MAKE A SERIOUS DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS



Lawyers for Equal Justice (LEJ) seeks a few committed and talented law students who want to make a real difference in the lives of low income families and communities in Hawai`i while enjoying an opportunity to significantly increase their own capacity to engage in complex public interest litigation. We are interested working with volunteers on issues that have the potential to improve our clients' opportunities for achievement through litigation in several important areas of need. 

Opportunities are available for volunteers interested in working on a short term project or establishing a long term relationship with LEJ by combining externship credits, pro bono hours, and/or summer work, with a possible stipend if no other funding is available Candidates selected will receive guidance from LEJ attorneys as well as national substantive law support centers.  Work will range from legal research and writing to client contact and advocacy.  Some examples of areas of current interest include:

Interested candidates should contact LEJ Executive Director, Victor Geminiani, at 587-7605 or by email at vgeminiani@gmail.com.  Alternatively, applicants may mail an expression of interest to Victor at Lawyers for Equal Justice, P.O. Box 37952, Honolulu, Hawai`i 96837-0925

Our program provides a unique opportunity for interns to be involved in developing substantial impact litigation.  Below are testimonials from our prior interns:

P7070797.JPG
 LEJ's intern class of 2010 with Executive Director Victor Geminiani. Pictured left to right: Rebecca Wolitz, Yale; Victor Geminiani, LEJ Executive Director; Jessica Freedman, Univ. of Hawaii; Dylan Casey, NYU; and Matt Choy, Yale. 
"My summer clerkship with LEJ was both fun and educationally rewarding.  I not only received a valuable introduction to public interest law, but I had the opportunity to work on several substantive issues of importance to the low-income people of Hawaii.  While each intern has a different set of projects, our work often went beyond legal research and writing, taking us out of the office. I participated in outreach visits to shelters, attended a client meeting, andconducted interviews with community members.  Because LEJ is a small organization, interns are given sizable responsibilities and our work assignments, by necessity, are meaningful.  Interns, moreover, have constant and individualized contact with attorneys.  The office atmosphere is laidback, collegial, yet fervently devoted to making systemic change." Rebecca Wolitz, 2L, Yale Law School, 2010.
choy.JPG "During my summer at LEJ I was able to work with a great team of law students and attorneys, collaborating on a study of Hawaii's eviction process.  Although only an undergraduate, I was given substantial writing and research opportunities.  The work environment allowed me a lot of independence, but also as much guidance as I needed.  The attorneys and law students were always friendly and helpful. I also felt like everything I did was contributing to important reform that would help real people. Perhaps the best thing I can say about LEJ is that if LEJ is what law is about, I would like to go to law school." Matt Choy, Senior, Yale University, 2010.
Picture of Interns and Staff
Former interns Mia Munro, Josh Gange and
Whitney Patross with Elizabeth Dunne
(LEJ Senior Attorney) at a hot spot, Hotel 39,
in Honolulu.

"I loved my summer working at LEJ. I felt encouraged to take responsibility and given a great deal of flexibility with my projects. At the same time, the attorneys would not hesitate to contribute their considerable knowledge and expertise if I had any questions. Working in such a small organization allowed me to see firsthand the many challenges and rewards of advocacy work. I was impressed with the flexibility and resolve with which LEJ approaches poverty law issues in Hawaii. I would highly encourage other law students looking into a career in public interest advocacy to spend a summer with LEJ Hawaii. I learned a great deal and my experience has further encouraged me to pursue a career in public interest after law school." Dylan Casey, NYU School of Law, 2010.

As a summer intern with LEJ, I learned about poverty law and the unique legal needs of Hawaii’s low income community.  My summer work included analyzing the rights of public housing residents, conducting research on Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment public benefits, and researching and collecting data on Hawaii’s summary possession (eviction) process for an eviction defense study set to come out in the coming months.  I witnessed first-hand the benefits conferred on society and individuals by public interest organizations and legal service providers.  My work and the work of the other legal interns laid the foundation for Lawyers for Equal Justice to pursue both litigation and legislative advocacy into the next year. Jessica Freedman, University of Hawaii School of Law, 2010.

"LEJ provided me with a truly wonderful introduction to public interest law.  At LEJ I was able to further develop the legal analytical and lawyering skills I learned during my first year at NYU Law.  Not only did I do substantial legal research in a number of interesting areas related to public education and foster care, but I also talked directly to members of the Hawaii community about these issues, and I felt like I was actually making a difference.  Additionally, I was given the opportunity to attend a court hearing, attend depositions, and was able to interview potential plaintiffs for a public housing case.  The LEJ staff was always open to my thoughts on any direction I should take in my research, and always made sure that my experience was rewarding.  I would recommend an internship at LEJ to any law student with an interest in public interest work, and especially to any students with an interest in helping the under-represented people of Hawaii." Mia Munro, NYU Law, 2009.

"I had never been to Hawaii before my internship with Lawyers for Equal Justice and had no idea what to expect when I boarded a plane bound for Honolulu, but I figured that in the worst case scenario I would spend a summer exploring the islands.  At LEJ I quickly became occupied with some on-going projects, and began a research project of my own.  Because of the small office it was very easy to get involved and the supervising attorneys were both friendly and helpful.  I really enjoyed spending the summer learning about class action litigation and appreciated all the help and guidance." Whitney Patross, Cornell Law, 2009..

LEJ provided the rare opportunity to be truly involved with any and all aspects of public interest litigation. I really appreciated the ability to customize my work over the summer to focus on areas that were of the greatest interest to me. While working on issues of environmental justice, I was able to meet with other non-profit organizations and community groups, leard about the issues and history affecting Hawaiian communities, and therefore felt as though my research could really be beneficial. I highly recommend LEJ for anyone who desires to work in a small and friendly office where they will be given interesting topics and freedom to customize their research and experience." Josh Gange, NYU Law, 2009.

Click here for a guide to living in Honolulu for the summer.

About our Organization

Established in 2004 as a nonprofit legal aid program, LEJ is dedicated to achieving fairness and justice for Hawaii’s people through systemic advocacy including class action representation, judicial and legislative advocacy and partnerships with other providers of services to the low income community. LEJ seeks to provide leadership and advocacy when other organizations cannot.