Career Development Office
100 Law Center
Houston, Texas 77204-6060
Phone: 713-743-2090
Fax: 713-743-2091
lawcareer@uh.edu
Sponsored by:
The Career Development Office
Law Center Commons
February 14, 2014
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The Government and Public Interest Table Talk (GPITT) gives students the opportunity to meet with public interest employers and discuss internship opportunities for the upcoming summer or academic year. During the event, local non-profit organizations and government agencies come to campus and set up booths in the Law Center Commons and share information on their organization and its hiring needs. Remember to dress professionally and bring copies of your resume!
Also, look out for the GPITT Informational Session where you will learn what to expect, how to approach employers, and how to receive funds or academic credit for a public interest placement. The Informational Session will take place during Public Interest Law Week, February 10-13, 2014.
List of 2013 Participating Organizations:
ACLU of Texas *Please note that the ACLU will not be attending the Table Talk, but will be accepting applications via email by January 31, 2013.
Organization description: The ACLU is one of the nation's foremost defenders of civil liberties and civil rights. We are a nonpartisan organization dedicated to defending the Bill of Rights through litigation, legislation, and public education. The Texas affiliate of the ACLU, founded in 1938, is headquartered in Houston, and includes regional offices in Austin and Brownsville.
Description of activities for students: The ACLU Foundation of Texas’ Legal Program seeks highly motivated law students, with a demonstrated commitment to civil rights and civil liberties, and the initiative and energy to see projects to completion. Preference will be given to second-year law students. First-year law applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to civil rights. Spanish language ability is preferred. Legal Program interns will be supervised by the ACLU Foundation of Texas’ Legal Director and/or staff attorneys. Assignments include: (1) Assisting in litigation; (2) Investigating complaints; (3) Completing fact research and legal analysis; and (4) Drafting memoranda in preparation for litigation of civil rights cases.
The ACLU of Texas works across the spectrum of the Bill of Rights. Our campaign priorities for 2011-2013 are Immigrants Rights, Youth Rights, Religious Freedom, and Criminal Law Reform. Each intern will be assigned primary responsibility for working on cases and investigations in one or more of the campaign areas below and efforts will be made to accommodate the particular interests of each intern.
Immigrant Rights Campaign: focus is on ending state and local law enforcement of federal immigration law; ensuring equal protection of the law to all non-citizens; stopping abuse of power by federal authorities along our border; and ending civil immigration detention and sub-standard living conditions for non-citizens in custody.
Criminal Law Reform Campaign: focus is on ending over-incarceration in Texas with an emphasis on eliminating racial disproportionality; ending the privatization of prisons and jails in Texas; and ending the death penalty in Texas.
Religious Freedom Campaign: focus is on ensuring K-12 public school curriculum and textbooks are free from government-sponsored religion; promoting the separation of church and state on public school campuses; and ensuring Texans are able to practice their faiths, or no faith at all, without government interference.
Youth Rights Campaign: focus is on keeping students from entering the criminal justice system; ending the use of solitary confinement of children in prisons and jails; and ensuring all children are treated equally in Texas schools.
Legal Program interns have the opportunity to participate in ACLU Foundation of Texas summer internship events, such as workshops, meetings with civil rights and social justice lawyers from around Texas, social events, and summer outings.
Positions considered: Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L
Provide: Students attending law school in Texas are rquired to apply through the University of Texas School of Law's Public Service Career Fair. Students who cannot participate in UT PSCF should send a cover letter specifying which issue area you are interested in, resume, brief writing sample (no more than 5 pages), and law school transcript (if available) electronically to Brenda Torres with "Summer 2013 Legal Internship Application" in the subject line. Applications will not be accepted after January 31, 2013.
Prefer applications to be submitted: Before the event
Other Comments: Unfortunately, the ACLU Foundation of Texas is unable to fund summer internships; however, we will assist students to obtain their own funding in any way we can. We have had significant success working with students to secure grants and fellowship funding. We will also assist students who wish to obtain clinical or academic credit for their internship. No phone calls please.
Contact Information:
Brenda Torres
P.O. Box 8306, Houston, TX 77288
btorres@aclutx.org
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Anti-Defamation League - Marvin Nathan Fellowship
Organization Description: The Marvin D. Nathan Fellow will be afforded the unique opportunity to participate both in the ADL’s day-to-day legal work and its day-to-day Regional Office work.
Description of Activities for Students: The fellow will participate in both the legal and policy work of the organization, learning how the ADL defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all. The fellow will be supervised by The Jean and Jerry Moore Southwest Civil Rights Area Counsel.
Positions Considered: Summer Fellow
Minimum hours: The fellowship will last 5 weeks, to coincide with the Law Center’s summer academic calendar. The fellow will commit to a minimum of 35 hours per week. The fellowship award is $5,000 and will be paid out in three installments (beginning, middle and end) over the course of the fellowship period.
For more information see: http://www.law.uh.edu/pil/NathanFellowship.html
Organization description: Bayou Land Conservancy is a community-sponsored land preservation organization working with willing landowners to permanently protect land in the greater Houston region. We preserve river and bayou corridors, other properties with significant wildlife habitat value and places where family recreation can occur in harmony with nature. Our "No Child Left Inside" education program connects tomorrow's conservation leaders with nature today. Bayou Land Conservancy is proud to have conserved close to 8,500 acres in the greater Houston region.
Description of activities for students: Work on sand and gravel legislation for Texas, go on field trips with some of the best flora/fauna specialists in the Houston region, learn conservation easements and how to look up easements that affect land conservation.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Minimum hours: 15
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, FLLM
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume
Prefer applications to be submitted: Before the event, but will also accept applications at the event.
Contact Information:
Jennifer Lorenz
10330 Lake Rd. Bldg. J Houston, TX 77070
info@bayouland.org
281-576-1634
Organization description: The Immigration Service Center advocates for and assists in the filing of several immigration forms, family and fiancée sponsorships, and permanent resident or U.S. citizenship applications. The Community Against Domestic Violence (CADV) Program provides direct services, including case management and legal representation in family and immigration matters, to immigrant victims of domestic violence. The CADV team also conducts outreach and education to the community and local service providers. Victims of Exploitation and Trafficking Assistance (VETA) Program provides direct services including legal representation to immigrant victims of human trafficking. The VETA team also conducts outreach to the community, service providers and law enforcement to increase awareness of human trafficking and victim identification.
Description of activities for students: Summer Legal Interns will assist the staff attorney and legal service manager with family and immigration cases. This will include conducting intake with potential clients, drafting motions, researching law, and attending court hearings.
Positions considered: Fall, Summer
Will accept: 2L, 3L
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, Transcript, Writing Sample
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Elizabeth Tran
11360 Bellaire Blvd Ste 910, Houston, TX 77072
elizabeth.tran@bpsos.org
(281)530-6888
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance
Organization description: St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance is dedicated to providing high quality, low-cost and pro bono legal services to immigrants and refugees who would otherwise not be able to obtain legal representation. Center activities include outreach, legal assessment and counseling, representation as well as advocacy. The Cabrini Center is the largest non-profit immigration legal service provider in Houston accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals to represent individuals in immigration legal matters.
