Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Justice Coordinator Intern

🎯 Role Definition

The Justice Coordinator Intern is a vital, entry-level role dedicated to supporting the programmatic, administrative, and advocacy functions of a justice-oriented organization. This position serves as a key support pillar for full-time staff, enabling the organization to expand its capacity to serve clients, conduct research, and engage with the community. Acting as a bridge between direct service and administrative operations, the intern gains hands-on experience in the mechanics of social and legal justice work. This role is a fantastic opportunity for an emerging professional to apply their academic knowledge in a real-world setting, contributing directly to efforts that promote equity, fairness, and access to justice for marginalized communities.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Undergraduate or Graduate students (Law, Social Work, Public Policy, etc.)
Recent graduates with a demonstrated passion for social justice.
Volunteers or community members seeking to transition into the non-profit sector.

Advancement To:

Paralegal or Legal Assistant
Program Coordinator or Associate
Policy Analyst or Research Associate
Case Manager

Lateral Moves:

Communications Associate (within a non-profit)
Development or Fundraising Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct initial client intake interviews to gather essential case information, assess immediate needs, and determine eligibility for services with empathy and professionalism.
Provide direct support to attorneys and paralegals by assisting with case file management, including organizing documents, tracking deadlines, and maintaining confidential records.
Perform comprehensive legal and policy research on topics such as immigration law, housing rights, criminal justice reform, and civil liberties to support litigation and advocacy campaigns.
Draft, proofread, and format legal documents, correspondence, public testimony, and educational materials under the supervision of senior staff.
Assist in the coordination and execution of community outreach events, educational workshops, and "Know Your Rights" presentations to increase community awareness and engagement.
Communicate with clients to provide case status updates, schedule appointments, and connect them with external social service resources like housing assistance or mental health services.
Help maintain and update the organization's case management system or client database, ensuring all interactions and data are logged accurately and confidentially.
Monitor and track relevant local, state, and federal legislation and policy developments that impact the communities served by the organization.
Attend and summarize key takeaways from coalition meetings, court hearings, community forums, and other relevant external events.
Support advocacy efforts by helping to organize phone banks, draft social media content, and prepare materials for meetings with public officials.
Assist in preparing and filing court documents, ensuring adherence to proper legal formatting and procedural requirements.
Contribute to the creation of grant proposals and reporting by compiling program data, client success stories, and statistical information.
Facilitate language access for clients with limited English proficiency by coordinating with interpreter services or providing direct translation if fluent.
Participate in case review meetings, offering insights and contributing to the strategic planning of individual cases and broader legal strategies.
Develop resource guides and informational pamphlets for clients and the community on frequently encountered legal and social issues.

Secondary Functions

Provide general administrative support to the team, including scheduling meetings, preparing meeting agendas, and taking detailed minutes.
Assist with the planning and logistical coordination of internal team trainings, retreats, and special projects as they arise.
Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to identify trends in client needs or service gaps.
Contribute to the organization's communications efforts by writing blog posts or client stories that highlight the impact of the work.
Collaborate with other departments, such as development or communications, to ensure programmatic work is well-represented and supported organization-wide.
Help maintain an organized and up-to-date physical and digital library of legal resources, training materials, and research.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Research Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough legal and qualitative research using online databases (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis), academic journals, and government sources.
Writing and Drafting: Strong writing skills for creating clear, concise, and persuasive documents, from client correspondence to research memos.
Client Management Systems: Experience with or ability to quickly learn CRM or case management software (e.g., Salesforce, Clio, LegalServer).
Microsoft Office/Google Workspace: High proficiency in Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets, and PowerPoint/Slides for data organization, document creation, and presentations.
Bilingual/Multilingual: Fluency or professional proficiency in a language commonly spoken by the client community (e.g., Spanish, Mandarin, Haitian Creole) is often highly desirable.

Soft Skills

Passion for Social Justice: A deep and genuine commitment to equity, human rights, and the mission of the organization.
Empathy and Cultural Competency: The ability to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds and in crisis situations with compassion, respect, and understanding.
Exceptional Communication: Excellent active listening, verbal, and written communication skills to effectively engage with clients, colleagues, and external partners.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to tasks like data entry, proofreading, and file management to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Time Management and Organization: Proven ability to manage multiple competing tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Resilience and Composure: Ability to handle sensitive, confidential, and emotionally challenging information with maturity and professionalism.
Proactive and Collaborative Spirit: A self-starter who takes initiative but also thrives in a team-oriented environment, willing to pitch in wherever needed.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Currently pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

Currently pursuing a Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Public Policy (MPP), or a graduate degree in a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Law / Pre-Law
Social Work
Public Policy / Public Administration
Political Science
Sociology / Criminology
International Relations / Human Rights

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-2 years. This can include a combination of prior internships, significant volunteer roles, and relevant academic or campus-based work.

Preferred:

Prior experience (volunteer or paid) in a non-profit, community-based organization, legal aid clinic, or government agency.
Lived experience or deep connection to the communities the organization aims to serve.
Demonstrated experience in a role that required direct interaction with clients or the public.