Summer Law Clerk (Self-Funded)

SUMMER LAW CLERKSHIPS

(SELF-FUNDED)

            Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky, Inc. (AppalReD Legal Aid) is seeking law clerks for the Summer of 2016 in its area offices to assist attorneys in all phases of client representation and program work.  Students must provide their own funding, although work study and similar arrangements with a sponsoring institution will be considered.

            Our well-established legal services program is in its 45th year of serving low-income clients and client groups in a 37-county area, which includes the mountains of eastern Kentucky and the south central farming counties of the Kentucky Appalachian area.  Offices are in Barbourville, Hazard, Pikeville, Prestonsburg, Richmond, and Somerset.

            Our program has been involved in significant representation of clients and client groups such as:

• Establishment of shelters for victims of spouse abuse
• Actions to rectify employment discrimination based on race or gender
• Representation of students with special educational needs
• Incorporation of and assistance to economic development groups
• Development of due process procedures for utility cut-offs

            We have also served thousands of low income clients in their day-to-day needs in the traditional areas of poverty law representation, such as:

• Private and Government-Subsidized housing matters
• Consumer matters
• Claims for public benefits
• Domestic relations including domestic violence
• Foreclosure Defense & Loan Modifications
• Bankruptcy including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13

            Despite funding cuts, our program continues to include a network of 6 operating field offices with a staff of approximately 20 attorneys, 2 paralegals, and supporting personnel.  Each area office has the necessary equipment to permit the staff to function as a first-class law firm, and has experienced staff attorneys who practice in both Federal and State Courts in Kentucky.  Our staff contains in house experts in a variety of subject areas, and are always willing to share the wealth of information they possess.   

            Our area offices are primarily located in communities of 3,000-5,000 persons, with the exception of our Somerset and Richmond offices, which are located in towns with populations, respectively, of about 10,000 and 25,000 persons.  All offices are accessible to nearby outdoor, camping, and hiking activities as well as within driving distance to major Kentucky cities.

            Student interns conduct research, interview witnesses, draft briefs, Complaints, motions, and settlements, in addition to the opportunity to handle a variety of tasks under the direction of program attorneys. As our attorneys maintain very substantial caseloads, the opportunity to attend Court in any number of counties provides our interns with an opportunity to see first-hand how life works on the other side of the bar.

            Law clerks in our offices have represented many law schools including Willamette University College of Law, Marquette University, Duke University, Vanderbilt University, University of Indiana, Appalachian Law School, University of Louisville, Washington and Lee University, University of Kansas,  and Syracuse University.

            Interested applicants should apply to Robert Johns, Executive Director, Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Ky., Inc., 120 North Front Avenue, Prestonsburg, KY  41653; or by email at robertj@ardfky.org.  Applicants should send a resume, a list of references, and a statement regarding the applicant’s ability to provide funding for himself/herself.  If you have questions, please call Robert Johns at (606) 886-9876, ext. 1247.

January 2016