Description of activities for students: Interns provide legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable immigrants in the Houston area, including applications for relief for victims of crime, asylum seekers, unaccompanied minors, and for immigrants seeking to apply for permanent residency and citizenship, including refugees. They gain experience and training in all areas of immigration law practiced by the Cabrini Center by performing client intakes and legal research, and serving as a legal clerk. Focus can be directed based on the intersection of the intern’s particular interests and the needs of the Cabrini Center.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 2L, 3L
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, Writing Sample
Other Requirements: Fluency in Spanish is helpful, and the intern should be culturally competent and able to interact effectively with clients of exceedingly diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Alyssa Firkus
2900 Louisiana St., Houston, TX 77006
afirkus@catholiccharities.org
713-874-6614
Center for Children, Law, & Policy
Organization description: The mission of the Center for Children, Law & Policy is to engage in legal and interdisciplinary scholarship, advocacy and teaching to advance the interests of children through public policy. The Center for Children, Law, & Policy is located at the University of Houston Law Center and for specific examples of the work the Center does visit our website at: www.law.uh.edu/center4clp
Description of activities for students: Students work on policy statements, research for attorneys on juvenile justice issues, manuals for attorneys, and preparation for conferences.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, FLLM
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, Transcript, Writing Sample
Other requirements: Legal Writing grade must be a B or better
Applications submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Ellen Marrus
100 Law Center, Houston, TX
emarrus@uh.edu
713-743-0894
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Organization description: Child Advocates, Inc. mobilizes court appointed volunteers to break the vicious cycle of child abuse. We speak up for abused children who are lost in the system and guide them into safe environments where they can thrive.
Description of activities for students: Child Advocates volunteers are appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child or sibling group in foster care. They serve as the judge’s eyes and ears while the children are in custody, ensuring their unique needs are met until they can safely return home or are permanently placed with a loving relative or adoptive family. Unlike Child Protective Services caseworkers and court appointed attorneys who juggle overwhelming caseloads, our volunteers represent just one child or sibling group at a time. Their advocacy makes sure no child falls through the cracks of our overburdened child welfare system.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, FLLM
Provide: Resume
Contact Information:
Claire Sabatier
2401 Porstmouth, Houston, TX 77098
claire.sabatier@childadvocates.org
713-529-1396 x242
Organization description: CHILDREN AT RISK is an active think-tank dedicated to improving the quality of life of Texas' children through strategic research, public policy analysis, community education, and collaboration. We are the leading source of accurate information on the needs of all children in the Texas, as well as an advocate and catalyst for policy change.
Description of activities for students: Internships for our legal center will provide a rich, professional, personal, and intellectual opportunity for students who have completed their first year of law school. This internship is for students attracted to public interest law. Specifically, CHILDREN AT RISK focuses on five main issues affecting the whole child, including education, juvenile justice, human trafficking, parenting, and health.
Interns will be responsible for: Assisting in the drafting of legislation as well as research related to policies to be implemented in the next legislative session. Collaborating with other non-profit organizations, public officials and community stakeholders to advocate for children's rights. Coordinating and providing input on the implementation of future programs hosted by CHILDREN AT RISK: including continuing legal education programs, summer fellowship opportunities, education reform conferences, and policy briefings. Assisting in research to obtain data for some of the Quality of Life Indicators that serve as the foundation of the biennial Growing Up in Houston publication.
Positions considered: Summer 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014
Will accept: 2L, 3L
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, Writing Sample, Transcript (unofficial accepted)
Other requirements: All candidates should have completed their first year and be polished, with good written and oral communication skills. Candidates should have a strong work ethic, positive attitude and work well individually as well as in a team oriented environment. It is equally important that the candidate believe that education and advocacy on children's issues are essential for societal improvement. A sense of humor is also a strong plus.
Prefer applications to be submitted: Before the event
Contact Information:
Dawn Lew
2900 Weslayan, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77056
dlew@childrenatrisk.org
713-869-7740
Children's Assessment Center*Please note that the Children's Assessment Center will not be attending the Table Talk, but will accept applciations via email.
Organization description: The mission of The CAC is to provide a professional, compassionate and coordinated approach to the treatment of sexually abused children and their families and to serve as an advocate for all children in our community.
Description of activities for students:
Court Curriculum: The intern will have ample opportunity to work directly with the Harris County Attorney on Children’s Protective Services cases, including custody cases, temporary conservatorship, and cases involving the termination of parental rights. The intern will have opportunities to help prepare cases for hearings and trials and go to court to observe.
CAC Political Curriculum: The legal intern at The CAC will be solely responsible for:
Developing (or supporting the development of) and tracking legislation pertinent to The CAC, possibly in conjunction with The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas.
Continuing to build relationships with legislators from Houston, especially those with key positions on committees that will conduct hearings on CAC’s legislation.
Maintaining close contact with The CAC of Texas and Advocacy Centers around Texas that are working on common legislation.
Working directly with The CAC’s Executive/Assistant Director throughout the process for feedback and information (i.e. regarding policy decisions or political maneuvering within both the Harris County government or The CAC of Texas.
Researching legislation on the Internet (Texas Legislature Online) that impacts children’s health and welfare, child victims of abuse, perpetrators, adjudication of child abuse cases in the judicial system, or funding for Advocacy Centers, etc.
Contacting the legislators sponsoring the legislation and the organizations responsible for submitting the legislation to determine if The CAC should advocate for or against it.
Discussing such research with the Assistant Director or Executive Director before expending an inordinate amount of time on the legislation.
Scheduling meeting dates and times with Harris County legislators throughout the session to be attended by key board members and volunteers, in conjunction with intern and Executive Director or Assistant Director.
Working directly with key senators or representatives aides regarding key committee hearing dates and coordinating efforts to travel to Austin with the Executive Director or Assistant Director for these meetings.
Prepare all supporting documents, fact sheets, charts and spreadsheets pertaining to The CAC’s legislation in packets for legislators and volunteers interested in advocating for The CAC’s legislative agenda.
Reporting the status of such meetings and The CAC’s legislation to the Foundation Board members and Advocacy Committee
Qualifications: The Children’s Assessment Center requires a semi-seasoned law student (2nd semester of 1st year or more), who has keen analytical ability and experience reading and interpreting code law (i.e. the Texas penal or family code). The intern must be self-motivating, inquisitive, and able to prioritize numerous tasks and responsibilities. Prior experience or knowledge of the child welfare system, including laws that govern the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) children’s protection division, the judicial system, and other pertinent areas are a plus.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Minimum hours: 20
Will accept: 1L, 2L
Provide: Resume, Transcript, Writing Sample
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact
Information:
Karen Kennard
2500
Bolsover,
Houston,
TX
77005
karen.kennard@cac.hctx.net
713-986-3530
City of Houston Legal Department *Please note that City of Houston will not be attending the Table Talk, but will accept applications via email.
Organization description: The Legal Department is headed by the City Attorney, David M. Feldman. The City of Houston Legal Department strives to provide the highest quality municipal legal services to the City, its elected and appointed officials, and its employees in the most efficient manner feasible through adherence to the following guiding principles:
Quality & Service - Achieving high customer satisfaction as judged by our clients,
Partnership & Teamwork - Working cooperatively internally and with our clients to achieve the City’s goals,
Integrity & Candor - Acting with a commitment to honesty and ethical behavior,
Dignity & Diversity - Demonstrating esteem for the worth of each individual,
Innovation & Imagination - Seeking novel and creative approaches to achieving the City’s objectives.
