Internships & Fellowships

VLP is pleased to regularly host undergraduate, graduate, and law school students for a variety of internship experiences.  Interns typically provide valuable public service by interviewing and presenting legal information to clients. VLP, though, also makes an effort to tailor opportunities and responsibilities to each intern’s respective interests, goals, and amount of time available.  Students can choose to intern twelve, sixteen, twenty, or thirty-five hours per week for one or more semesters.  Prospective interns should note that academic credit for their work at VLP is dependent upon the policies of his or her academic institution.

No matter how interns choose to become involved with VLP, they can expect their experiences here to enhance their understanding of Maine's civil legal system and of the impediments people of low income face as they attempt to resolve often overwhelming legal matters.  Interns will learn how VLP and other nonprofit legal services providers work to ameliorate such impediments, as interns themselves make valuable contributions toward this goal.

The important work performed by interns at VLP includes the following:

Legal Hotline

On VLP's hotline, interns serve as the first point of contact for potential clients, conducting intake interviews to determine callers’ eligibility and the details of their pressing legal matters.  Interns present their findings to a staff legal supervisor and learn whether and how VLP can offer assistance.  Interns then speak with callers a second time and communicate this information to them.  Interns may discuss, and schedule clients for, Family Law Helpline or Courthouse Assistance Project (both detailed below).  They may inform clients that their case will be further reviewed for possible referral for full pro bono representation.  And interns may also communicate legal information to clients on the spot, or prepare educational materials and legal forms to be mailed to the client.

Family Law Helpline

Through Helpline, law students, supervised by attorneys, speak with clients via phone, review case details, and provide advice on common family law issues including divorce, child custody, and child support.  These interns help clients understand and plan for upcoming court appointments, fill out court forms, and make important decisions about their cases.

Courthouse Assistance Project (CHAP)

Through CHAP, interns conduct in-take interviews with walk-in clients in Portland, Biddeford, Lewiston and Augusta.  Interns coordinate with attorneys on duty and may help clients fill out family law materials.

Additional Opportunities 

In addition to the functions described above, interns may also have an opportunity to attend staff case review sessions, observe court cases, attend our summer lecture series, and develop, coordinate and complete an independent project.  Past projects have included:

• Authoring an edition of VLP’s newsletter
• Conducting client surveys
• Organizing training events
• Developing web-based tools for staff and volunteer communication
• Creating and updating training manuals
• Developing client brochures
• Conducting research relevant to VLP’s mission

VLP is sometimes able to host paid interns and work-study students.  These interns have in the past secured funding through their academic institutions and outside fellowships.  On occasion, VLP is able to support interns through grant funding it’s been awarded.

If you are interested in pursuing an internship with VLP, please complete the application form, attach a resume and unoffical transcript. 

For more information, or to submit a completed application, please email VLP Volunteer Coordinator Lin Martin-Hunt at lmartin-hunt@vlp.org.  Lin may also be reached via phone at (207) 774-4518 ext. 1223.