Law Student Internship and Fellowship Opportunities
Join the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law and take the first step toward a fulfilling career in law. Our programs provide law students with hands-on experience, mentorship, and opportunities to support low-income families in Los Angeles.
“Working at the Buhai Center confirmed my interest in pursuing family law. I would choose this over and over again for my summer experience.”
– Olivia Ohanian, Summer 2024 Trope Fellow
What You’ll Do As A Law Student Intern:
- Develop essential interviewing and legal writing skills.
- Explore family law topics such as domestic violence, custody, child support, and visitation.
- Under attorney supervision, provide legal advice to low-income individuals about their legal rights and resources.
- Observe court proceedings and analyze legal issues across diverse cases.
- Collaborate with experienced attorneys to support clients facing significant challenges.
Sponsored Fellowships
The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law welcomes and encourages applications from law students who would like to partner on external fellowships. Those proposing 2026 Skadden or Equal Justice Works fellowships projects should submit their applications no later than July 21, 2025. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.
Project proposals in the following areas will be considered:
- Domestic violence or domestic violence restraining orders
- Pre- or post-dependency court family law litigation
- Complex property dissolutions
- Barriers to access in family law court
Proposals must include a direct services component.
Applicants will be evaluated based on:
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest work or experience working with underserved communities;
- Excellent oral, research, and writing skills; and
- Strong academic record.
Interested candidates should send their resume, unofficial transcript, and a brief description of the proposed project to Karen Suri at ksuri@hbcfl.org no later than July 21, 2025.
For more information about Skadden Fellowships, please visit skaddenfellowships.org/applicant. For more information on Equal Justice Works Fellowships, please visit equaljusticeworks.org.
School Sponsored Fellowships
The Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law has a long history of hosting school-sponsored fellows both pre- and post-bar and welcomes fellowship applications from both current 3L students and recent law school graduates. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Accepted fellows will have the opportunity to partner with Buhai Center staff attorneys in providing direct legal services and in outreach and advocacy work.
Interested candidates should send their resume, writing sample, and a brief description of any school fellowship requirements (e.g., required duration, expected compensation structure, program requirements) to Karen Suri at ksuri@hbcfl.org.
School Year Law Student Internships
Duration: 10 weeks, part-time or full-time
Benefits: Students may receive school credit and/or pro bono hours as permitted by their school.
This internship can be part-time or full-time for active law students in the fall and spring. Positions provide students the opportunity to gain practical legal experience while earning school credit and/or pro bono hours, as permitted by their academic institution.
Summer Law Student Internship
Duration: 10 weeks, full-time
Stipend: $7,500 (funding provided by the State Bar of California)
This internship is a hands-on opportunity to build your legal knowledge, grow professionally, and make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
Current Deadline to Apply: Check back Winter 2025-2026
WLALA and Harriett Buhai Law Student Fellow
Duration: 10 weeks, full-time
Stipend: $7,500 (funding provided by the WLALA Foundation)
This fellowship is offered in partnership with the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Foundation, providing a unique opportunity for aspiring legal professionals to make an impact in their community.
Current Deadline to Apply: Check back Winter 2025-2026
Sorrell Trope USC Family Law Public Interest Fellowship
Duration: 10 weeks, full-time
Stipend: $7,500 (funding provided by the Trope family)
This fellowship honors the legacy of Sorrell Trope, a trailblazer in family law, and offers law students at USC an unparalleled opportunity to grow as professionals while giving back to the community.
Current Deadline to Apply: Check back Winter 2025-2026
How to Apply
For all positions, email your resume, cover letter, and writing sample (maximum 10 pages) to volunteer@hbcfl.org. Be sure to include the title of the opportunity you are applying for in the subject line.
“I think the level of individual attention interns receive is much higher than at other internships and there was little to no busy work given. Everything I worked on was for a real client’s case.”
– Maya Rhode, Summer 2022 Fellow
Other Opportunities for Law Students to Get Involved:
Remote Services Program
As our largest volunteer program, the Remote Services Program (RSP) offers volunteers the opportunity to support the Buhai Center’s legal services by participating remotely in our free legal consultations. During these consultations, the volunteer interviews and provides legal advice to prospective clients in consultation with staff attorneys. Free legal consultation appointments are held over the phone and are on most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and some Saturdays each month. Appointments are generally 2-4 hours long.
Volunteers schedule themselves for free legal consultations based on their availability using the Buhai Center’s online volunteer calendar and scheduling system. This program is designed for attorneys, law school graduates, and law students. Completion of the Buhai Center’s New Volunteer Training and on-boarding process is required to participate in this program. The Buhai Center requires all volunteers to agree to perform 50 hours of pro bono service within a year of completing the New Volunteer Training.
To learn more about making an impact through the Remote Services Program, email volunteer@hbcl.org.
Family Law Clinic with Southwestern Law School
In partnership with Southwestern Law School, the Buhai Center has conducted a Family Law Clinic course each year since 2018. The program offers Southwestern students the opportunity to serve Buhai Center clients while learning how to interview, prepare pleadings, and manage cases and clients.
Curious about the Family Law Clinic? Click here to learn more about this program.