Description of activities for students: Interns perform a variety of duties including but not limited to: Research and analyze laws, rules of procedure and evidence, and ordinances; Assist in the preparation of trials and legal documents, i.e. ordinances, resolutions, legal opinions, and contracts; Review previous cases to become familiar with established precedent and use as examples in subsequent similar cases
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 2L, 3L, FLLM
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, Writing Sample
Other comments: Email is the preferable method to submit inquiries
Contact Information:
Roosevelt Wright
City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby St., Suite 300, Houston, TX 77002
Roosevelt.Wright@houstontx.gov
832-393-6327
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City of Missouri City, City Attorney's Office
Organization description: The City Attorney's Office provides legal counsel to the City of Missouri City, a home-rule municipality located in the Houston area.
Description of activities for students: Students will have the opportunity to do the following: draft municipal ordinances and resolutions, prepare legal briefs and memoranda, draft contracts and conduct contract review, draft criminal complaints, observe municipal court proceedings, and assist the chief prosecutor with case development. Students who are eligible for and obtain a temporary trial card will also have the opportunity to try cases in municipal court.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: All students
Provide: Resume
Prefer applications to be submitted: Resumes are accepted for review at any time
Contact Information:
Caroline Kelley
1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, TX 77489
ckelley@missouricitytx.gov
281-403-8658
City of Pearland Legal Department
Organization description: The City Attorneys are appointed by City Council and represent the City in all legal matters and provide legal advice to the Mayor, City Councilmembers, and City administrative staff. The Legal Department is responsible for drafting the legislation upon which City Council votes in setting the policies of the city, attending City Council and other city board meetings to advise city officials and representatives regarding legal matters, selecting and managing outside counsel to represent the city in specialized litigation and other legal proceedings, prosecuting misdemeanors in the city's Municipal Court of Record, and advising and assisting every department of the City regarding legal issues associated with contracts, real estate transactions, personnel, economic development, engineering and public works issues, emergency services, and finance.
Description of activities for students: Interns work primarily in the Municipal Court assisting in all aspects of Class C Misdemeanor prosecution. If an intern is eligible to receive a law student bar card, he or she may even participate in trying cases in bench or jury trial.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L
Provide: Resume
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Katie Leininger
Assistant City Attorney
Organization description: The City of Sugar Land is a full-service municipality providing the highest quality of affordable services to meet the needs of its citizens. Master-planned communities and welcoming neighborhoods enhance home values and create a sense of belonging. The community offers outstanding schools, libraries, civic organizations and other resources that make Sugar Land a great place to work, live and raise a family.
Description of activities for students: The City Attorney/Prosecutor Intern will have the opportunity to attend municipal court proceedings, review and make recommendations to the prosecutor regarding plea bargains, assist in the preparation of court documents, perform legal research, attend both formal and informal meetings and draft simple documents.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L
Provide: Resume
Prefer Applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Mary Ann Powell
City Attorney
Organization description: The Dallas County Public Defender's Office is the largest indigent defense orgnaization in the State of Texas. We provide quality representation to the indigent citizens of Dallas County charge with Class B offenses and higher. We also provide services in the area of mental health, family law, juvenile law, child protective services, appellate law, and captial defense.
Description of activities for students: Students who intern, extern, or clerk with the Dallas County Public Defender's Office will have a practical, hands on experience. They will be involved in intake, client interviews, trial preparation, and legal research, as well as, other areas involved in litigation and litigation preparation.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume
Other requirements: Please provide a list of three to five references. Those references may be personal, professional, or academic.
Prefer applications to be submitted: Either before or at the event
Contact Information:
Lynn Pride Richardson
133 N. Riverfront Blvd., LB2, Dallas, TX 75207
Lrichardson@dallascounty.org
214-653-3554
Organization description: Disability Rights Texas is a non-profit, disability rights firm. We protect and advocate for the legal and human rights of Texans with disabilities. You can access additional information about the specific services we provide at our website: www.disabilityrightstx.org.
Description of activities for students: Student interns will be able to work cases with attorneys including having client contact, research, preparing demand letters and drafting legal documents including briefs, motions,complaints, discovery and other court pleadings. Interns will be able to shadow attorneys and even have some limited participation in administrative hearings, mediation, court, etc.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Minimum hours: 8
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L
Provide: Resume, Writing Sample
Prefer applications to be submitted: Before the event
Contact Information:
Lucia Romano Ostrom
1500 McGowen #100 Houston, Texas 77004
713-974-7691
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Organization Description: The Houston District Office (HDO) investigates about 6000 charges annually, alleging employment discrimination because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment and pregnancy), national origin, religion, age (40 and older) and disability (in private and federal sector), retaliation because of protected activity and gender-based wage violations. The HDO Legal Unit, with offices in Houston and New Orleans, consists of 16 staff members including ten attorneys. Jim Sacher, Regional Attorney, is the head of the Legal Unit and Rose Adewale-Mendes and Rudy Sustaita are supervisory trial attorneys. HDO attorneys litigate cases in the federal courts of Southeastern Texas and Louisiana and provide legal advice to HDO investigators during the investigation of charges.
Description of Activities for Students: The HDO (unpaid) Legal Internship program has been engaged in nurturing law students for over 15 years at its Houston location. Our program provides practical lawyering skills and experience working in a federal field office. Assignments are designed to allow each student to develop and practice counseling and investigative skills. Each students works under the close supervision of one of our attorneys and will likely assist with pretrial discovery and attend depositions. Assignments are supplemented with training videotapes on negotiation skills and trial advocacy skills and with selected reading materials. We seek to expose each student to resources to facilitate developing generic skills the student will use throughout his/her career.
Positions Considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Minimum hours: Fall and Spring interns are expected to work the number of hours required by his/her academic course. Summer interns are expected to work six (6), forty (40) hour weeks.
Will accept: 2L, 3L
Provide: Resume, Transcript, Writing Sample
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information: For general information about the EEOC see www.eeoc.gov.
Fe y Justicia Worker Center/Workplace Justice Program
Organization description: Fe y Justicia Worker Center is a safe space for workers, both immigrant and native born, to learn about their workplace rights and organize to improve conditions at work. The Worker Center operates in partnership with workers, religious congregations, unions, attorneys and government agencies charged with protecting workers rights.
Description of activities for students: As a Workplace Justice Legal Intern, you are charged with the honor and responsibility of fighting for justice alongside low-wage workers in the Houston area. Workers come to the Worker Center with various problems at work such as non-payment of wages, discrimination, and injury on the job. You will educate workers about their rights and labor law, and
provide them with information about past cases and potential courses of action.
Your responsibilities will also include coordinating the Legal Committee, and outreaching to firms and private attorneys to invite them to join the committee. You will also be partnered with an attorney who will mentor you throughout the internship.
To promote workers rights to a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, a safe and healthy workplace environment, and respect at work, is a concrete way to advance the cause of justice. As a Workers Rights Legal Intern you will have the opportunity to do something about it and build your resume and network of Houston-based attorneys at the same time!
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, FLLM
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume
Other Requirements: Must be bilingual - English/ Spanish. Demonstrated commitment to economic and social justice.
