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I'm interested in the long-term in working for a small or mid size public interest firm. Currently a 1L at a T13 law school. Any use in trying to get a 1L SA position by just cold emailing firms on this list? http://hls.harvard.edu/content/uploads/ ... -guide.pdf
I have no idea what standard protocol is here. I know 1L SAs are extremely competitive and rare. But I'm also fine to work for free at one of these places but I don't even know if that's a thing that happens. Thoughts?

You can try, but I know a lot of places on this list have already hired. Just do public interest and try for private public interest firms for your 2L summer, especially if you're willing to work for free this summer (which T13 doesn't have summer public interest stipends?)