Summer Poverty Law Internship Program - Drake University School of Law

Iowa Legal Aid

Iowa Legal Aid provides high quality legal representation in civil cases to low-income Iowans through individual representation, impact litigation, and community legal education.  Most of our cases involve domestic abuse, landlord/tenant issues, consumer protection, public benefits or individual rights.  Through our Legal Hotline for Older Iowans, we provide people aged 60 and older with legal assistance involving health care, legal planning, and a wide range of other elder law issues.

Poverty Law Internship Program – Drake University School of Law

Iowa Legal Aid expects to have two paid PLIP internships available for Drake students beginning in late May or early June.

Intern duties vary.  In our regional offices, interns will generally interview and advise new clients; prepare pleadings, affidavits, and other legal documents; assist with trial preparation; negotiate with adverse parties; and perform research projects.  Interns may also represent clients at appropriate hearings under the supervision of a licensed attorney.  At the Legal Hotline for Older Iowans, interns will interview and advise new clients, prepare legal documents, and negotiate with adverse parties.

The internships are funded by Iowa’s Lawyers Trust Account Commission and Drake’s Federal Work Study Program.  Interns will be paid $20.00/hour. Interns may work up to 100 hours before July 1. These hours will be paid directly by Iowa Legal Aid.  Internship hours from July 1 – August will be paid through work study.

Internships may be available in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Iowa City, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City or Waterloo. Preference will be given to 2L students.

Application Process

Applications are due February 19, 2022. Email a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Angela Broughton-Romain, Iowa Legal Aid, at abroughtonromain@iowalaw.org. For paid internships, applicants must be eligible for Drake’s Federal Work Study Program. Email michele.dunne@drake.edu to confirm eligibility. Your materials should indicate the specific Iowa Legal Aid office(s) where you would be interested in working. We hope to make summer internship offers prior to spring break.