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Laura Perez-Boston
1805 W. Alabama St, 2nd Fl, Houston, TX 77098
lperez-boston@houstonworkers.org
713-862-8222
Federal Public Defender, Southern District of Texas
Organization Description: The Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Texas has offices in Houston, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen, and Laredo, and has fifty-nine attorneys working as Assistant Federal Public Defenders and fifteen investigators throughout the district. Our office was created pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, in 1974. We are appointed by the United States District Court to represent individuals who have been charged with federal crimes and who are not reasonably able to afford counsel. We represent our clients in the United States District Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and in the United States Supreme Court. Our cases run the gamut of federal offenses and include such offenses as drug, immigration, and financial crimes, to name a few.
Description of Activities for Students: Law student interns typically have played an integral role in assisting our trial and appellate lawyers with their cases. Interns work closely with, and under the auspices of, our lawyers and normally undertake some or all of the following tasks: (1) researching trial, evidentiary, and appellate issues; (2) reviewing and summarizing discovery; (3) preparing legal and factual memoranda for appellate and trial attorneys; (4) assisting attorneys in trial preparation prior to and at trial; (5) interviewing witnesses or clients with attorneys or with investigators; and (6) assisting attorneys in preparing motions for the trial court, briefs for the Fifth Circuit, and cert. petitions for the Supreme Court. We also give each intern an orientation on federal criminal law and provide written materials so that he or she can become more knowledgeable about federal criminal law and practice. In addition, we encourage our interns to attend trials and hearings daily so that they can experience how lawyers, judges, clients, and witnesses think, act, and respond in the courtroom.
Positions Considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Minimum hours: 20
Will accept: 2L
Provide: Resume, Transcript, Writing Sample
Prefer applications to be submitted: Either at or after the event
Contact
Information:
H. Michael Sokolow
mike_sokolow@fd.org
Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office
Organization description: District Attorney's Office with jurisdiction over misdemeanor and felony criminal prosecution.
Description of activities for students: Unpaid internships or externships for class credit
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 2L, 3L, FLLM
Provide: Resume, Separate Application
Other requirements: Will also conduct a criminal background check on all applicants and will not accept applicants with a positive criminal history
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Wesley Wittig
Assistant District Attorney
Fort Bend County Justice Center
1422 Eugene Heimann Circle
301 Jackson Street (mailing)
Richmond, TX 77469
(281) 341-4431
(281) 238-3366 fax
wesley.wittig@co.fort-bend.tx.us
281.341.4460
or
Sherry Robinson
Assistant District Attorney
srobinso@co.fort-bend.tx.us
281-341-4470
Organization description: The Galveston Bay Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been in existence since 1987. Its mission is to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of Galveston Bay and its tributaries for present users and for posterity. It has four major program areas: advocacy, conservation, education, and research.
In its advocacy role, GBF reviews and monitors projects proposed for around Galveston Bay. When necessary, GBF will participate in litigation aimed to stop or amend a proposed project. It also reviews and potentially comments on all proposed wetland permits for the Galveston region on a monthly basis. Under conservation, GBF works on both small scale and large scale wetlands restoration projects around Galveston Bay. It has preserved, protected, or enhanced over 3,000 acres of wetlands in the Galveston Bay region. Its education programs have both a classroom and an outdoor component and are geared for both students and adults. And finally, its research programs are geared towards ensuring the restoration work it does is successful in the long run.
Description of activities for students: (1) Assisting in any ongoing litigation as necessary; (2) Researching and writing on a variety of issues related to the work of the foundation. Most of the issues will directly involve environmental questions, but others may relate to the operation of a small non-profit business (i.e. employment questions or insurance questions); and (3) Supporting the work of the wetlands permit review committee.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Minimum hours: 10
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, LLM
Provide: Resume
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact
Information:
Bob
Stokes
17330 Hwy. 3,
Webster,
TX
77598
bstokes@galvbay.org
281-332-3381
x211
Organization description: The Gulf Region Advocacy Center, or GRACE, is organized for the purpose of supporting and providing quality representation to indigent persons charged with capital crimes in the state courts of Texas and Louisiana. The Director and several of the Board members are veteran capital trial lawyers who participated in building the Louisiana Crisis Assistance Center (LCAC) in New Orleans, Louisiana. The LCAC has developed an extremely successful method for investigating and presenting capital cases for indigent defendants. This method has been refined through dozens of capital cases in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. No such office or organization has ever existed in Harris County. Though the Harris County District Attorney's Office has long maintained specialized units for capital trial and appellate work, never has there been a Harris County defender's office devoted exclusively to capital trials of the indigent where public interest lawyers can work together, share skills and materials, benefit from economies of scale, engage in systematic impact litigation and become specialists in indigent capital trials. GRACE is such an office.
Description of activities for students: Intern tasks include detailed subject research, document collection, legal research and writing and witness interviews. GRACE provides high quality in-house training. Interns are expected to be willing to pitch in with a wide range of tasks, from photocopying and answering the phone to helping prepare US Supreme Court briefs. Enthusiasm and an excellent work ethic are invaluable at GRACE and the amount of energy that you put into your internship will dictate what you get out of it.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Minimum hours: Must be able to work full-time
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, FLLM
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, Writing Sample
Prefer applications to be submitted: Either before or at the event
Contact Information:
Cortney Busch
2307 Union Street, Houston, TX 77007
cortney@gracelaw.org
713-869-4722
Harris County Attorney's Office
Organization description: The Harris County Attorney's Office represents the County, its departments, elected and appointed officials, and employees in all civil matters that involve county business. Our office also represents the Harris County Hospital District, the Harris County Flood Control District, the Harris County Appraisal Review Board, and the Greater 911 Emergency Network, which are separate legal entities.
The County Attorney also represents the State of Texas in mental health commitments and children's protective services cases and assists Harris County in administration of the guardianship program, which cares for elderly and disabled individuals who are unable to care for themselves.
The office provides a full spectrum of legal services such as state and federal civil litigation, drafting and negotiating contracts, conducting condemnation proceedings, issuing County Attorney Opinions, collecting monies owed to Harris County, and preparing documents for bond issues. The office is organized into the following practice areas:
Compliance Division
Environmental and Infrastructure Division
Public Law Division
Hospital District Division
Litigation Division
Protective Division
Description of activities for students: As a law clerk at the HCAO, you will be an integral member of our team. You can expect to have an exciting and rewarding clerkship while learning about the law, relationships between the bench and the bar, about the high standards of ethics to which lawyers are held and about your role in the dynamic world of the law. Your dedication and effort will make your time spent here one of the most memorable and worthwhile experiences in your legal career.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L
Provide: Resume, Writing Sample
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Clyde Leuchtag
1019 Congress, 15th Floor, Houston, TX 77002
clyde.leuchtag@cao.hctx.net
713-755-8265
Harris County District Attorney's Office
Organization description: The Harris County District Attorney's office is responsible for prosecuting all criminal offenses that occur within Harris County.
