Summer Legal Intern

Overview

Equality Ohio Education Fund (EOEF) is seeking law students for a 12-week Summer Legal Internship with Equality Ohio’s Legal Clinic. Interns will work closely with Staff Attorneys and the Managing Legal Director to support legal services and outreach for LGBTQ+ Ohioans.

Interns will gain hands‑on experience in public interest law, civil rights advocacy and community legal services, while supporting Equality Ohio’s mission to advance fairness and equality for LGBTQ+ people across the state.

This internship runs for 12 weeks during the summer. Interns may work up to 40 hours per week.

• The first week of July will be off.
• Because June is Pride Month, weekends may be busy. Interns are asked to attend at least two Pride events with Equality Ohio during June.
• Please indicate in your cover letter if there are other dates during the summer when you already know you will be unavailable.

Internships are available in the following offices:
Cleveland, Columbus.

Please indicate your preferred location in your cover letter.

This position follows a hybrid work model, combining in‑person and remote work. While most of our team works remotely, Equality Ohio maintains offices in Cleveland and Columbus and presence in the office, in community locations or at Court may be required from time to time. Pride events may require additional travel.

Equality Ohio Education Fund and Equality Ohio were founded in 2005 by a coalition of 65 dedicated LGBTQ+ activists and allies following the passage of a constitutional amendment banning same‑sex marriage and civil unions in Ohio. Since then, the organizations have worked to advance legal protections, change hearts and minds and build power within LGBTQ+ communities across Ohio.

• Intake and outreach to LGBTQ+ individuals needing legal representation.
• Assisting with legal representation for LGBTQ+ individuals with civil legal needs, including drafting pleadings, attending client meetings, and attending court.
• Outreach to LGBTQ & allied attorneys, legal‑service organizations, and LGBTQ‑serving organizations.
• Assisting in representing Equality Ohio community events, such as Pop‑Up Legal Clinics, Pride festivals and Know Your Rights presentations.
• Assisting with the implementation of a Community Legal Needs Assessment.
• Conducting legal research and preparing memoranda of law.
• Drafting and updating LGBTQ+ Know Your Rights pamphlets and brochures.
• Other tasks as assigned.

• Second‑ through fourth‑year law students.
• Familiar with or connected to LGBTQ+ communities.
• Passionate about public interest law and social justice.
• Strong in oral, written and listening communication skills.
• Able to work effectively with diverse communities through an intersectional lens.
• Comfortable with public speaking, outreach and presentations.
• Reliable, adaptable and able to take initiative.

• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Google Workspace / Google Drive
• Legal research tools such as Lexis Nexis, Westlaw, or similar platforms.

Applications will be reviewed and filled on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Preferred office location (Cleveland or Columbus)
• Any known scheduling conflicts during the summer

Equality Ohio Education Fund is committed to building an inclusive and equitable organization. People of color, LGBTQ+ people, and individuals with gender‑expansive identities are strongly encouraged to apply.