Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Advocacy (IDEA) Law Clerk 2025 Internship Program

Posted: April 2025

To Apply: To apply for the IDEA Law Clerk Scholarship, please send your resume, cover letter, and three (3) references to Rachel Haseley, rhaseley@elderjusticeny.org .

Location: Center for Elder Law & Justice - 438 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202

Salary Range: Full-time throughout summer. Stipend Amount: $10,000

CELJ is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Employer recruits without regard to sex, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity, and any such candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

About CELJ: 

CELJ is a civil legal services organization fighting for justice, primarily for low-income older adults in Western New York. Our attorneys stop illegal evictions, save clients homes from foreclosure, put a stop to elder domestic violence, fight for public benefits, work with our local immigrant & refugee populations, and represent grandparents and other kinship care relatives in custody and neglect petitions in family court. We also advocate for systems-wide policy changes and work with local elected leaders on legislation that will impact the poor and vulnerable older adults in our area.

CELJ is dedicated to upholding racial equality in our policy work and legal services to address the overarching issues that disproportionately and negatively impact our communities.

Job Description:

Reporting to the Managing Attorney of Policy Work and working alongside the Policy Analyst and Paralegal -

The Law Clerk will be responsible for:

  • Assist in monitoring federal and state legislation and proposed regulation applicable to CELJ’s

    coverage areas on matters impacting older adults and persons with disabilities.

  • Conduct legal and policy research and track policy activity related to CELJ’s programs and mission.

  • Collect data from a variety of sources to inform and support the advocacy of CELJ policy priorities.

  • Draft materials for advocacy initiatives.

  • Collaborate with CELJ staff to advance policy and advocacy agenda.

  • Special projects, as assigned.

  • Provide assessment and best practice to CELJ for implementing an approach to ensure our legal

    work is being done through a racial lens.

Required Qualifications: 

  • Be in good standing at an ABA accredited law school in the US;

  • Have completed at least two (2) full semesters of law school; and must have demonstrated a

    commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion

Each candidate’s application must include a resume and a cover letter with a

statement of the candidate’s commitment to and support of diversity, equity

and inclusion.

For a more detailed explanation of our work, please go to our website at www.elderjusticeny.org.