Description of activities for students: Interns are assigned to work directly with experienced trial attorneys and help the attorneys with a wide range of duties that prosecutors perform. These include: (1) victim and witness interviews and documentation of these in the prosecution file; (2) assistance with formal plea procedures; (3) trial preparation; (4) research and writing; and (4) assistance with jury selection and jury trials. Interns routinely accompany prosecutors to court to observe and help with court dockets, hearings, and trials.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, Transcript, Separate Application
Other comments: We will not be interviewing or collecting materials at this event, merely providing information to the students about the opportunities at the Harris County District Attorney's Office. Students may submit their documentation before or after this event by emailing it directly to milligan_jessica@dao.hctx.net
Contact Information:
Jessica Milligan
1201 Franklin, 6th Floor, Houston, TX 77002
milligan_jessica@dao.hctx.net
713-755-5816
Harris County Public Defender's Office
Organization description: The PDO is a team of lawyers, investigators, psychosocial workers, and staff — all working together to help indigent citizens accused of crimes in Harris County. We have four attorney divisions: Felony Trial, Appellate, Juvenile, and Misdemeanor Mental Health. We strive to provide a strong, holistic defense to achieve the best result in every case, as well as to understand the needs of our clients beyond their criminal charges. We also work with the private defense bar and community leaders to advocate for progressive policy development and to attain the fair administration of justice.
Description of activities for students: The PDO offers a competitive internship program for a limited number of bright and compassionate law students to work at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center, assisting attorneys in court each morning and working on research, writing, and investigations in the afternoons. We strive to instill an advanced understanding of criminal defense and a compassion for citizens accused. As a PDO intern, you will have the unique opportunity to engage in one of the most exciting and meaningful practices of law.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, FLLM
Provide: Submit applications according to the instructions online at: http://harriscountypublicdefender.org/about/internships
Contact Information:
internapplications@pdo.hctx.net
Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program *Please note that HVLP will not be attending the Table Talk, but will accept applications via email.
Organization description: Non-profit legal services organization.
Description of activities for students: Unpaid internships allowing students positive interaction with staff attorneys, clients and administrative staff members. All interns participate in legal clinics, interview applicants and assist with case management activities.
Positions considered: Spring, Summer
Minimum hours: 20
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, FLLM
Provide: Resume
Contact Information:
Marisa Flores
712 Main Street, Suite 2700,
Houston, TX 77002
Marisa.Flores@hvlp.org
713-275-0140
Internal Revenue Service, Office of Chief Counsel (Small Business/Self-Employed and Large Business & International Divisions)
Organization description: The Office of Chief Counsel advises the IRS on the interpretation, administration and enforcement of the Internal Revenue laws, as well as all other legal matters, and represents the Internal Revenue Service in the Tax Court. The Office also provides legal guidance and interpretative advice to the the Treasury Department and to taxpayers.
Description of activities for students: Internships, externships and career positions are offered, though specific availablity varies from year to year and office to office.
Positions considered: Law Student Volunteers (Fall, Spring or Summer), Interns (compensated, Summer only), Career Hires through our Honors Program
Will accept: 1Ls with prior relevant employment experience or related undergraduate education, 2Ls, 3Ls and LLMs
Provide: Resume, Transcript, Writing Sample.
Prefer applications to be submitted: For volunteer positions, at the event. Intern and career placement applicants need to complete application materials online at http://jobs.irs.gov/office-chief-counsel.html.
Other requirements: Must be a U.S. citizen and pass security screening.
Contact Information:
Gordon P. Sanz
8701 S. Gessner, Suite 710,
Houston, TX, 77074
Gordon.P.Sanz@irscounsel.treas.gov
281-721-7372
Kids In Need of Defense (KIND)
Organization description: Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a national non-profit organization that helps provide pro bono legal counsel to refugee and immigrant children who come to the U.S. without a parent or legal guardian. KIND was founded by the Microsoft Corporation and actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie to help protect the rights of children in immigration proceedings. KIND’s Houston office is looking for legal interns to assist us in providing pro bono legal representation to unaccompanied children within the immigration system.
Description of activities for students: Assist KIND Supervising Attorney, KIND Staff Attorney, and KIND pro bono attorneys with case research and applications to be filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Houston Immigration Court, or state civil/family court, including drafting briefs, memos, affidavits, or other materials as needed. Assist at intake interviews with clients, including interpreting telephone calls and translating documents for pro bono attorneys. Conduct follow-up interviews and phone calls with clients, adult sponsors, and other agencies. Contact adult sponsors, social workers, government agencies, and relatives or other agencies from the child’s home country to prepare case files. Assist with obtaining case status updates from pro bono attorneys, technical legal assistance, and assist with trainings at law firms, including developing mentoring and training materials and/or presentations.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, LLM
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, Writing Sample
Other requirements: Fluent or advanced in the Spanish language required. Able to use your own laptop during the internship.
Prefer applications to be submitted: Either before or at the event
Contact Information:
Victoria Mora
712 Main St., Suite 2700, Houston, Texas 77002
vmora@supportkind.org
713-228-0734
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Lone Star Legal Aid (Galveston)
Organization description: Lone Star Legal Aid is a non-profit law firm that provides free legal assistance to low income individuals.
Description of activities for students: Assist in all aspects of the program, including attending court hearings, preparing legal documents, researching legal issues, interaction with clients, as well as outreach opportunities.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Minimum hours: 10
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L
Provide: Resume
Other Requirements: Must be able to work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment. Spanish speaker a plus but not required.
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Duana Loechel
2200 Market St. #301, Galveston, TX 77550
dboswell-loechel@lonestarlegal.org
409-763-0381 x 1328
Lone Star Legal Aid - Housing and Consumer Units (Houston)
Organization description: Lone Star Legal Aid is the fourth largest service provider of free legal aid in the United States, serving 72 counties in Texas and 4 counties in Arkansas. We handle cases in the following areas: family law, public education, juvenile issues, healthcare, public benefits, welfare and income assistance, housing for renters (includes subsidized and non-subsidized housing), housing for homeowners (includes foreclosure issues), consumer law, bankruptcy, income taxes, probate, title disputes, neighborhood problems, civil rights abuses, discrimination against the disabled and the elderly, veterans’ issues, human trafficking, and certain immigration issues.
Description of activities for students: We are hiring unpaid summer interns for our 13 offices with preference given to applicants interested in working in Houston and who are interested in and have experience working on housing, consumer law, bankruptcy, income tax issues, and veterans’ issues. We are happy to assist interns with obtaining school credit and fellowships. Interns gain real-world experience interacting with client. Responsibilities include conducting client intakes, maintaining positive client relations, arranging for and conducting outreaches and community education, legal research, drafting legal pleadings and documents to be filed with real property records, negotiating settlement agreements with adverse parties, shadowing attorneys at court hearings and trials, and possibly representing clients in eviction cases, debt collection cases, or administrative proceedings.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, LLM
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume
Other requirements: Applicants must have prior public interest work experience or volunteer experience. Applicants must be comfortable working with people who are elderly, disabled, survivors of domestic/family violence, and survivors of human trafficking. Applicants must indicate the location(s) and area(s) of law in which they would like to work.
Prefer applications to be submitted: Eiether before or at the event
Contact Information:
Elizabeth Lockett
Lone Star Legal Aid, 1415 Fannin St., 3rd Floor, Houston, Texas 77002
elockett@lonestarlegal.org
713-652-0077 x1293
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Montgomery County District Attorney's Office
Organization description: The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office is responsible for the effective and efficient prosecution of felony and misdemeanor offenses committed in Montgomery County. Felonies offenses are punishable by death or confinement in prison or the State Jail. Felonies include murder, robbery, sexual assault, burglary, and some major drug and theft offenses. Misdemeanor offenses are generally less serious and are punishable by up to a year in the county jail. Misdemeanor offenses include driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana, burglary of a motor vehicle and simple assaults. The District Attorney's Office also prosecutes traffic and other Class C offenses in the local Justice of the Peace Courts.
