Public Interest 2016: Thoughts, Anxieties, Experiences Forum

[Manali]

This thread is for legal interns in the public sector to discuss their summer work, whether it is PD, DA, Legal Aid, Federal Government, Non-Profit, etc. The BigLaw SAs have their own thread, so here's ours!

Start date for me is May 31. How about you folks?

[FamilyLawEsq]

For those PI graduates looking in New York :

Staff Attorney Position – Albany and Plattsburgh, New York

Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York (PLS) is searching for an entry level staff attorney for our Albany and Plattsburgh, New York regional offices. PLS is a statewide program providing civil legal services to people incarcerated in New York State prisons with regional offices in Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca and Plattsburgh. PLS engages in civil rights advocacy and litigation primarily on behalf of those incarcerated in New York State prisons. These types of cases include deliberate indifference to serious mental health and medical needs, unconstitutional conditions of confinement, prolonged placement in solitary confinement, excessive use of force, and sentencing issues.

PLS is seeking to hire an attorney who is committed to providing legal services to the disadvantaged. Applicants must be admitted to practice in New York State with up to three years experience or have recently taken the N.Y. State Bar exam. The ideal applicant will have experience in the areas of prisoners’ rights, civil legal services, civil rights, poverty law or federal litigation. Applicants should be self-motivated and capable of complex analytical work. Applicants must possess excellent legal research and writing skills, good communications skills, and a desire to work in a cooperative environment.

PLS offers a salary that is competitive with other public interest law firms in the area, and will be set depending on experience. PLS also offers a generous benefits package. We encourage people of color, women, and people with disabilities to apply. We have a serious need for staff who are fluent in Spanish.

Please send your cover letter, resume, writing sample, and at least three (3) references by mail or email for the Plattsburgh office to: Michael Cassidy, Prisoners’ Legal Services of NY, 121 Bridge St., Suite 202, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 or to mcassidy@plsny.org., and for the Albany office please send by email to pkane@plsny.org. No phone calls please. Due to the volume of applications expected, PLS cannot respond to each one. The position will remain open until filled.

Samantha Howell, Esq.
Director of Pro Bono & Outreach
Prisoners' Legal Services of New York
41 State Street, Suite M112
Albany, New York 12207
518-445-6050 x1101
showell@plsny.org

[Manali]

For those PI graduates looking in New York :

Staff Attorney Position – Albany and Plattsburgh, New York

Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York (PLS) is searching for an entry level staff attorney for our Albany and Plattsburgh, New York regional offices. PLS is a statewide program providing civil legal services to people incarcerated in New York State prisons with regional offices in Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca and Plattsburgh. PLS engages in civil rights advocacy and litigation primarily on behalf of those incarcerated in New York State prisons. These types of cases include deliberate indifference to serious mental health and medical needs, unconstitutional conditions of confinement, prolonged placement in solitary confinement, excessive use of force, and sentencing issues.

PLS is seeking to hire an attorney who is committed to providing legal services to the disadvantaged. Applicants must be admitted to practice in New York State with up to three years experience or have recently taken the N.Y. State Bar exam. The ideal applicant will have experience in the areas of prisoners’ rights, civil legal services, civil rights, poverty law or federal litigation. Applicants should be self-motivated and capable of complex analytical work. Applicants must possess excellent legal research and writing skills, good communications skills, and a desire to work in a cooperative environment.

PLS offers a salary that is competitive with other public interest law firms in the area, and will be set depending on experience. PLS also offers a generous benefits package. We encourage people of color, women, and people with disabilities to apply. We have a serious need for staff who are fluent in Spanish.

Please send your cover letter, resume, writing sample, and at least three (3) references by mail or email for the Plattsburgh office to: Michael Cassidy, Prisoners’ Legal Services of NY, 121 Bridge St., Suite 202, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 or to mcassidy@plsny.org., and for the Albany office please send by email to pkane@plsny.org. No phone calls please. Due to the volume of applications expected, PLS cannot respond to each one. The position will remain open until filled.

Samantha Howell, Esq.
Director of Pro Bono & Outreach
Prisoners' Legal Services of New York
41 State Street, Suite M112
Albany, New York 12207
518-445-6050 x1101
showell@plsny.org

Thanks! I wish I weren't a year out from graduation...

[Anonymous User]

What's the dress code like for legal aid non-profits? Should I suit up the first day?

