MPLP Fall Law Clerk

POSITION: Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS) is seeking current law students for a part-time position as a law clerk with the Michigan Poverty Law Program (MPLP) this semester. 

JOB DESCRIPTION: Law clerks work under the supervision of our staff attorneys on all aspects of our work. Law clerk’s work may include conducting client interviews, drafting pleadings,  legal research, appearing in court hearings under the Michigan student practice rule, assessing legal problems, conveying legal advice through oral and written communication, conducting educational seminars for clients,  legal research and writing related to individual cases and broader policy issues, legislative tracking and analysis and other systemic advocacy projects in one or more poverty law areas (housing, public benefits, consumer, foreclosure, family law, and racial justice).

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS: 

Michigan Poverty Law Program: The Michigan Poverty Law Program (MPLP) is a statewide legal resource program located in Ypsilanti. MPLP provides support services statewide to  legal services programs and other poverty law advocates. Our goals are to support the advocacy of civil legal aid programs; to coordinate advocacy for individuals and families with low-income; to assure that a full range of advocacy continues on behalf of the poor; and to lead policy and systemic advocacy and litigation efforts in Michigan on behalf of families with low-income and vulnerable populations. We work directly with local advocates by providing open access to case consultation, co-counseling, or referrals for current clients, and trainings. MPLP is part of the Committee on Regional Training (CORT). CORT is a four-state training consortium that provides substantive law and skills trainings for legal services attorneys in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

MPLP is a program of Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS), a non-profit organization providing free legal services to individuals and families with low-income, Michigan’s immigrant communities, older adults and adults with disabilities through several statewide programs. Visit mplp.org and michigansas.org for more information.

QUALIFICATIONS: Law students must have completed at least one year of law school completed. It is helpful if applicants have experience working with low-income persons and a commitment to assisting underserved populations. Applicants must reside in the state of Michigan while working for MSAS. 

TERMS: MPLP is seeking a law clerk to work 10-20 hours a week from September 1-December 11, 2026. The pay rate is $18/hour. Law clerks have the option of working from MPLP’s Ypsilanti office or remotely. 

TO APPLY: Please complete this application and submit your resume and cover letter. You can also access the application by copying and pasting the following web address into your browser: https://miadvocacy.bamboohr.com/careers/317. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

The Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS) is an equal opportunity employer,
committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.