Description of activities for students: Students will have the opportunity to work with attorneys in the prosecution of cases from the intake stage to trial. Activities include researching, drafting of motions and subpoenas, trial preparation, case evaluation and victim contact.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Minimum hours: 8/wk during the academic year; 12/wk during the summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L
Provide: Resume
Contact Information:
Tiana Sanford
307 W. Phillips Street, Suite 200, Conroe, TX 77301
tianasanford@mctx.org
936-538-3598
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Montgomery County Women's Center
Organization description: A non profit organization providing services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, including shelter, counseling, outreach, advocacy, and legal services, all at no cost to our clients.
Description of activities for students: Students will be exposed to direct legal representation of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, through protective orders, divorces, and suits affecting parent-child relationship. Students, based upon experience and 1L, 2L, 3L status, after orientation and mentoring, will be asked to do client intakes, draft documents, assist in trial preparation, and observe court proceeding, in addition to trips to the courthouse for research and filing of documents.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L
Provide: Resume, Writing Sample
Other Requirements: While Spanish language is not a requirement, we have a large Hispanic client base, and it is absolutely a plus.
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Karmel Willis
1401 Airport Rd., Conroe, TX 77301
936-441-4044
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston - Legal, Policy, & Compliance Department *Please note that the MFA will not be attending the Table Talk, but will accept applications via email.
Organization description: The Museum of Fine Arts is dedicated to serving all people by pursuing excellence in art through collection, exhibition, and education. Founded in 1900, the institution is one of the oldest art museums in Texas. Since its inception, the museum has sought to encourage public interest in the fine arts. Annual attendance ranks among the top ten art museums in the country. The museum has a strong commitment to public service and programming that provides the visitor opportunities to enjoy and appreciate art.
Description of activities for students: The internship program models itself as a “law-firm lab” where students gain valuable real world working experience. Students are exposed to several different areas of legal practice that impact the museum daily, such as tax law, non-profit law, trusts and estates, intellectual property, and contracts. Students are assigned individual and group projects throughout the semester and take them on as if they were first year associates. All projects are conducted under the supervision of an attorney and are intended to be an educational experience.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Minimum hours: The fall and spring programs are a 12-week commitment. Students should be able to work a minimum of 10 hours per week, allowing each work day to consist of at least 3 hours. For the summer session, the museum will consider a six week program. Students in the summer session should expect to work full time during those six weeks.
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L
Provide: Cover letter, Resume
Other Requirements: Please include anticipated schedule/availability in your cover letter
Prefer applications to be sumitted: At any time, although preferrably after the event via email
Contact Information:
Carlotta Ramirez
5100 Montrose, Houston, TX 77006
cramirez@mfah.org
713-639-7836
Office of the Attorney General, Child Support Division
Organization description: As the official child support enforcement agency for the State of Texas, the Office of the Attorney General provides services for parents who wish to obtain or provide support for their children. The Child Support Division determines, on a case-by-case basis, which of the child support services listed below are appropriate: locating the absent parent, establishing paternity, establishing and enforcing child support orders, establishing and enforcing medical support orders, eeviewing and adjusting child support payments, and/or eollecting and distributing child support payments. The Office of the Attorney General provides parents with a full range of child support services at no cost. The services are required by federal law and funded by the federal government and the State of Texas.
Description of activities for students: Provides assistance to the legal division. May attend and assist in court and review and manage cases. Helps draft legal documents for filing and assists in maintenance of court dockets. Uses computer to access the child support system to track and update cases. Assists the legal supervisor and attorneys with legal research and may handle discovery issues.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 2L, 3L
Provide: Separate Application
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division
Organization description: Attorney General Greg Abbott is the lawyer for the State of Texas and is charged by the Texas Constitution to defend the laws and the Constitution of the State of Texas, represent the State in litigation, and approve public bond issues. To fulfill these responsibilities, the Office of the Attorney General serves as legal counsel to all boards and agencies of state government, issues legal opinions when requested by the Governor, heads of state agencies and other officials and agencies as provided by Texas statutes, sits as an ex-officio member of state committees and commissions, and defends challenges to state laws and suits against both state agencies and individual employees of the State.
Description of activities for students: The OAG strives to introduce law students to the rewarding and diverse legal work of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) of Texas. While our positions are all unpaid, many law schools offer fellowships or stipends to their students who do internships with government entities. There are also for-credit opportunities. Law clerks work under the direct supervision of an Assistant Attorney General.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, FLLM
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, Transcript, Writing Sample
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Social Security Administration Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Organization Description: Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR)
Description of activities for students: Students interested in pursuing a career in administrative law are particularly well-suited to the ODAR hearing office environment. Normally, work assignments will be made with one or more senior attorney adjudicators. Opportunities to observe administrative law judge (ALJ) hearings will be provided as well. Our Staff Attorneys and Administrative Law Judges work nationwide to provide the public with a timely and judicious appeal for Social Security benefits.
All of our attorneys are in good standing with their State (or equivalent) Bar Association. While our entry-level Attorneys begin with admittance to the Bar, our Administrative Law Judges conduct impartial de novo hearings and issue decisions to claimants who have appealed previous SSA determinations made by the State agency. ALJ's are hired from a register of qualified candidates established by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. You may visit the SSA website for more information: www.socialsecurity.gov/careers/legalcareers.
Positions considered: Fall, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L
Provide: Resume
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Tahnee Koch
4015 Aldine Bender Rd.
Tahnee.Koch@ssa.gov
877-850-7829
Somali Bantu Community of Greater Houston
Organization description: The Somali Bantu Community of Greater Houston is dedicated to the education and acclimation of the Somali refugees and other immigrants into the American society.
Description of activities for students: The organization is where one can learn and find their place in immigration law.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, FLLM
Provide: Resume
Other Requirements: Motivated. Willing to start new immigration programs and ideas.
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Denise Bent-Sanker
6440 Hillcroft, Suite 304, Houston, TX 77081
denise@sbcgh.org
713-995-1070
South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR)
Organization description: The South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR) was created in 1989 by the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas and the American Immigration Lawyers Assocation, as a national effort to provide pro bono legal services to immigrants and asylum-seekers detained in South Texas by the Department of Homeland Security. The project recruits, trains and coordinates the activities of volunteer attorneys, law students and legal assistants. Each year in South Texas, the Department of Homeland Security detains thousands of men, women and children for immigration violations. Many of these individuals are eligible for protection under U.S. law, but due to their circumstances, language barriers and the complexity of U.S. immigration law and procedure, face insurmountable obstacles to proving their claims for that protection before an immigration judge or asylum officer. ProBAR provides the means for the legal community to assist these
vulnerable persons.
Description of activities for students: Student interns with ProBAR will have the opportunity to visit the detention facilities in the South Texas area, attend legal rights presentations conducted by ProBAR staff at those facilities, assist with conducting legal intakes (screenings) with adult and/or child detainees, represent ProBAR clients at hearings in immigration court, draft court filings, complete immigration applications and gather evidentiary support for those applications, and conduct legal research.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, FLLM
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, Writing Sample
Other requirements: Preference is given to those students who speak Spanish and/or those with practical experience in immigration law. Applications by students wishing to split their summers will be considered, but preference is given to those who can commit to a total of 10 weeks with ProBAR. The 10 weeks do not have to be consecutive (for example, if the student needs a week off for a personal commitment, that is not a problem).
