Summer Law Internship in Child Welfare, Defender Association of Philadelphia

Posted by Defender Association of Philadelphia on November 5, 2024

The Defender Association of Philadelphia offers law students a rich and exciting summer internship program from the end of May into August 2025 in our Child Advocacy Unit (CAU). This Unit provides legal representation for dependent children, from newborn to 21 years of age, in matters involving allegations of physical and sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, truancy and incorrigibility as well as in adoption proceedings. In keeping with the mandates of the Juvenile Act, while we protect and promote the legal interests of these children, we also strive to serve their best interests. A multidisciplinary team of attorneys and social workers assess the needs and welfare of each child, and then make recommendations to the Court to ensure our clients’ safety and to achieve permanency for our clients in a loving and supportive home environment.

 What You’ll Do 

Our summer program is designed for 2nd year law students with a real interest in children’s issues, child welfare system and juvenile justice. This experience offers broad exposure to the practical applications of child welfare law with two different tracks. Most of our interns will work collaboratively with supervising attorneys and social workers on specific cases. We also have an opportunity for a law student interested in child welfare policy to work with our Policy Director of Child Advocacy. Interns will participate in comprehensive training and received individualized supervision and mentoring. Interns will get direct, hands-on experience with advocacy, legal research, court observation, client interviewing, home/placement visits, crisis intervention, negotiation, and case management.

Learn more and apply.