Equality Ohio Education Fund (EOEF) is seeking law students for a 12-week Summer Legal Internship with Equality Ohio’s Legal Clinic. Interns will work closely with Staff Attorneys and the Managing Legal Director to support legal services and outreach for LGBTQ+ Ohioans.

Interns will gain hands-on experience in
public interest law, civil rights advocacy and community legal services, while supporting Equality Ohio’s mission to advance fairness and equality for LGBTQ+ people across the state.

Schedule Expectations

This internship runs for 12 weeks during the summer. Interns may work up to 40 hours per week.

• The first week of July will be off.
• Because June is Pride Month, weekends may be busy. Interns are asked to attend at least two Pride events with Equality Ohio during June.
• Please indicate in your cover letter if there are other dates during the summer when you already know you will be unavailable.

Location & Work Environment

• Cleveland
• Columbus

Please indicate your preferred location in your cover letter.

This position follows a hybrid work model, combining in-person and remote work. While most of our team works remotely, Equality Ohio maintains offices in Cleveland and Columbus and presence in the office, in community locations or at Court may be required from time to time. Pride events may require additional travel. 

Internship Responsibilities

Legal interns will assist Staff the Director of Legal Advocacy, staff attorney’s and/or the Executive Director with:

• Intake and outreach to LGBTQ+ individuals needing legal representation;
• Assisting with legal representation for LGBTQ+ individuals with civil legal needs, including drafting pleadings, attending client meetings, and attending court; 
• Outreach to LGBTQ  & allied attorneys, legal-service organizations, and LGBTQ-serving organizations;
• Assisting in representing Equality Ohio community events, such as Pop-Up Legal Clinics, Pride festivals and Know Your Rights presentations
• Assisting with the implementation of a Community Legal Needs Assessment
• Conducing legal research and preparing memoranda of law
• Drafting and updating LGBTQ+ Know Your Rights pamphlets and brochures
• Other tasks as assigned

Qualifications

Applicants should be:

• Second- through fourth-year law students
• Familiar with or connected to LGBTQ+ communities
• Passionate about public interest law and social justice
• Strong in oral, written and listening communication skills
• Able to work effectively with diverse communities through an intersectional lens
• Comfortable with public speaking, outreach and presentations
• Reliable, adaptable and able to take initiative

Technical Skills

Preferred experience with:

• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Google Workspace / Google Drive
• Legal research tools such as LexisNexis, Westlaw, or similar platforms

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed and filled on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Please include:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Preferred office location (Cleveland or Columbus)
• Any known scheduling conflicts during the summer

Equal Opportunity Statement

Equality Ohio Education Fund is committed to building an inclusive and equitable organization. People of color, LGBTQ+ people, and individuals with gender-expansive identities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Apply Here