Students who intern with ProBAR's Children's Project will need to bring their own laptops. Work space at the Children's Project is limited so students may not have their own desks, but can share workspace or work out of the office conference room.
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Meredith Linsky, ProBAR Director
301 E. Madison Ave., Harlingen, Texas 78550
probar@sbcglobal.net
956-425-9231
State Bar of Texas, Houston Regional Office
Organization description: We are the fifth largest organization of lawyers in the United States. The State Bar Act, adopted by the Legislature in 1939, mandates that all attorneys licensed to practice law in Texas be members of the State Bar. The mission of the State Bar of Texas is to: (1) Assure all citizens equal access to justice; (2) Foster high standards of ethical conduct for lawyers; (3) Help attorneys better serve their clients; (4) Educate the public about the rule of law; (5) Promote diversity in the practice of law.
Houston Regional Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel: The Houston Regional Office is comprised of seven attorneys, several investigators, an office manager and various legal support staff. Our office investigates grievances filed against attorneys in the greater Houston (Harris County) area and several surrounding counties. Our trial attorneys practice civil litigation when an investigation reveals that an attorney has violated the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.
Description of activities for students: Students will gain experience in investigation, trial preparation, motions and memo drafting. Students will also have the opportunity to become familiar with the Texas Commission for Layer Discipline, Texas Board of Disciplinary Advocates, and Texas Grievance Panels.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Minimum hours: 15/wk
Will accept: 2L, 3L
Provide: Resume, Transcript, Writing Sample
Other Requirements: Student Bar Card preferable
Contact Information
Jai Collier
600 Jefferson St. Ste. 1000, Houston, Texas 77002
jai.collier@texasbar.com
713-758-8216
State Counsel for Offenders, Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Organization description: SCFO is the division of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, which provides legal representation to indigent offenders in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Description of activities for students: Summer Interns will have the opportunity to conduct legal research and writing, while observing the activities of the attorneys and other legal staff in all sections of the division.
Positions considered: Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L
Provide: Resume
Prefer applications to be submitted: Before the event
Contact Information:
Rudolph Brothers, Jr.
2503 Lake Road, Huntsville, TX 77342
rudolph.brothers@tdcj.state.tx.us
936-437-5203
Organization description: The Tahirih Justice Center works to protect immigrant women and girls seeking justice in the United States from gender-based violence. We empower our clients to achieve justice and equality through holistic direct legal services and national public policy advocacy.
Description of activities for students: Interns with the Immigration Law department interview clients, fill out and file immigration documents, assist clients in administrative proceedings; research and draft briefs and other documents, research country conditions, otherwise support the immigration attorney with pending cases, and conduct outreach for the community and clients. Internships are unpaid, but many interns receive school credit for work completed at Tahirih.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Minimum hours: 20 hrs/wk
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L
Provide: Resume, Writing Sample
Other Requirements: Applicants should have excellent research, writing and analytical skills, and a commitment to public interest law. Language skills are highly desired, particularly Spanish and French. 3 references required.
Contact Information:
Samantha Del Bosque
1717 St. James Place, Suite 320, Houston, TX 77056
samantha@tahirih.org
713-496-0100
Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts (TALA)
Organization description: Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts (TALA) was formed in 1979 to meet the legal and accounting needs of artists and nonprofit organizations. TALA volunteers throughout Texas handle more than 400 matters per year.
TALA provides free legal and accounting services to arts nonprofits and artists from all creative disciplines, including visual artists, musicians, actors, dancers, film makers and writers. Over 600 attorneys and accountants donate their time to artists and nonprofit organizations who are unable to afford professional services. Without TALA, their problems would remain unresolved and their interests unrepresented.
Our services include lawyer and accountant pro bono assistance, dispute resolution services, educational programs for the artistic and business community, publications, and a resource library. Programs are designed to help artists apply legal and accounting concepts for their benefit.
Description of activities for students: Assist with cases such as nonprofit incorporation and copyright registration, as well as assist with clerical matters.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Minimum hours: 20
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L
Provide: Resume
Other requirements: An interest in the art and music community. Knowledge in nonprofit and corporate law is helpful but not required.
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Erin Rodgers
1540 Sul Ross, Houston, TX 77006
info@talarts.org
713-526-4876
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Organization description: The Texas Innocence Network (“TIN”) serves prisoners who are wrongly-convicted or sentenced to death. Its Non-Capital Division investigates claims of actual innocence made by incarcerated inmates whose direct appeals have been finalized. Once such evidence has been located and verified, TIN provides wrongfully convicted inmates with post-conviction legal assitance.
TIN's Capital Division provides investigative and legal assistance to Texas inmates who have been sentenced to death.
Description of activities for students: In the Non-Capital Division, students investigate claims of actual innocence made by incarcerated inmates whose direct appeals have been finalized. Once such evidence has been located and verified, students research and draft legal documents such as habeas writs, clemency petitions, and Chapter 64 motions.
In the Capital Division, students research and investigate death row inmates' legal claims. These claims relate either to the inmate's guilt/innocence phase or to the the inmate's punishment phase.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, FLLM
Provide: Resume, Writing Sample
Prefer Applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Cassandra Jeu
100 Law Center, Houston TX 77204-6060
ccjeu@central.uh.edu
713-743-8592
Organization description: ILRU is a program of TIRR Memorial Hermann that promotes independent living for people with disabilities. ILRU runs the Southwest ADA Center, which provides technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other disability civil rights laws to the public.
Description of activities for students: Policy analysis, grantwriting, legal research
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, FLLM
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume
Other requirements: An interest in disability issues. Personal experience with disability issues preferred
Prefer applications to be sumbitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Vinh Nguyen
2323 S. Shepherd Dr. #1000, Houston, TX 77019
vinhn@ilru.org
713-520-0232
U.S. Attorney's Office - Southern District of Texas
Organization description: The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas is the principal federal prosecution authority for the South Texas area with offices in Houston (headquarters), Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Laredo, and McAllen. The Criminal Division prosecutes all federal crimes in our jurisdiction including narcotics trafficking, white-collar crime, national security, public corruption, asset forfeiture, financial litigation, organized crime, immigration violations, violent crimes, and other criminal offenses. The Civil Division is charged with defending agencies of the United States, enforcing regulatory agency authority, and recovering funds from violators of U.S. criminal, regulatory, and civil laws. The Appellate Division is responsible for supervising the office’s appeals with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Description of activities for students: Legal interns have the opportunity to research legal issues, draft pleadings/ memoranda, assist with discovery, trial preparation, jury instructions, and appellate briefs. Interns may observe hearings and trials. Interns may observe and participate in witness preparation sessions, defendant debriefings, meetings with defense counsel, and meetings with agents from several federal agencies. The summer program includes trips to several federal agencies.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, Transcript, Writing Sample
Prefer applications to be submitted: Before the event
Other requirements: Must be a U.S. citizen and will be subjected to a background investigation due to the sensitive nature of the work performed by the office. School credit possible at the discretion of the law school. Deadline for summer applications is February 1st (see website).
