Academic Year Law Student Externships and Fellowships

Applications for in-person or hybrid, part-time or full-time law student externships during the academic year are accepted on a rolling basis. The number of opportunities varies from year to year.  To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume by email to Shannon Karam, Esq. (she/her), Director of Pro Bono Services, at [email protected].

Interested in applying for a post-graduate fellowship with Pine Tree? A post graduate fellowship posting will be listed at ptla.org/careers when available, usually in May with an application deadline in early July.  

 

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, and people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, immigrants, and people who have experienced poverty or homelessness.

Undergraduate Internships

Opportunities 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.

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.   

Undergraduate Internship Opportunities Summer 2025

Update (4/8/2025):  All Summer 2025 Undergraduate Internship positions have been filled. 

Undergraduate Academic Year Opportunities 2025-2026

Consumer Unit Intern 

Our statewide Consumer Law Unit, which assists clients with debt collection, foreclosure, auto fraud, student loans, and other consumer issues, is seeking an undergraduate intern to work part-time during the academic year.  There is some flexibility for the right person to work in-person, remotely, or hybrid (partially in-person, partially remote), and the position could be based in either our Augusta or Portland office.  There is also some flexibility about start and end dates. 

The intern would be assisting with consumer-related research and outreach, and other duties as assigned.  Please also see our general undergraduate internship description above.

Bangor Office Intern

Staff attorneys with our Family Law/Victims’ Rights (FLVR) Unit and Basic Unit are seeking an undergraduate intern to work in person, a minimum of 8 hours per week, in Pine Tree’s Bangor office. 

The FLVR unit offers civil legal services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, while the Basic unit focuses primarily on housing law/eviction defense, consumer law and public benefits.  Please also see our general undergraduate internship description above. 

***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. 

Both of these positions are unpaid, part-time internships.  A schedule will be determined by the student and Pine Tree.

Instructions for Applicants:

Applications are due by Friday, May 30, 2025, at 5 pm. Applications for Fall 2025 or for the entire academic year (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026) will be accepted.  Please specify in your cover letter which position and which time period you are applying for.  Students must successfully pass a conflict and criminal background check before the internship is finalized.  We hope to make hiring decisions by early July.

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume addressed to Mary Murphy, Pro Bono Program paralegal, through the posting at https://ptla.bamboohr.com/careers/93