as well as private practitioners who volunteer to assist LASP clients with these matters. The internship is based in Norristown and will assist clients in all four counties.

Veterans Advocacy Project (VAP) Intern

The VAP focuses on community engagement and representation for veterans (and surviving dependents) with accessing disability compensation benefits from VA and social security, as well as military discharge upgrades. The VAP is based in LASP’s Chester City office and provides assistance to veterans throughout the region.

Domestic Violence Office Intern

LASP’s Victimos of Crime Act (VOCA) unit assists survivors of domestic violence in obtaining civil protection from abuse orders, custody, simple divorce and related housing issues. Internships are available to students who are committed to working with survivors.

Time Commitment

Full-time summer internships

LASP’s full-time summer internship program begins after Memorial Day and continues through the beginning of August. Students participate in a virtual firm-wide training and have opportunities to learn about all LASP’s practice areas.

Part-time positions during the school year

LASP accepts interns during the Fall and Spring semesters. Interns must work a minimum of 10 hours per week. Scheduling is flexible and can be set with your individual supervisor based on your class schedule and the office needs.

Qualifications

All internships are open to law students. LASP encourages law students who have completed three semesters to become Certified Legal Interns, which allows students to appear in court under the supervision of a LASP attorney. Qualified undergraduates may also be considered.

Candidates should demonstrate a passionate commitment to public interest law and seek to become a client-centered, culturally-competent, trauma-informed attorney. Excellent analytical, critical thinking, organizational, time-management and communication skills. The successful candidate must be willing to accept complex and challenging cases and develop creative strategies to assist clients.

Students will be placed in the office that is best suited to their interests and geographic location, depending on the needs of LASP staff. Internships are primarliy in-person with some opportunity for virtual work. Interns should expect to observe at court, attend community events, and participate in staff meetings in person.

Compensation

LASP internships are unpaid. However, LASP is willing to assist students in obtaining funding from other sources such as work-study or public interest fellowships.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Summer Legal Internship

LASP accepts applicants for the MLK Jr. Summer Legal Internship program offered by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN). Through this program, students receive additional mentorship and training from PLAN, as well as a monetary stipend. The MLK Program is intended to support students who bring a diverse set of skills and experiences to the legal profession and are committed to public service. Interested students should inquire about this opportunity.

Additional opportunities for student volunteers

Students can volunteer with LASP by participating at clinics and outreach events. This can mean drafting simple wills for seniors or assisting with an expungement petition alongside an experienced attorney or providing legal information at a community event. These one-time events take place throughout the year and can be found at lasp.org/events or by subscribing to e-news.

In Chester County, law students and undergraduates have the unique opportunity to help mobile homeowners prepare tax appeals through the annual Chester County Mobile Home Tax Reassessment Project. Students help conduct interviews and assist with drafting appeals. The project begins in February and continues through August with volunteer opportunities throughout. To learn more, contact Brian Doyle, Staff Attorney and Chester County Pro Bono Coordinator, at bdoyle@lasp.org.

How to apply

Email a resume and cover letter to Erika Becker, Pro Bono Director & Compliance Specialist, at probono@lasp.org. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until a position has been filled. There is no formal deadline.

Before submitting an application, candidates should carefully review the internship descriptions and office locations. Cover letters should indicate the type or types of internships that interest you and the preferred office location(s).

Equal Opportunity Employer

LASP is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate in the recruitment, selection, or advancement of employees on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information or on any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within LASP, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. LASP makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.