Other comments: Interns should also review the website located at:
www.justice. gov/usao/txs/1Employment/Intern.html
Contact Information:
Michael Wright
1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 2300, Houston, TX 77002
interns.usatxs@usdoj.gov
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
Organization description: In-house legal counsel for southern area of U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Description of activities for students: Legal research and legal document and brief preparation and writing
Positions Considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, Transcript, Writing Sample
Other requirements: Must pass a background investigation
Prefer applications submitted: Either before or at the event
Contact Information:
Yvette V. Rodriguez
2323 S. Shepherd Drive, Suite 1246, Houston, Texas 77019
yvette.v.rodriguez@cbp.dhs.gov
713-387-7260
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Organization description: The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a federal agency whose Houston Office is located at 1301 Fannin, Suite 2200 in downtown Houston. The Legal Division assists program staff in achieving HUD's mission of assuring decent and affordable housing, enabling all Americans to achieve homeownership, providing resources for communities to build strong neighborhoods, preventing homelessness, and enforcing fair housing laws. Staff attorneys provide legal opinions, advice and services with respect to a variety of departmental programs and activities.
Description of activities for students: Students will work directly with attorneys and program staff to complete multifamily apartment closings, sales transactions, conflict of interest determinations, or resolve management or enforcement issues, and other tasks as needed. They will receive some initial training through webcasts but will actively work with staff attorneys to participate in current work assignments, meetings, closings, hearings, training courses, etc. in the Legal Division. Three research and writing assignments are usually requested on currently pending issues. Students can select work assignments in program areas in which they have a direct interest. Contracts, property, UCC, or other real estate- related courses are very helpful but not required.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 2L, 3L, FLLM
Provide: Resume, Transcript, Writing Sample
Prefer applciations to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Gloria Aldridge, Associate Regional Counsel
Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
1301 Fannin St., Suite 2200
Houston, Texas 77002
gloria.m.aldridge@hud.gov
713-718-3126
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U.S. Department of State (DOS)
Organization description: As the lead U.S. foreign affairs agency, the U.S. Department of State has over 265 diplomatic locations around the world, including embassies, consulates, and missions to international organizations. The Department also maintains diplomatic relations with most countries in the world, as well as with many international organizations.
The primary goal of the Secretary of State and the U.S. Department of State is to shape a freer, more secure, and more prosperous world through formulating and implementing the President's foreign policy, while supporting and protecting American interests abroad. The Department is responsible for promoting peace and stability in areas of vital interest to America, and helping developing nations establish stable economic environments. It is a source of support for American businesses abroad, working to achieve fair business practices in commerce, trade, manufacturing and other interests—while also identifying viable opportunities for American businesses.
The U.S. Department of State also provides information and services for U.S. citizens travelling abroad, including issuing passports. And, it also issues visas to foreigners wishing to visit the United States.
Description of activities for students: U.S. Department of State employees, with their skills, character and commitment to public service, are the backbone of America's diplomacy. They represent the American people, advocate U.S. interests to the rest of the world and are America's first line of defense in a complex and often dangerous world.
While the Department’s Foreign Service employees travel far and frequently, approximately every two to four years, Civil Service employees remain stateside. Primarily serving in Washington, D.C., they are involved in every area of the Department - from human rights to narcotics control to trade to environmental issues. Some are the domestic counterparts to consular officers abroad, issuing passports and assisting U.S. citizens overseas.
Foreign Service National employees are citizens of the countries in which the Department maintains diplomatic posts and consulates. They are valued members of embassy teams, provide continuity for the transient American staff and have language and cultural expertise.
For students interested in practicing law in the Office of the Legal Advisor for the Department, more information can be found here: http://www.state.gov/s/l/3190.htm.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, FLLM
Other requirements: All applications are processed online through the websites: careers.state.gov or USAJobs.
Other Comments: UH Diplomat in Residence (DIR) position is responsible for Southeast Texas and Louisiana. The DIR office is generally open to students, alum or others interested in DOS and Foreign Service careers Monday-Friday from 10am to 6pm by appointment or walk-in.
Contact Information:
Donna M. Blair, Diplomat in Residence
413 PGH Hall
dmblair@uh.edu
713-743-3893
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Chief Counsel
Organization description: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Chief Counsel (OCC), Houston, Texas. Attorneys in the OCC represent the United States in immigration proceedings before the Immigration Court and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Attorneys also provide legal support to its clients within the Department of Homeland Security.
Description of activities for students: Law student interns will have the opportunity to work with approximately 20 attorneys. Interns may be tasked with legal research utilizing Westlaw; the drafting of legal memoranda, briefs, or responses to motions for submission to the Immigration Court or the Board of Immigration Appeals; the review of case files and research of case-specific facts; the preparation of exhibits for submission to court; observation of court proceedings; some interns may have an opportunity to litigate a case before the Immigration Court under the supervision of an experienced attorney; interns may also be exposed to the operations of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) during the course of the internship.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, LLM
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, Writing Sample
Other requirements: Interns are required to work 240 hours. Summer Law Interns generally work six 40-hour weeks. Scheduling for Spring and Fall Interns is determined individually based on student availability and office needs.
Applications Submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Vicki Lemon
Office of Chief Counsel, 126 Northpoint Dr., Rm. 2020, Houston, TX 77060
vicki.lemon@ice.dhs.gov
281-931-2043
U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps
Organization description: The United States Navy JAG Corps is an organizaiton of over 800 attorneys based throughout the world, both ashore and at sea, who practice law (prosecution/defense, operational, environmental, and administrative law), support the Navy, and serve our nation. As commissioned naval officers, we are the uniformed lawyers of the U.S. Navy.
Description of activities for students: The Navy JAG Corps offers permanent positions to students (2Ls and 3Ls), as well as internship opportunities in locations across the United States. Externships are available at some locations.
Positions considered: Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L
Other comments: See www.jag.navy.mil for more information
University of Houston System Office of General Counsel
Description of activities for students: Legal research and writing related to a wide variety of legal services offered by the Office of the General Counsel to the University of Houston System and its component institutions (UH, UHD, UHV, UHCL), including, but not limited to, civil litigation (including the drafting of cou rt pleadings, as well as possibly attending depositions, court hearings and other litigation related proceedings), contracts and conveyances, student/faculty/staff matters, intellectual property, employment law (including, but not limited to, grievances, charges and lawsuits asserting claims of discrimination, due process, equal protection and other constitutional claims, including free speech, freedom of religion, etc.), real estate transactions, acquisitions, gifts and other matters related to higher education law and/or applicable to institutions of higher education.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L
Provide: Resume, Writing Sample
Prefer applications to be submitted: At the event
Contact Information:
Dona H. Cornell, General Counsel
311 E. Cullen Bldg., Houston, TX 77204
dhcornell@uh.edu
713-743-0949
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Organization description: Non-profit organization dedicated to providing holistic services to our refugee and immigrant populations.
Description of activities for students: Students will be working in the Immigration Legal Department of YMCA International Services. Our focus is primarily on family-based and humanitarian immigration. Thus, students will most likely be working on asylum cases and cases involving victims of crime of human trafficking. This will require students to conduct legal research on country conditions and case law, as well as assist in the preparation of such applications for submission to court or to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service.
Positions considered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Will accept: 1L, 2L, 3L, FLLM
Provide: Cover Letter, Resume, Writing Sample
Prefer applications to be submitted: Either before or at the event
Contact Information:
Brian Schaeffer
6300 Westpark Dr., Suite 600, Houston, TX 77057
brian.schaeffer@ymcahouston.org
713-339-9015