Summer Law Student Internship Denver Family & Children Unit

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: 

Law student interns in the Family & Children Unit begin working with clients on the very first day and can expect to feel essential to our office staff. They perform a variety of duties depending on their experience level and the needs of unit at the time of the internship. These duties include client interviews and case investigation, drafting of pleadings, motions, and notices in Dissolution of Marriage, Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, or Civil Protection Order actions, legal research memoranda and briefs, direct representation at court hearings (if authorized to do so under Colorado Rule of Civil Procedure 205.7, Colorado’s Law Student Practice Act). Law student interns in the Family & Children Unit also have the opportunity to participate in weekly staff meetings and attend client meetings, court hearings, mediations, and settlement conferences for FCU cases. Interns in the Family & Children Unit have the unique opportunity to get hands-on exposure in the area of family law. In addition to client-centered experiences, Family & Children 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 

• 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 Denver office. 

Time commitment: 

Full-time 

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. 

How to Apply:   

Please submit your resume and cover letter via the “Apply for This Job” link for this job opening on our careers page. We will not be reviewing applications sent via e-mail or physical mail. If you have questions about this internship or any others at Colorado Legal Services, please contact Kirsten Hoaby, Denver Volunteer and Pro Bono Manager, at [email protected]