Undergraduate Internship Opportunities - Summer 2026

Undergraduate Internship Opportunities Summer 2026

For Summer 2026, Pine Tree has four full-time undergraduate intern opportunities.  Please review the general information, specific positions, and the application instructions below.  Applicants may apply for more than one position at once, but please be sure to specify in your cover letter which position(s) you are interested in.

Undergraduate Internships at Pine Tree Legal Assistance – General Information

Pine Tree Legal Assistance (PTLA) is a statewide, non-profit organization committed to providing high quality, free, civil legal assistance to people in Maine. Pine Tree advocates to help Maine’s most vulnerable residents overcome pressing problems of everyday life – domestic and sexual violence, homelessness, economic insecurity, financial exploitation, and more. Pine Tree is committed to access to justice for all Mainers, maintaining six offices throughout the state.

Opportunities for undergraduate interns may include interviewing and presenting legal information to clients, and/or research, investigation, and assisting with development and program needs. PTLA also makes an effort to tailor responsibilities to each intern’s respective interests and goals. Interns can expect their experiences to enhance their understanding of Maine's civil legal system and of the obstacles people with low incomes face as they attempt to resolve often overwhelming legal matters.  

Interns will learn how PTLA and other nonprofit legal services providers work to overcome barriers to justice, while making valuable contributions toward this goal. Activities may include attending staff case review sessions, observing court cases, participating in trainings introducing many of our areas of practice, and participating in group projects.

Duties and Responsibilities may include:

• Work closely with paralegals to intake new clients both in court and through call center hours.
• Meet with clients and assist with preparation of necessary paperwork and the collection of relevant evidence, including gathering documents, and photographing living conditions.   
• Attend case meetings (as schedule allows) where attorneys collaboratively review cases and develop legal strategies for litigation.
• Shadow advocates at a variety of court proceedings, and possibly observe trial or law court arguments.
• Assist with community outreach programs and research related to project and grant development.
• Assist with administrative tasks (data entry, copying, filing, etc.) as assigned.

***Please note that cases handled by PTLA, particularly by our Family Law/Victims’ Rights Unit, often involve distressing subject matter including sexual assault, domestic violence, and other kinds of crises.

Requirements:
Pine Tree seeks highly motivated student interns, with a demonstrated interest in working with low-income individuals from diverse backgrounds. Interns should have strong research, writing and communication skills, and the ability to work independently and in a group.   

Pine Tree is committed to creating an inclusive environment for staff and volunteers.  We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds, including women, Black, Indigenous, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, immigrants, and people who have experienced poverty or homelessness.

The following Summer 2026 undergraduate internship opportunities are 10-week, unpaid, full-time (37.5 hours/week) positions.

Undergraduate Intern, Consumer Unit

Pine Tree Legal Assistance's statewide Consumer Law Unit, which assists clients with debt collection, bankruptcy, foreclosure, auto fraud, student loans, and other consumer issues, is seeking an undergraduate intern to assist with consumer-related research and outreach, and other duties as assigned.

An in-person or hybrid (partially in-person, partially remote) schedule is strongly preferred, and this position could be based in either our Augusta or Portland office.

Undergraduate Intern, Bangor Family Law/Victims’ Rights and Basic Units

Pine Tree's Bangor office is seeking an undergraduate intern to work in person, supporting the Family Law/Victims Rights (FLVR) Unit and the Basic Unit.  Our FLVR Unit offers civil legal services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, while our Basic Unit focuses primarily on housing law/eviction defense, consumer law and public benefits.

Undergraduate Intern, Lewiston Basic and Family Law/Victims’ Rights Units

Pine Tree’s Lewiston office is seeking an undergraduate intern to support the Basic Unit and the Family Law/Victims' Rights (FLVR) Unit.  The intern would be expected to work primarily in person, but a hybrid schedule (partially in-person, partially remote) may be considered.  Pine Tree's Basic unit focuses primarily on housing law/eviction defense, consumer law and public benefits, while our FLVR unit offers civil legal services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Undergraduate Intern, Augusta Family Law/Victims’ Rights Unit

Pine Tree’s Family Law/Victims’ Rights Unit based in our Augusta office is seeking an undergraduate intern to support the program’s work providing civil legal services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Instructions for All Applicants: Applications are due by Friday, February 27, 2026, at 5 pm.

Students must successfully pass a conflict and criminal background check before the internship is finalized.  We hope to make hiring decisions by the end of March 2026.

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume via this website addressed to Mary Murphy, Pro Bono Program paralegal. Please specify in your cover letter which of the above position(s) you are applying for.