LAW CLERKS AT LSGMI

LSGMI relies on assistance from law students to fulfill its mission to serve the low-income community of Miami-Dade County. Working at LSGMI during law school gives you immediate, hands-on experience with the clients we serve and the cases we handle. You will not be limited to doing legal research.

Law student positions can be paid or volunteer, part-time or full-time. Law students frequently complete externships at LSGMI for school credit. Law clerk positions are available in all of our projects. Visit What We Do for more information about our projects.

To learn more about the University of Miami School of Law Tenants’ Rights Clinic at LSGMI click here or contact JHearne@LSGMI.org.

For all law clerk positions, LSGMI seeks students with a commitment to and passion for the rights of low-income clients. Bilingual capability (Spanish or Haitian Creole) is desired but not required. If you are interested in a law clerk position, please click here for an application.

Our attorneys practice in state and federal court, in administrative proceedings, and in appellate courts.
A law clerk’s duties may include any combination of the following:

• interviewing clients in person and by telephone;
• conducting factual investigations including visiting apartments and taking photographs;
• performing legal research;
• writing legal memoranda;
• drafting pleadings and discovery motions;
• reviewing documents;
• preparing for and observing administrative and court hearings;
• participating in after-hours legal clinics; and
• participating in after-hours community education events.

“I appreciate all the help and wisdom everyone has given me while I have worked here. I have thoroughly enjoyed working here and helping everyone who comes here in need of help. I truly learned what it means to serve others and I learned I can make a huge difference in people's lives. I never thought about a career in public service before working at LSGMI, but now I think it is a major possibility for me.”

- David Kaye, 2012

“I wanted to thank each of you for providing me with this great opportunity. I have learned more than I ever expected. I truly enjoyed my time here, and I am so thankful that I was able to work for such a great organization and with such great people.”

- Jamie Fromson, 2012

FELLOWSHIPS AT LSGMI

Our generous donors have established law student fellowships at LSGMI. These fellowships provide students with the opportunity to develop practical legal skills and substantive knowledge in practice areas unique to the low income community, and foster a life-long commitment to public interest legal advocacy and pro bono. They also help LSGMI meet the growing demand from vulnerable individuals and families for help resolving critical legal problems. Click here for information on establishing a fellowship.

The criteria used by LSGMI to select the Fellows includes a demonstrated commitment to public interest work and a strong academic background. During the 12 week program the Fellows work on assignments including research, writing, client interviews, community education and outreach. Fellows receive guidance and mentoring from experienced LSGMI staff attorneys.

The Stearns Weaver Miller Summer Fellows Program was established in 2008. Applications for the 2013 Summer Fellows Program will be accepted from April 15 through May10, 2013. Please click here for an application.

The Jacqueline and Chesterfield Smith Fellows Program was established by Jacqueline Allee Smith in 2012, and will fund a law clerk to work on systemic issues affecting the poverty community. Please click here for an application.

The Harry and Irving Cypen Fellows Program was established by Stephen H. Cypen in memory of his father Judge Irving Cypen and his uncle Harry L. Cypen, and will fund a law student fellow in LSGMI’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. Please click here for an application.

The University of Miami Legal Corps program, a postgraduate fellowship program, places recent law graduates in public sector organizations, including LSGMI. UM Fellows will have the opportunity to have client interaction almost immediately. Fellows can expect to complete legal research, draft pleadings, including discovery, and attend and possibly argue motions before tribunals. The Fellows will also be exposed to federal practice. This is an exciting opportunity for a UM graduate who wants a challenging, educational and rewarding experience. For more information visit University of Miami Legal Corps at http://www.law.miami.edu/cdo/legal_corps.php.

LSGMI has also partnered with other law schools, including the George Washington University Law School, to serve as a sponsoring employer for graduating law students. To see if your school offers a fellowship, we urge you to contact your law school.

“I… want to thank everyone for being so helpful and nice while I was here. I have learned quite a bit during my ten months at LSGMI and will certainly look fondly upon my time here. LSGMI provides a great, necessary service to the community and am proud to have worked here.”

- Marco Farrah, 2012

“I want to thank each one of you for making my experience at LSGMI incredible. I have learned so much from all of you and have gained a lot of valuable experience that will help me as I continue in my legal career. Thank you all for helping to make my experience so positive. I am so proud to say that I worked as a legal fellow with LSGMI and had the opportunity to learn from such compassionate and skilled attorneys.”

- Christine Bilenki, 2012

VOLUNTEERS

Attorneys interested in volunteering at LSGMI by doing on or off site intake, disability case preparation, drafting naturalization applications or helping in the small claims clinic should click here for an application and submit it to Lizel Gonzalez, Director of Operations and Human Resources, via email PositionApps@LSGMI.ORG or via facsimile 305-576-5112.

Law students interested in volunteering at LSGMI to fulfill their school’s pro bono requirement should click here for an application and send to isanchezbryson@lsgmi.org.