Pro Bono - ABA UNPAID Intern

The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.

The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security. The ABA's wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI. Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

The American Bar Association ("ABA") has an opportunity for an unpaid intern to gain valuable experience while contributing to the important work of the ABA. The details of the unpaid internship opportunity are as follows:

ABA Department/Section/Entity: ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service

Work Location: Remote/telework (U.S. locations only).

Duration of Internship: sixteen (16) weeks If your academic institution or relevant program requires a different duration, please make note of such requirement in your cover letter and provide any supporting documentation for the ABA to consider.

Hours per week: 20 hours per week. If your academic institution or relevant program requires a different hourly requirement, please make note of such requirement in your cover letter and provide any supporting documentation for the ABA to consider.

Unpaid: This is an unpaid internship. Participation in the internship is not an offer of employment, and successful completion of the internship program does not entitle the selected intern to an employment offer from the ABA. The internship is tied to the intern's current educational program. The intern is receiving academic credit and/or pro bono credit for participating in the internship program from their academic institution.

Description of Internship Opportunity:

The American Bar Association is looking for an Intern to join our team. Our company is working on exciting new developments and will offer educational experience. The educational internship, while being unpaid, provides invaluable education. The internship is similar to training that would be given in an educational environment. You'll gain valuable resume experience and the necessary knowledge and skills to perform professionally. The intern will observe, gain exposure to various resources, and participate in ongoing training.

Our intern will be part of our insert Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service. The intern will be responsible for conducting research related to pro bono services and programs. The intern will be responsible for researching pro bono rules and programs in various jurisdictions to update and expand the Center's resources. The intern will also assist with research and data review for ABA Free Legal Answers, law school pro bono efforts, and statewide policy trends related to pro bono. Lastly, the intern will be responsible for assisting with the 2025 National Celebration of Pro Bono, including tracking events in various states throughout the country, researching topics related to the National Celebration, and assisting with outreach to various programs. The intern will have the opportunity to conduct outreach to programs and attorneys in various jurisdictions. Ultimately, the intern will receive enriching educational experience learning about public interest laws and policies in various jurisdictions, conducting research and writing, and developing resources.

Eligibility: Candidates must be 18 years old or older and:

• currently enrolled in (or in a deferred enrollment/gap year status recognized by) a post-secondary academic institution (i.e. undergraduate, graduate) and in a program/area of study directly related to the purpose of the internship program; or

• a recent (i.e. up to one (1) year) graduate of a post-secondary academic institution (i.e. undergraduate, graduate) with a degree in a program/area of study directly related to the purpose of the internship program.

Relevant Program/Area of Study:

• Law/ public interest law

How to Submit Interest in Unpaid Internship: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to abaprobono@americanbar.org no later 5:00 pm CST on 3/28/2025.

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