Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project

Housing - Eviction Defense - Spring Internship (unpaid)

Buffalo, New York, US

Role snapshot

Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project is hiring a Housing - Eviction Defense - Spring Internship (unpaid) on a internship basis. This is a role based in Buffalo, New York, US.

Company: Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project
Location: Buffalo, New York, US
Job type: Internship
Posted: Nov 6, 2026

Who this role suits

Students and recent graduates who want hands-on experience. Internships are usually judged on curiosity, projects and coursework rather than years of work history.

How to prepare your application

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About the role

Job Description

This internship is in downtown Buffalo, NY and is open to current law students who are enrolled in a Juris Doctor (JD) or Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree program.

Please upload a cover letter explaining your interest in the internship, resume, and a writing sample.

About VLP: The Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. (VLP) is a not-for-profit corporation that provides free civil legal services to low-income people and small non-profit groups in a variety of legal matters including, but not limited to: detained and non-detained immigration, family law, eviction defense, matrimonial matters, consumer matters, estates, and end of life planning. Intern with VLP and help give a voice to those who are not heard!

Benefits of Interning with VLP:

Direct client interaction
Court observation
Opportunity to network with local attorneys
In-house training, supervision, and mentorship
Potential for court appearances with Student Practice Order (for qualified law students)
Complimentary attendance at VLP-sponsored Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs
Commitment letters for those seeking alternate sources of funding for positions at VLP

Minimum Qualifications: Current law student enrolled in a Juris Doctor (JD) or Master of Laws (LL.M) degree program.

**NOTE** If you are interested in applying to more than one internship, please apply to your first choice. You will have an opportunity to select alternative internships during the application process.

Eviction Defense "Attorney of the Morning" Program Internship

Hours: Tuesday mornings (9:30 am - 11:30 am) and Tuesday afternoons (2:00 pm - 4:00 pm)

Location: Buffalo City Court - 50 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14202

Description: VLP's Attorney of the Morning Program (AOM) provides representation to low-income tenants who are facing eviction in Buffalo City Court. The program operates on Tuesday mornings (9:30 am - 11:30 am) and afternoons (2:00 pm - 4:00 pm). In this program, VLP lawyers and volunteer attorneys meet with clients to represent them in their eviction case. The goal is to help prevent tenants from becoming homeless.

Interns will be responsible for performing client intake at the courthouse, working with the attorneys in the quick preparation and representation of cases, negotiating stipulations, writing up stipulations (over 80% of cases settle in the hallway), making appropriate follow-up referrals for clients, taking care of follow-up paperwork and recordkeeping back at the office, and debriefing with the program coordinator or staff attorney. The intern may also help the attorneys prepare for the court cases.

Interns not only learn to think on their feet, but they get to work with clients, court clerks, and a wide variety of attorneys.

Interns must be available to cover at least one shift in Buffalo City Court each week.