PRO BONO
ATTORNEY
OPPORTUNITIES
DRLC is proud to partner with law firms, individual attorneys, and nonprofit organizations to accomplish our mission.
DRLC welcomes attorneys with experience in litigation, civil rights, municipal law, employment, taxes, benefits, appeals, criminal defense, family law, and trusts and estates.
To apply to work with us as a pro bono partner, please refer to the application form below.
INTERNSHIP &
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
Civil Rights Litigation Program: Summer Law Clerks
Summer law clerks primarily assist DRLC attorneys with investigation, research, and drafting in current and prospective cases in all areas of disability discrimination.
Substantive areas of work may include access to education, transportation, public accommodation, and health care.
Summer law clerks typically are law students with some experience with issues relating to DRLC’s mission. Some familiarity with the disability rights movement is encouraged, along with a commitment to public interest law.
We welcome applications from all current law students. Individuals with disabilities and other members of historically marginalized groups are especially encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
This is a volunteer position; summer law clerks are strongly encouraged to seek grants and/or other sources of funding.
Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and list of three references to Ms. Corrigan Lewis, DRLC Senior Staff Attorney, at CLL@theDRLC.org.
Civil Rights Litigation Program: Externship
Externs in DRLC’s Civil Rights Litigation Program can expect to have the opportunity to work on class action and individual impact cases with the DRLC’s litigation team, develop legal research and writing skills, and actively participate in all phases of litigation.
Students may enroll in as low as two units per semester for the Civil Rights Litigation Program externship.
Due to the structure of the externship, students will collaborate with DRLC’s leadership and litigation team to schedule their in-office hours to fulfill their requirements.
To apply for the Civil Rights Litigation Program externship, please complete the application form below.
Cancer Legal Resource Center: Summer Law Clerk
Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC) summer law clerks gain hands-on experience assisting people diagnosed with cancer, as well as their families, friends, and others affected by cancer. Under the supervision of CLRC attorneys and staff, CLRC summer law clerks may conduct legal research, update educational materials, assist the public over the phone or by email, assess intakes, and convey information and resources on cancer-related legal issues.
The CLRC summer law clerk program is a full-time volunteer program with a minimum commitment of eight to 10 weeks. For more information about this program, please email CLRC@theDRLC.org, or click here to review the full position description.
To apply to volunteer as a law clerk for the Cancer Legal Resource Center, please click here. Please note that the application process requires a cover letter and resume.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
Cancer Legal Resource Center: Externship
The Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC) provides information, education and referrals about cancer-related legal issues to the public; conducts national education and outreach programs for community groups, employers, and healthcare professionals; and engages in community activities to raise public awareness of cancer-related legal and public policy issues.
Students in CLRC’s externship program receive training in cancer-related legal issues, including employment, health law, estate planning, public benefits, and consumer law. In addition, all program participants gain hands-on experience assisting people affected by cancer by providing assistance via phone or email, conveying helpful information, and conducting legal research.
Externs also have the additional opportunity to participate in health fairs and community programs as schedules permit. To learn more or ask questions about the program, please email CLRC@theDRLC.org.
Students can enroll in CLRC’s externship program for as low as one (1) unit per semester for CLRC. Given the nature of this externship, students collaborate with staff to schedule their hours to fulfill their requirements.
Enrich your law school experience by joining this critical program. Click here to apply for this opportunity. Interested applicants should note that application to this program requires a cover letter and resume. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
General Volunteer Opportunities
DRLC accepts enthusiastic volunteers for all its programs and events. To assist with intakes, administration, or special events, please contact our team at DRLC@theDRLC.org.
PRO BONO ATTORNEY OPPORTUNITIES
The Pro Bono Program gives attorneys interested in disability civil rights law, special education law and other related opportunities a chance to hone their advocacy skills and to make a difference in the community.
- Disability Litigation Program. Transform communities by removing barriers that deny equal access to people with disabilities. DRLC seeks attorneys to co-counsel and to take referrals of large and small disability civil rights cases.
