Contact Us

MIE
PO Box 27010, 7782 Crittenden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19118
(267) 277-3404 (phone)

Email Us

Summer Clerkships

Description: 

Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) seeks clerks and/or externs for Summer 2023.

Background
LASO is a non-profit organization that represents low-income clients in civil cases. LASO’s eight regional offices serve the general low-income population throughout the state and two specialized statewide programs provide services to farmworkers and representation on Native American issues. LASO is an effective, high-quality legal services program that is committed to advocacy strategies having the broadest possible impact on client community problems. LASO is actively working to build an inclusive organizational culture that centers on racial equity. LASO is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a welcoming and culturally responsive environment for our staff and clients. 

Positions
LASO is seeking law clerks for summer 2023. General clerkship positions are available in our regional offices in Albany, Portland, and Roseburg. LASO also offers the following additional clerkship opportunities: Farmworker Program clerkships are available in Woodburn and Hillsboro. Statewide Tax Clinic clerkships are available in Portland. For the full Farmworker Program and Statewide Tax Clinic clerkship descriptions, please visit LASO’s employment page: https://lasoregon.org/employment/.

The typical work schedule is based on a 35-hour work week, Monday through Friday 9:00-5:00 with a one-hour lunch break. Work location can be in-office or could be partially remote. Extended remote and flexible work schedules may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Type of Legal Work
Clerkships in the regional offices (including Albany, Portland, and Roseburg) will have an emphasis on domestic violence, family law, housing, and/or public benefits, all within a framework of providing trauma-informed care. Law clerks will work on many aspects of client services including trauma-informed intake, outreach, legal research and writing, conducting client interviews, and representing clients in hearings. 

Funding
2023 funding details have not yet been finalized. Law clerks will be paid at least $600/week. LASO will also coordinate with fellowship programs. Check back for updated funding details.

Closing Date
Positions open until filled. Review of resumes to begin on January 17, 2023. 

 

We celebrate diversity
 LASO is committed to being an organization that reflects the communities we serve and is diverse in race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, or sensory, mental and physical abilities, work background, experience and education. We believe that the outcome of such diversity is our greatest strength and a matter of basic human fairness. It is to this end that we strongly encourage applications from people of color and people from any other underrepresented and historically marginalized group to apply for this position.

Requirements: 

Class standing of 1L or above at time of application. Proven interest in and commitment to advocacy for low-income communities and other vulnerable populations. Demonstrated understanding and commitment to anti-bias principles, cultural knowledge, cultural humility, and addressing systemic racism and other forms of oppression. LASO has a hiring preference for bilingual candidates who speak English and Spanish or another language.

To Apply: 

Applicants are encouraged to apply through the Northwest Public Service Career: https://law.lclark.edu/nwconsortium/nw-public-service-career-fair/Materials are due there by January 16, 2023 at noon. LASO will be conducting virtual interviews at the Seattle Fair on February 3, 2023, and at the Portland Fair on February 4, 2023.

Please include your response to the supplemental question (below) in your materials and also clearly identify which position(s) and office(s) you are applying for: General- Albany, Portland, Roseburg; Farmworker- Woodburn, Hillsboro; and/or Statewide Tax Clinic - Portland. Please note if you are bilingual in Spanish and/or another language and describe your level of competency. Please also note if you are interested in a post-graduate fellowship.

Alternatively, please send your resume, letter of interest, and supplemental question response to: Erin White, Grants and Project Coordinator, at jobs@lasoregon.org.

For an up-to-date list of positions, please visit LASO’s employment page: https://lasoregon.org/employment/.

Supplemental question
Please provide a written response to the following question and submit it as part of your application materials. Limit response to 500 words.

LASO is committed to achieving justice for the low-income communities of Oregon. Our client communities include people of color, farmworkers, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, seniors, people with lived experiences of homelessness, veterans, people with disabilities, and people from other underrepresented groups. It is essential to our mission that we also work to create an inclusive and respectful workplace environment in which differences are acknowledged and valued. How do you think your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, have prepared you to: (1) serve our diverse client communities effectively, (2) work effectively with colleagues from backgrounds different than your own, (3) acknowledge the systemic barriers that our clients face, and (4) contribute to our efforts to achieve racial justice? Feel free to provide examples and apply various aspects of your life and personal experiences in your response.

If you require reasonable accommodation for a disability during the application/hiring process, please contact Meghan Collins, Director of Administration, at Meghan.Collins@lasoregon.org.

Information

Submission Deadline: 
January 20, 2023
Organization Information: 
Legal Aid Services of Oregon
520 SW Sixth Avenue, Suite 1130
Portland, OR 97204
United States
Phone: 503-224-4094