Housing Unit Intern

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
• Parking stipend
• Development of Writing Sample
• 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
• Mone tary S tipend ( for qualified law students; Limited to certain programs )
• Commitment Letters f or Those Seeking Alternate Sources of Funding for Positions at VLP

Minimum Qualifications : Current student or recent graduate.

Applicants for Spring 2026 Internships will be contacted in November 2025.

EVICTION DEFENSE "ATTORNEY OF THE MORNING" PROGRAM INTERNSHIP

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

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

Qualifications : Current student or recent graduate.

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