Summer 2025 Student Law Clerk Unpaid

Summer 2025 Student Law Clerk Unpaid
Position Type: Full-time Temporary
Location: Minneapolis, MN

Introduction:

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) is seeking rising 2L and 3L law students to work in our Minneapolis office. These positions require a minimum 30 hour ten week commitment. In your cover letter, please indicate which practice group(s) you are interested in and how many hours per week you will be available to work.

As an equal opportunity employer, MMLA is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, and communities to apply. We welcome information about how your experience can contribute to serving our diverse client communities. Applicants are encouraged to share in their cover letter how they can further our goal of equal justice for all. We are committed to a discrimination- and harassment-free workplace.

Practice Groups:

Consumer/Homeownership: The Consumer Unit represents clients facing debt collection, unfair debt practices, wrongful credit reporting, among other consumer issues, and clients facing the loss of their home to foreclosure. Students will work with MMLA’s Consumer unit and will represent clients in:

-Claiming income protections to prevent garnishment of pay and bank accounts, which will include written legal arguments to debt collection attorneys.
-Defending clients being sued for debt they should not owe (including used car loans when the cars didn't run and credit card accounts that were opened through identity theft), which will include preparing pleadings, motions and discovery.
-Disputing debt on credit reports, which will include dispute letters to credit bureaus and creditors and some litigation work.
-Legal research and other case work to help homeowners stay in their houses.  
-Students will have a significant amount of client contact and will have 1-2 regularly scheduled meetings every week with supervising attorneys to discuss, review and plan the work in their cases.  Additional meetings will be scheduled as needed.

Immigration Law Project (ILP): ILP provides legal representation to clients in a full range of immigration contexts, including removal/deportation defense, adjustment of status, citizenship, and VAWA-based cases (U and T visas). Somali or Spanish language ability preferred but not required.

Low Income Tax Clinic: Legal Aid's Tax Clinic works to protect clients’ income and assets by representing them in federal income tax disputes.  Common issues handled by the Tax Clinic include requests for innocent spouse relief, collection matters, denials of available deductions and credits, and tax problems stemming from tax-related identity theft.  Law clerks work with a team of Tax Clinic and MMLA staff to advocate on behalf of clients and work to resolve their tax disputes.  Law clerks are responsible for interviewing and maintaining contact with clients, collecting and reviewing client documents, conducting legal research, drafting tax-related forms, contacting the Internal Revenue Service to gather information and advocate on behalf of clients, attending team meetings, and participating in outreach and educational activities.  Law clerks will gain experience with both tax litigation and tax transactional work.

Senior Law: Legal Aid attorneys of our Senior Law Project (SLP) provide civil legal services to adults, 60 years of age and older, with a focus on seniors with the greatest social and economic need. A Law clerk in this practice group would work part time or full time conducting research, drafting documents, client interviews and if the opportunity presents itself, a hearing. We assist eligible clients with a variety of civil legal issues, including:

Elder abuse
Assisted living and nursing home discharges
Public benefits
Food support
Cash assistance
Social Security
Unemployment denials
Public health insurance coverage such as Medical Assistance denials
Reduction of home care services
Debtor/creditor issues

What’s in it for you?
We believe in work-life harmony. This role offers the flexibility to blend remote work with in-office collaboration.
MMLA provides on-the-job training and mentorship, with opportunities for growth within the organization.

Why MMLA?
We’re not just ticking boxes. We’re genuinely committed to diversity. Bring your unique identity, experiences, and perspectives—we want them all!
Our mission? Equal justice for all. In your cover letter, tell us how your background can amplify this cause. Let’s change our lives together.
Discrimination and harassment have no place here. We’re building a respectful, supportive workplace where everyone thrives.

Primary Responsibilities:
Apply the principles of MMLA's Racial Justice Values Statement in all interactions.
Interview clients.
Conduct legal research.
Prepare case documents including pleadings, memoranda, letters to opposing counsel, etc.
Research current policy issues to prepare and present community education materials.
Participate in weekly practice group case review meetings.
Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Demonstrated interest in and commitment to the needs of low-income/vulnerable clients.
Proficiency using Microsoft Office.
Excellent attention to detail, interpersonal skills, and oral and written communication skills.
Ability to handle a variety of assignments while building collaborative relationships with clients, staff, and the community.

Preferred Qualifications:
Diverse economic, social, or cultural experiences preferred.
Second language proficiency, especially Arabic, Hmong, Somali, or Spanish, preferred.

Application Submission:
Submit resume, cover letter, transcript, and list of references expressing interest in the position through our Career Page at https://mylegalaid.org/about-us/employment/. Applications close 3/1/25.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in our employee selection process, please contact Megan Cook at [email protected].

Please direct all other inquiries to [email protected].

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. This position is subject to collective bargaining agreements.