Job Opportunities API

Organization Overview: Colorado Legal Services (CLS) is Colorado’s statewide nonprofit legal aid program, with twelve offices providing civil legal  assistance  to low-income Coloradans throughout the state. CLS provides free legal  assistance  in a broad variety of legal areas, including family law, public benefits, eviction defense, consumer protection, services to survivors of serious crime and human trafficking, and many others. CLS has strengthened lives,  assisted  families, and supported communities–one person at a time for over 100 years. We are committed to providing high-quality, free legal advice and representation to eligible individuals throughout Colorado. We have a long history of successful impact and advocacy. CLS strives to bring about substantive, transformational  change in the lives of those we serve, We value representation. At CLS, we value and respect our staff's wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We ensure representation of our client communities in our staff, Board of  Directors  and leadership teams. We also envision a fair,  just,  trusted, and harm reductionist legal system which emphasizes access to and implementation of true justice for every Coloradan. Position Summary: The Alamosa office of Colorado Legal Services provides client-centered and trauma-informed advice and  representation  to low-income people in a variety of legal areas  impacting  basic personal needs in a resource-disadvantaged community. These areas include housing, consumer, family, and public  benefits  law. The Alamosa office of Colorado Legal Services proudly serves the six counties of the San Luis Valley, providing  excellent legal  assistance , advice, and in-court representation to the most vulnerable people of this proud community. S tudent interns in the CLS Alamosa office begin working with clients on the very first day and can expect to feel essential to our office staff. Individual duties will be assigned based on experience level, but all interns work together with the CLS Alamosa team to complete applicant interviews, research case histories, draft pleadings, and  help staff prepare for   hearings before courts or administrative agencies. Interns in the Alamosa office will have the unique opportunity to get hands-on exposure in a wide   variety of civil practice areas in the San Luis Valley. In addition to client-centered experiences, CLS Alamosa interns  participate  in community outreach activities to learn more about the needs of our clients against the backdrop of day-to-day life as part of our income-eligible community. Essential Duties: • D raft letters and simple motions for review • A ssist  with hearing preparation, memos, legal research, client communication, and case management • Participate in and conduct client interviews and  assist  the staff with  identifying  legal issues in our clients’ cases • If  appropriate , advocate in court under the Law Student Practice requirements Required Qualifications: • S trong commitment to legal issues affecting  low-income individuals • S trong interest in research,  writing  and interviewing • Candidate should be confident and able to work both independently and as part of a team Preferred Qualifications: • Spanish-speaking ability Location: This position is housed in the  Alamosa  office. Time commitment: Part -time , minimum of 10 hours per week preferred. Compensation: The position is unpaid but is open to receiving other work study funds that are  student generated . Students may apply for course credit through their Externship Program. How to Apply : Please  submit  your resume and cover letter via the “Apply for This Job” link for this job opening on  our   careers page .  We will not be reviewing applications sent via e-mail or physical mail.  If you have questions about this internship or any others at Colorado Legal Services, please contact Kirsten Hoaby, Denver Volunteer and Pro Bono Manager, at [email protected]