Fall Legal Internship — Client Advocacy (Alamosa)

Organization Overview Colorado Legal Services (CLS) is Colorado’s statewide nonprofit legal aid program, with thirteen offices providing civil legal assistance to low-income Coloradans throughout the state. CLS provides free legal assistance in a broad variety of legal areas, including family law, public benefits, eviction defense, consumer protection, services to survivors of serious crime and human trafficking, and many others. CLS has strengthened lives, assisted families, and supported communities–one person at a time for over 100 years. We are committed to providing high-quality, free legal advice and representation to eligible individuals throughout Colorado. We have a long history of successful impact and advocacy. CLS strives to bring about substantive, transformational change in the lives of those we serve. We value representation. At CLS, we value and respect our staff's wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We ensure representation of our client communities in our staff, Board of Directors and leadership teams. We also envision a fair, just, trusted, and harm reductionist legal system which emphasizes access to and implementation of true justice for every Coloradan. Position Summary The Alamosa office of Colorado Legal Services provides client-centered and trauma-informed advice and representation to low-income people in a variety of legal areas impacting basic personal needs in a resource-disadvantaged community. These areas include housing, consumer, family, and public benefits law. The Alamosa office of Colorado Legal Services proudly serves the six counties of the San Luis Valley, providing excellent legal assistance, advice, and in-court representation to the most vulnerable people of this proud community. Student interns in the CLS Alamosa office begin working with clients on the very first day and can expect to feel essential to our office staff. Individual duties will be assigned based on experience level, but all interns work together with the CLS Alamosa team to complete applicant interviews, research case histories, draft pleadings, and help staff prepare for hearings before courts or administrative agencies. Interns in the Alamosa office will have the unique opportunity to get hands-on exposure in a wide variety of civil practice areas in the San Luis Valley. In addition to client-centered experiences, CLS Alamosa interns participate in community outreach activities to learn more about the needs of our clients against the backdrop of day-to-day life as part of our income‑eligible community. Essential Duties Draft letters and simple motions for review Assist with hearing preparation, memos, legal research, client communication, and case management Participate in and conduct client interviews and assist the staff with identifying legal issues in our clients’ cases If appropriate, advocate in court under the Law Student Practice requirements Required Qualifications Strong commitment to legal issues affecting low-income individuals Strong interest in research, writing and interviewing Candidate should be confident and able to work both independently and as part of a team Preferred Qualifications Spanish-speaking ability Location This position is housed in the Alamosa office. Time commitment Part‑time, minimum of 10 hours per week preferred. Compensation The position is unpaid but is open to receiving other work study funds that are student generated. Students may apply for course credit through their Externship Program. #J-18808-Ljbffr ICES: Data, Discovery, Better Health