Internship Opportunities

Founded as the first law center in the nation dedicated solely to serving the legal needs of sexual assault victims, Victim Rights Law Center’s (VRLC) mission is to ensure that every sexual assault victim has an attorney and access to the most effective legal remedies available. VRLC accepts applications for legal intern positions on a rolling basis. Please note that we generally do not accept undergraduate or non-legal interns.

Responsibilities are based on interest and experience, and may include work in the areas of client services, research, and special projects.

Internship Description

VRLC provides:

  • Free legal services to rape and sexual assault survivors in Massachusetts and Oregon in the areas of their lives that have been impacted by the assault; including privacy, safety, housing, employment, immigration, education, and finances.
  • Training for lawyers and advocates nationwide on how to represent and advocate for victims
    in the legal areas above.

Interns work in a variety of areas, depending on their interest and experience, including:

  • Client Services
    Interns may observe legal intakes; assist staff attorneys on current cases; draft motions, oppositions and legal memos; and observe court and administrative proceedings. Interns may also participate in weekly meetings at which the direct services team discusses recent intakes and current legal issues in active cases.
  • Research
    Because sexual assault law is rapidly developing, conducting continual research on how to use existing law creatively to access remedies for our clients is vital to our services. We welcome interns interested in researching the cutting-edge legal issues that survivors face in the aftermath of a sexual assault.
  • Special Projects
    VRLC is involved with various ongoing discreet projects on which interns could work, including Spanish translation or interpretation, initiatives focused on representing victims of sexual assault in marginalized communities, creating population-specific outreach and digital materials, research in support of policy level work, and more.

Although we do not require students to have experience working with sexual assault victims, preference will be given to students who have experience working with marginalized communities. Fluency in Spanish is also preferred, but not required.

The VRLC deeply values diverse voices and perspectives on our team. People of color, LGBTQI+
individuals, survivors, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

If you are interested in internship opportunities at the VRLC, please send your cover letter,
resume, references, and a short writing sample to our Massachusetts Team or our Oregon Team. VRLC accepts applications on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

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