Summer Legal Intern, CAMBA Legal Services

Who We Are:  CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City, where all children and adults have access to the resources and supports, they need to thrive.  We take a comprehensive approach by offering more than 180 integrated programs in: Education & Youth Development, Family Support, Job Training & Employment Support Services, Health, Housing, and Legal Services. We reach almost 80,000 individuals and families, including almost 13,000 youth. CAMBA serves a diverse cross section of New Yorkers from new mothers in Brownsville to job seekers in the Rockaways. More than half of our clients are immigrants and refugees from around the globe. Over 85% of our families are living in poverty, reflecting the challenges faced by nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers today.

Program Overview

CAMBA Legal Services is a community-based law practice in Brooklyn and Staten Island that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income New York City residents. Our mission as a dedicated and diverse staff of lawyers and paralegals is to provide our clients with the highest quality of legal representation while standing committed with our communities in the fight for racial, social and economic justice. Our unique approach at CLS seeks to empower clients through collaborative and holistic representation that provides the tools needed to navigate New York City’s legal systems and corresponding governmental agencies. We believe that housing, the freedom from unjust lending and collection practices, and the safety of immigrant communities are inalienable human rights that must be protected at all times to realize true justice and equity.

Position: Summer Legal Intern

Reports To: Supervisor-I

Location: 20 Snyder Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11226

What The Summer Legal Intern Does:

CAMBA’s Consumer Law Project provides legal assistance to clients in consumer matters, including debt collection proceedings, broken lease cases, auto fraud cases, identity theft, and other consumer frauds​. We represent consumers citywide, defending individuals who have been sued in state court as well as litigating affirmative suits in state and federal court. The intern’s responsibilities may include legal research and writing, factual investigating, participating in client meetings, observing court proceedings, shadowing and assisting at limited-scope assistance clinics,. This position is unpaid. The internship will be based in CAMBA’s Brooklyn office, and partially remote.

The person filling this position is expected, to do legal research and writing; factual investigation; participate in and support at client meetings; and attend and observe court proceedings. This may further include:

• Assist clients in completing CLS intake applications and forms, support attorneys at intake meetings, including by preparing questions, taking notes, copying documents, and speaking with the client directly.
• Research and analyze law sources such as statutes, regulations, judicial decisions, legal articles, etc.
• Prepare legal documents such as affidavits, briefs, pleadings, and letters.
• Analyze discovery documents.
• Investigate facts and law to determine causes of action/defenses and prepare case accordingly.
• Inspect and investigate case files at court.
• File legal documents with court clerks.
• Follow up with clients and other organizations regarding client progress toward legal goals.
• Prepare document requests.
• Support attorneys providing limited-scope assistance at court-based clinics.

Education, Licenses and/or Certifications Required:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Currently enrolled in a JD program as a first or second year law student

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to non-profit work and/or economic justice
• Excellent research and writing skills

Compensation : Unpaid Internship

Status: Full-time (35 hours per week)

CAMBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace. People of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, marital or veteran status, pregnancy status or sexual orientation.