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Law Student Internships

LAW STUDENT JOB DESCRIPTION

  Contact:        Amy Messer, Legal Director
  Type of Employer:                  PUBLIC INTEREST/Disability Rights Advocates/Health
  Salary:          Work-Study

         The Disabilities Rights Center, Inc. (DRC) is a private non-profit organization providing legal services to eligible individuals with disabilities. DRC has an active litigation docket in Federal and State Courts, and has been involved in many cases having a significant impact on the rights of persons with disabilities. DRC's 12 attorneys handle both individual representation and class action cases. DRC handles cases such as those involving special education issues, Medicaid, eligibility and deliver of services for individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities, housing discrimination, employment discrimination, and abuse and neglect of individuals with disabilities.

         The DRC also provides legislative and administrative rule-making advocacy; information about, and referral to, other agencies, organizations, and individuals that provide services to persons with disabilities; and training on legal issues. DRC is funded largely through federal grants designed to ensure protection and advocacy for individuals with disabilities. The DRC is also funded through attorney fees and private donations. 
        
         Law students may be assigned to the intake team or to one or more staff attorneys.  The intake team consists of one intake coordinator and three attorneys.  The intake team works with individuals who are requesting DRC assistance to determine any legal issues they may have, provide information and referral, engage in advocacy, and/or refer the case for further litigation with a staff attorney. Depending on the nature of the issue, the intake team may review records, interview potential clients and witnesses, and do any necessary legal research. The intake team handles cases that require only information and referral or that can be resolved relatively quickly. Cases that will likely require litigation are assigned to a staff attorney. Whether working for the intake team or a staff attorney, the student's responsibilities generally involve         some or all of the following: legal research and writing, interviewing clients, assisting in trial preparation, and investigation, and attending Court or Administrative hearings when possible.