PLAP is hiring rising 2Ls and 3Ls to work as full-time student attorneys this summer. PLAP is one of the few large-scale law student practice organizations delivering legal services to incarcerated individuals, and has helped defend Massachusetts prisoners’ rights for over four decades.
Student attorneys represent Massachusetts state prison inmates in parole and disciplinary matters, typically working alongside PLAP’s supervising attorneys on behalf of 4-6 incarcerated clients over the course of the summer. Through this work, student attorneys have a unique opportunity to shape their own cases and practice advocacy by crafting arguments, interviewing clients, conducting discovery, and cross-examining witnesses in disciplinary hearings. Summer student attorneys also staff PLAP’s hotline and respond to incarcerated individuals’ legal research requests.
Qualified candidates will have a sincere interest in criminal justice and serving the incarcerated. Training will be held during the last weeks of May and you must be able to spend 10 weeks working for PLAP. You should be able to drive and rent a car in the United States. Past hotline experience and/or Spanish language skills are a plus.
PLAP volunteers will receive a $500 stipend in addition to any public interest funding available through other sources. As a small office, PLAP offers a casual environment and flexible hours, letting you do RA or similar work at the same time.
To apply, send a resume and cover letter stating your interest in PLAP’s work to Dennis Dillon at adillon@jd18.law.harvard.edu.
Applicants will be contacted for an interview if their application passes the screening stage. Interviews will continue until all positions are filled, but preference will be given to applications received prior to February 22, 2017.