[queenb921]

What's the dress code like for legal aid non-profits? Should I suit up the first day?

I really think it depends on your workplace. I currently work at a non-profit that does immigration legal aid and the dress code is casual. My supervisor is an attorney and wears casual tops, leggings and jeans, flats, etc. The last nonprofit I interned at before this was even more casual, with the supervisor of the department wearing jeans/sneakers even not on Fridays.

I also live in San Diego, though, which is probably the most casual in regards to office attire of any area.

[Anonymous User]

What's the dress code like for legal aid non-profits? Should I suit up the first day?

I really think it depends on your workplace. I currently work at a non-profit that does immigration legal aid and the dress code is casual. My supervisor is an attorney and wears casual tops, leggings and jeans, flats, etc. The last nonprofit I interned at before this was even more casual, with the supervisor of the department wearing jeans/sneakers even not on Fridays.

I also live in San Diego, though, which is probably the most casual in regards to office attire of any area.

It's an LGBT legal aid nonprofit, so I'm hoping for a casual environment. Don't have many suits.

[Kratos]

What's the dress code like for legal aid non-profits? Should I suit up the first day?

I really think it depends on your workplace. I currently work at a non-profit that does immigration legal aid and the dress code is casual. My supervisor is an attorney and wears casual tops, leggings and jeans, flats, etc. The last nonprofit I interned at before this was even more casual, with the supervisor of the department wearing jeans/sneakers even not on Fridays.

I also live in San Diego, though, which is probably the most casual in regards to office attire of any area.

It's an LGBT legal aid nonprofit, so I'm hoping for a casual environment. Don't have many suits.

you could always shoot an e-mail to someone and ask

[Anonymous User]

Did anyone else apply for AmeriCorps JD funding?

[Anonymous User]

Checking in. Doing LGBT law this summer.

[Anonymous User]

Hmmm, this thread doesn't seem quite as popular as the summer associate thread

What's the dress code like for legal aid non-profits? Should I suit up the first day?

I really think it depends on your workplace. I currently work at a non-profit that does immigration legal aid and the dress code is casual. My supervisor is an attorney and wears casual tops, leggings and jeans, flats, etc. The last nonprofit I interned at before this was even more casual, with the supervisor of the department wearing jeans/sneakers even not on Fridays.

I also live in San Diego, though, which is probably the most casual in regards to office attire of any area.

Would it be safe to assume San Francisco is probably a bit more formal than San Diego?

[Anonymous User]

What's the dress code like for legal aid non-profits? Should I suit up the first day?

I work in a public defender's office in a large city (and interned in PD offices of various sizes) and all of my bosses had a policy that you can wear whatever you want outside of court. Most attorneys wear jeans and sneakers on non-court days.

[Anonymous User]

Hi guys. Will be starting in a couple weeks at an intl UN office. Anyone else going overseas? Excited to get 1l over with.

[queenb921]

Hmmm, this thread doesn't seem quite as popular as the summer associate thread

What's the dress code like for legal aid non-profits? Should I suit up the first day?

I really think it depends on your workplace. I currently work at a non-profit that does immigration legal aid and the dress code is casual. My supervisor is an attorney and wears casual tops, leggings and jeans, flats, etc. The last nonprofit I interned at before this was even more casual, with the supervisor of the department wearing jeans/sneakers even not on Fridays.

I also live in San Diego, though, which is probably the most casual in regards to office attire of any area.

Would it be safe to assume San Francisco is probably a bit more formal than San Diego?

I can't really say since I've never been to SF, but I don't see how it's possible to be more casual than SD.

[Anonymous User]

Hmmm, this thread doesn't seem quite as popular as the summer associate thread

What's the dress code like for legal aid non-profits? Should I suit up the first day?

I really think it depends on your workplace. I currently work at a non-profit that does immigration legal aid and the dress code is casual. My supervisor is an attorney and wears casual tops, leggings and jeans, flats, etc. The last nonprofit I interned at before this was even more casual, with the supervisor of the department wearing jeans/sneakers even not on Fridays.

I also live in San Diego, though, which is probably the most casual in regards to office attire of any area.

Would it be safe to assume San Francisco is probably a bit more formal than San Diego?

I can't really say since I've never been to SF, but I don't see how it's possible to be more casual than SD.

