Internship Opportunities

Interns are an important part of our work. The Center for Justice welcomes internship applications throughout the year from undergraduates, law students, and others who are interested in working in a non-profit civil rights law firm and fulfilling our organizational mission.

About our Program

Interns at the Center for Justice work closely with staff attorneys in our focus areas of housing, utility rights of low-income consumers, wage theft, criminal justice and prisoners’ rights, education, and immigration. As new needs arise, as identified by our community partners, our practice areas may shift to better address the needs of Rhode Islanders seeking access to justice.

Consistent with the above, interns contribute to projects as determined by student interests and abilities, and Center needs, including client intake and interviewing, drafting legal documents and pleadings, research and writing, litigation discovery, communications and advocacy, and other tasks. Additionally, they participate, to the extent they are able, in discussions and projects surrounding important topics that impact the greater Providence community. Interns are encouraged to participate with Center staff in issue-based community coalitions and support the work of our community partners.

Internships are unpaid. We encourage applicants to seek external funding, we actively support interns’ applications for such funding if you notify us how we can do so, and we ask that you proactively notify us of any funding-related deadlines.

Summer Internships

Summer internships typically run for 8 weeks from the first week of June to mid-August, but we are flexible about start and end dates. Interns receive training related to our housing practice, and engage with the Center as a cohort. This is a more structured opportunity.

Qualifications

Required:

Ability to work at least 30 hours a week (summer)
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Interest in supporting and expanding racial and economic justice
Interest in public interest law and related projects
Professionalism in interactions with clients and partners

Preferred:

Proficiency in language(s) other than English, particularly Spanish and/or Portuguese
Communications, IT, and social media skills

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to internships@centerforjustice.org. Applicants outside of the below universities should note that applications will be considered on a rolling basis up to April 15th.

Roger Williams University School of Law

Roger Williams University School of Law students who wish to apply for the Public Interest Summer Stipend Program with the Center for Justice should apply directly through the Law School. Please contact Christopher Gerlica with any questions.

Roger Williams students are also encouraged to apply for externships through the Law School.

Brown University

Brown University students are encouraged to apply through iProv, SPRINT, LINK, and other summer funding.

Other Opportunities

Students interested in part-time internships during the school year can apply for a less-structured internship opportunity in the fall and spring. During the semester, we work with students to find projects that fit both Center needs and students' schedules.

Applicants should prepare a cover letter and resume. Fall internship applications open on July 15th and close on August 31st. Spring internship applications open on November 15th and close December 31st.

To apply, and for all other inquiries about internships, please contact internships@centerforjustice.org.