Law School Students

Legal Aid of Nebraska (LAN) is dedicated to helping Nebraska’s most needy and vulnerable citizens with civil legal services and accessing our systems of justice by providing a range of legal assistance to senior citizens, victims of domestic abuse, Native Americans, migrant workers and those living in poverty across the State. Divorce, custody, protection orders, simple wills, landlord/tenant issues, bankruptcy/debtor issues, public education, and assistance with public benefit denials or reductions are among our substantive areas of practice.

LAN offers a number of opportunities for law students to assist LAN staff attorneys address the immediate civil legal problems facing clients in poverty. Law students perform a variety of duties at LAN depending on their experience and the needs of LAN attorneys. Duties may include client interviews and case investigation; drafting of pleadings, legal research, drafting of memoranda and briefs, and court representation in county and district courts under the supervision of a LAN attorney for eligible students pursuant to Neb. Ct. R. §3-701 et seq. Law Student opportunities are typically unpaid unless the student comes with his/her own funding source.

About the Summer Law Student Internship Program

Legal Aid has openings for law clerks to work in our Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, and Scottsbluff locations during the summer. The summer internship is typically unpaid; however, students are encouraged to apply for funding through their law school and other grant opportunities (please contact us if we can be of assistance). Summer law students are expected to work 40 hours a week for 8-10 weeks.

Under the supervision of Legal Aid attorneys, law students have the opportunity to: conduct client interviews; obtain discovery and other evidence; assist attorneys in preparing for hearings and trials; write briefs and other legal memoranda; draft documents and legal pleadings, assist self-represented litigants; conduct community education and outreach presentations; draft educational materials for low-income individuals; learn about the court system in Nebraska including observing court proceedings; and work on impact issues. Law students who are senior certified have the opportunity to represent clients in court proceedings under the supervision of an attorney as set forth in the Nebraska Supreme Court rules.