- Education Advocacy Program (EAP). DRLC seeks volunteer attorneys to participate in negotiating individualized Education Plans with school districts to ensure low-income and minority children receive the special education services they need. DRLC provides free MCLE training and ongoing support to EAP volunteers.
INTERNSHIP AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Summer Law Clerks (Litigation Program)
Summer law clerks will primarily assist attorneys with investigation, research, and drafting in current and prospective cases in all areas of disability discrimination. Substantive areas of work may include access to education, transportation, public accommodation, and health care. Interns may also assist in the analysis of calls received by the DRLC helpline.
We prefer to hire law students who have some experience with issues relating to our mission. Thus, some familiarity with the disability rights movement is encouraged, along with a commitment to public interest law. We welcome applications from all current law students. Individuals with disabilities and other members of historically marginalized groups are especially encouraged to apply.
This is a volunteer position; summer law clerks are strongly encouraged to seek out and apply for grants from their school and/or other sources of funding.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and list of three references to lawclerkapplications@drlcenter.org.
Civil Rights Program Externship
Students working with DRLC’s Civil Rights Program will have the opportunity to: (1) work on class action and individual impact cases with the Disability Litigation Program and Education Advocacy Programs, allowing them to develop legal research and writing skills, and actively participate in all phases of litigation; and (2) conduct intake and provide limited scope advocacy services under the Community Advocacy Program.
Students can enroll in as low as two units per semester for the Civil Rights Program. Given the nature of this externship, students schedule their own in-office hours to fulfill their requirements.
Community Advocacy Program
Volunteers for the Community Advocacy Program (CAP) gain hands-on experience assisting persons with disabilities and their advocates with disability related issues via the intake line. They also gain case management experience and may develop community outreach and education experience. The CAP Program accepts undergraduate, graduate, and law student volunteers as well as community volunteers. For more information click here.
Cancer Legal Resource Center Summer Law Clerk
Under the supervision of CLRC attorneys and staff, volunteers gain hands-on experience assisting people with cancer, cancer survivors, their families, friends, and others affected by cancer by working on our Telephone Assistance Line, interviewing CLRC callers over the phone and providing assistance and information on cancer-related legal issues. Volunteers may also have the opportunity to draft correspondence, conduct legal research, update materials and resources, and more.
Summer volunteers will be based out of our office in Los Angeles for a full-time, minimum 8 to 10-week commitment. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled and should include a cover letter and resume. If you are interested in applying to volunteer with the Cancer Legal Resource Center or have questions about how to get involved, please contact us at clrc@drlcenter.org.
Download our flier to learn more about becoming a Cancer Legal Resource Center Summer Law Clerk.
Cancer Legal Resource Center Externship/Volunteer Opportunities
Students or volunteers working with DRLC’s Cancer Legal Resource Center gain hands-on experience assisting people with cancer, cancer survivors, their families, friends and others affected by cancer, primarily by providing assistance via a national hotline. For more information, click here.
General Volunteer Opportunities
DRLC needs enthusiastic volunteers for all its programs. Please call 213-736-1479 to volunteer. If you have skills and talents in areas not listed below, just let us know!
Intake. Return phone calls regarding disability related disputes, consult with attorneys on recommendations and write letters to callers providing resources and referrals. This does not require legal knowledge or a law degree, just the ability to ask a set of questions, listen sympathetically, take notes of the caller’s issue and consult with an attorney regarding what course of action DRLC will take. This is a great opportunity to help someone in a difficult situation.
Administration. Assist with operations, financial/statistical projects, administrative work, filing documents, organizing press packets, putting together resource packets, creating address labels and data entry. DRLC also needs paralegal assistance with case files.
Special Events. DRLC also needs volunteers to assist with planning and staffing outreach events (health fairs, open houses, training events). Work for the duration of the entire event or just one part.
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