The Bay Area is still pretty casual (even if it's not all the way to San Diego casual)

I had a couple government jobs in SF (EEOC, DOL) and the dress code was on the more casual side of business casual. No leggings or t-shirts like the SD poster mentioned, and most people did not wear jeans, but basically anything else that looked put together was okay.

I'd be more careful in a job with client contact, and I'd recommend starting any job on the safer side before you figure out what's accepted.

[Nebby]

In my experience, most people wear business casual at gov't nonprofit. The exception is if you're going to court, meeting a client, or VIPs are visiting the office. I think some places like prosecutor's offices are always business professional, but that is likely also different office to office.

If you're a dude, wear a suit the first day. After lunch, shed the jacket and tie, roll up sleeves a quarter of the way.
If you're a woman, wear something business professional that can be quickly divided down into business casual.

[Manali]

Hmmm, this thread doesn't seem quite as popular as the summer associate thread

What's the dress code like for legal aid non-profits? Should I suit up the first day?

I really think it depends on your workplace. I currently work at a non-profit that does immigration legal aid and the dress code is casual. My supervisor is an attorney and wears casual tops, leggings and jeans, flats, etc. The last nonprofit I interned at before this was even more casual, with the supervisor of the department wearing jeans/sneakers even not on Fridays.

I also live in San Diego, though, which is probably the most casual in regards to office attire of any area.

Would it be safe to assume San Francisco is probably a bit more formal than San Diego?

I can't really say since I've never been to SF, but I don't see how it's possible to be more casual than SD.

The Bay Area is still pretty casual (even if it's not all the way to San Diego casual)

I had a couple government jobs in SF (EEOC, DOL) and the dress code was on the more casual side of business casual. No leggings or t-shirts like the SD poster mentioned, and most people did not wear jeans, but basically anything else that looked put together was okay.

I'd be more careful in a job with client contact, and I'd recommend starting any job on the safer side before you figure out what's accepted.

So, suit up the first day, and then play by ear?

[Londonbear]

Hmmm, this thread doesn't seem quite as popular as the summer associate thread

What's the dress code like for legal aid non-profits? Should I suit up the first day?

I really think it depends on your workplace. I currently work at a non-profit that does immigration legal aid and the dress code is casual. My supervisor is an attorney and wears casual tops, leggings and jeans, flats, etc. The last nonprofit I interned at before this was even more casual, with the supervisor of the department wearing jeans/sneakers even not on Fridays.

I also live in San Diego, though, which is probably the most casual in regards to office attire of any area.

Would it be safe to assume San Francisco is probably a bit more formal than San Diego?

I can't really say since I've never been to SF, but I don't see how it's possible to be more casual than SD.

The Bay Area is still pretty casual (even if it's not all the way to San Diego casual)

I had a couple government jobs in SF (EEOC, DOL) and the dress code was on the more casual side of business casual. No leggings or t-shirts like the SD poster mentioned, and most people did not wear jeans, but basically anything else that looked put together was okay.

I'd be more careful in a job with client contact, and I'd recommend starting any job on the safer side before you figure out what's accepted.

So, suit up the first day, and then play by ear?

yes. suit up where you can go business casual if it's too formal.

[Anonymous User]

Two more weeks until I start!

[Manali]

Hmmm, this thread doesn't seem quite as popular as the summer associate thread

It's been the case for the past three years I've hosted the thread.

[Anonymous User]

Two more weeks until I start!

Congrats! Where?

[Anonymous User]

Two more weeks until I start!

Congrats! Where?

Mazzoni Center.

[Manali]

Anyone applying for fellowships this summer? Yikes, can't believe that time has come.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone applying for fellowships this summer? Yikes, can't believe that time has come.

Already submitted an app for a job AFTER law school. Seems so early and terrifying.

Start for the summer on Monday though and excited for that.

[Hand]

Hmmm, this thread doesn't seem quite as popular as the summer associate thread

It's been the case for the past three years I've hosted the thread.

the fact that you're hosting it might have something to do with the lack of responses

[Manali]

Hmmm, this thread doesn't seem quite as popular as the summer associate thread

It's been the case for the past three years I've hosted the thread.

the fact that you're hosting it might have something to do with the lack of responses

Or maybe it's because this site has a boner for Big Law and 160K starting salaries, dumbass.