Law Clerks - Los Angeles Office

Spring, Summer & Fall

Paid, volunteer and
clinical positions available

Protection & Advocacy, Inc. (PAI), is a nonprofit public interest law firm which operates under federal mandates to protect the legal, civil and service rights of persons with disabilities. When established in 1978, PAI served only persons with developmental disabilities, such as mental retardation, autism and other severe disabilities. In 1986, PAI expanded its services to persons with psychiatric disabilities regarding their rights within the mental health system. Now PAI services persons with all kinds of disabilities. Over the years, PAI has been involved in important class actions and individual litigation regarding deinstitutionalization and forced drugging and discrimination issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Students will find working at PAI a challenging and rewarding experience. Currently PAI is engaged in a variety of exciting and precedent-setting cases including fair housing litigation and ADA litigation. In addition, PAI is actively involved with education and outreach to underepresented communities with disabilities.

Law clerks at PAI gain experience with:

  • Interviewing clients and consumers.
  • Providing information on self-advocacy.
  • Legal research and writing.
  • Representation at mediation and administrative hearings at school districts, universities, regional centers, Social Security and others.
  • Providing assistance to people with psychiatric disabilities who are incarcerated in psychiatric institutions to ensure the enforcement of their federal, state, constitutional and statutory rights.
  • Assisting clients file charges of discrimination with U.S. Office of Civil Rights for the Department of Education, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
  • Assisting in the investigation of serious, systemic and potentially life-threatening abuse and neglect in state and private facilities serving people with psychiatric and developmental disabilities.
  • Conducting trainings on the law and multi-cultural outreach.

Although some paid positions are available, preference is given to work study, volunteer and clinical students. In addition, attorneys at PAI are willing to assist students develop grant proposals.

Interested applicants send resume, writing sample and references to:

Hiring attorney
Protection & Advocacy, Inc.
3580 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 902
Los Angeles, CA 90010