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INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Summer Legal Interns in Child Welfare

CompanyDefender Association of Philadelphia

LocationPhiladelphia

Work ModeOn Site

PostedOctober 9, 2026

Internship Information

Core Responsibilities

Interns will work collaboratively with attorneys and social workers to provide legal representation for dependent children in various court matters. Responsibilities include conducting legal research, performing client interviews, and participating in home or placement visits.

Internship Type

summer

Company Size

577

Visa Sponsorship

Language

English

Working Hours

40 hours

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About The Company

The Defender Association of Philadelphia provides high quality, client-centered legal representation, connection to social services, and reentry support to adults and juveniles in Philadelphia, engaging in advocacy and community collaboration to improve the lives of vulnerable populations, protect the Constitution, and ensure a fair and equitable justice system. We are a nonprofit law firm created in 1934 by a group of lawyers dedicated to the belief that: Everyone, regardless of income, deserves the highest quality legal representation. The ideal continues today with a staff of Lawyers, Social Workers, Social Service Advocates, Administrative Staff, Mitigation Specialists, Paralegals, and Investigators working closely together to represent adult and juvenile clients in criminal, delinquency, and neglect cases. Firmly rooted in Philadelphia for over 80 years, the Defender Association has been working to advance the fairness of criminal law and improve justice for all. We employ an integrated defense team approach with social service advocates working alongside attorneys to ensure that our clients: • Understand the legal process; • Get the support that they need; and • Are treated with dignity and respect that they deserve at a critical time Our staff understands the importance of making sure that judges, juries, and prosecutors have a full picture of who the accused is; not just what’s written on paper. By eliminating the barriers to service, our goal is developing client-focused plans that connect our clients with the resources that they need in their own community.

About the Role

Summer Law Internship in Child Welfare

The Defender Association of Philadelphia offers law students a rich and exciting summer internship program from the end of May through August 2027 in our Child Advocacy Unit (CAU). This Unit provides legal representation for dependent children, from birth to 21 years of age, in matters involving allegations of physical and sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, truancy and incorrigibility as well as in adoption proceedings. In keeping with the mandates of the Juvenile Act, while we protect and promote the legal interests of these children, we also strive to serve their best interests. A multidisciplinary team of attorneys and social workers assess the needs and welfare of each child, and then make recommendations to the Court to ensure our clients’ safety and to achieve permanency for our clients in a loving and supportive home environment.

What You’ll Do

Our summer program is designed for second year law students with a real interest in children’s issues, the child welfare system and juvenile justice. This experience offers broad exposure to the practical applications of child welfare law. Most of our interns will work collaboratively with supervising attorneys and social workers on specific cases. Interns will participate in comprehensive training and received individualized supervision and mentoring. Interns will get direct, hands-on experience with advocacy, legal research, court observation, client interviewing, home/placement visits, crisis intervention, negotiation, and case management.

What You’ll Need

Be a current law student in good standing – only 2Ls and rising 3L can apply
Interest and commitment to children’s issues and juvenile justice
Experience or interest in serving racially and socioeconomically – oppressed clients and communities
Ability to deal effectively with children, adolescents, and family members
Ability to work collaboratively in a high-volume practice
Relevant clinical program or work experience, preferred

To Apply:

Please apply online with a cover letter addressing interest and experience in children’s issues/juvenile justice and resume at phillydefender.org/careers. For additional questions, contact Sharene Ginyard, Esq. Given the robust nature of these internships, we have a limited number of spots so they can be competitive.

Who is the Defender?

The Defender Association of Philadelphia is more than just a law firm. We’re the community’s lawyers. Our mission-driven, client-centered model focuses on outcomes that support a system that is fundamentally fair and creates safer, stronger communities. Our unique model and approach give our staff with the skills and support they need to get the best outcomes for our clients. Many former Defenders go on in their careers to serve as judges, state and federal officials, and successful private practitioners. Come join our team! Come join our team! For more information, go Defender’s Child Advocacy Unit and follow us @PhillyDefenders (Twitter, IG, Tiktok) and on LinkedIn.

The Defender Association provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, The Defender Association complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training

Key Skills

Legal researchAdvocacyClient interviewingCase managementCrisis interventionNegotiationCourt observationChild welfare lawJuvenile justiceLegal representation