Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. has two paid internships through Equal Justice Works Rural Summer Legal Corps program. Each internship includes a $7,000 stipend and requires 300 hours of service and mandatory training in Washington D.C. One internship is located in Hannibal, Missouri and the other is in Union, Missouri. 

Project Description (RSLC):

LSEM seeks Rural Summer Legal Corps Student Fellows to support direct civil legal services and community outreach in rural Missouri, through our Union and Hannibal offices. Fellows will work under close attorney supervision on matters affecting rural residents with low incomes, including housing, family law, consumer issues, public benefits, and access-to-justice initiatives.

Why Rural Missouri?

Low-income residents in rural Missouri face disproportionate barriers to accessing legal assistance and essential services. Clients frequently encounter limited transportation options, shortages of healthcare and behavioral or mental health providers, scarcity of shelters and transitional housing, and fewer employment and educational opportunities.
 

As a result, legal issues involving housing instability, consumer debt and fraud, family law matters, and estate planning often go unaddressed, leading to cascading harms for individuals and families. Female heads of household and elderly residents are particularly overrepresented among those seeking legal assistance, as they are more likely to experience housing insecurity, fixed or limited incomes, caregiving burdens, and barriers to mobility.
 

Through this project, Fellows will help bridge the justice gap by delivering direct legal services and community education to rural residents who would otherwise have little or no access to legal representation.

What we do: LSEM is a nonprofit law firm providing free, quality civil legal services to people living with low income and limited opportunity. LSEM advances justice through legal representation, education, and supportive services. We partner with the community to improve lives, promote fairness, and create opportunities for those in need. Since 1956, LSEM has provided high-quality civil legal assistance and equal access to justice for low-income people in 21 counties in Missouri. We accomplish our mission through systemic advocacy/impact litigation and individual case work in a wide range of substantive civil areas which are in our priorities, e.g., family law for victims of domestic violence, prevention of homelessness/housing, health, public benefits, consumer, education, disability, community economic development, and immigration. As part of our community education/outreach efforts, LSEM works with over 150 agencies and participates in over 35 task forces/coalitions and has a vibrant Volunteer Lawyers Program. 

Fellow Responsibilities

• Shadow attorneys in court and administrative proceedings
• Conduct client intake and interviews
• Perform legal research and writing
• Draft pleadings, motions, affidavits, and discovery
• Assist with community education and outreach
• Support systemic advocacy and capacity-building projects

Required:

• Completed at least one year of law school
• Enrollment at an Equal Justice Works member law school
• Strong interest in public interest and rural justice
• Ability to work in a hybrid/remote setting 

Preferred:

• Coursework or experience aligning with firm’s practice areas
• Ability to travel within rural counties

Program Requirements 

• Minimum of 300 service hours during Summer 2026
• Participation in all required Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc., and Equal Justice Works onboarding/trainings

How to Apply

Applicants MUST apply through BOTH:
1) The Equal Justice Works Rural Summer Legal Corps online application ; AND
2) Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc.’s employment website at www.lsem.org/employment 

Applications close on February 16th at 11:59pm EST

Failure to submit an application through both platforms will result in the applicant not being considered. Selected candidates may be required to complete additional onboarding steps with LSEM.

Who we are: 

At Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, we embrace a culture that celebrates and promotes the many backgrounds, heritages, and perspectives of our colleagues and clients. We seek to hire individuals from a variety of backgrounds, who are professional, collaborative, and creative thinkers with a passion for our mission, and create an environment where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals and will make employment decisions based on merit.

 Equal access to Legal Services of Eastern Missouri’s office is available. Those applicants requiring accommodation to the interview/application process should contact Human Resources at the e-mail HR@lsem.org. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri is an equal opportunity employer.