Workers' Rights Clinic Internship

About the Role

The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLC) Workers’ Rights Internship provides students with firsthand experience assisting DMV workers facing workplace injustice. This non-legal internship is designed for undergraduates but welcomes other students interested in the experience. The position requires a commitment of 15-30 hours/week and typically lasts 8-14 weeks. Internships are a combination of in-person and remote work.

Clinic Schedule

• Wednesdays: 4:30 PM - 9 PM (In-person at Bread for the City NW, 1525 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001)
• First and Third Fridays: 11 AM - 3 PM (Virtual)
• Second Saturdays: 9:30 AM - 2 PM (In-person at Bread for the City SE, 1700 Marion Barry Ave SE)

Intern Work Hours Availability

• Mondays: 9 AM - 5 PM (Remote)
• Tuesdays: 9 AM - 5 PM (In-office)
• Wednesdays: 9 AM - 9 PM (Including In-Person Clinics)
• Thursdays: 9 AM - 5 PM
• Fridays: 9 AM - 5 PM (In-office)
• 2nd Saturday of every month: 9:30 AM - 2 PM (at Bread for the City SE)

Key Responsibilities

• 60% Administrative Support:
• Reviewing, processing, and responding to inquiries from workers seeking legal advice and brief services.
• Managing client records and updating the client database.
• Fielding phone calls from workers.
• Scheduling workers for intakes via phone calls, email, and form responses.
• Conducting legal intakes with workers.
• Drafting demand letters and other documents for workers.
• 30% Supporting the Workers’ Rights Advocate During Clinic Hours:
• Transferring phone calls to connect intake volunteers with workers.
• Answering general intake volunteer questions.
• Conducting legal intakes with workers.
• Corresponding with workers receiving legal advice and brief services.
• 10% Other Assignments:
• Conducting research on relevant issues and/or employers.
• Creating Know Your Rights materials.
• Community outreach with the workers’ rights advocate.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Commitment to social and racial justice reform.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
• Ability to staff a portion of at least one weekly clinic.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, take initiative, and communicate effectively regarding project status.
• Ability to maintain a high level of professionalism, including reliability and adherence to policies and standards.
• Communication in Spanish or other languages is desired, but not required.

Qualifications

• Applicants must be able to receive academic credit or outside compensation equivalent to DC’s minimum wage.

Application Instructions

• Applicants must provide a resume and cover letter.
• The cover letter should explain:
• Interest in the internship.
• Experience with and/or commitment to workers’ rights.
• Anticipated start and end dates.
• Anticipated hours per week.
• Explanation of how academic credit or outside compensation will be received.